Depression Counselling in Whitby, ON.

Depression is a series of symptoms that can persist and impact all areas of a persons life, and make living feel like moving through mud. Often, depression tells us to stay quiet and alone, but healing happens when we reach out for help. Therapy for depression can offer insight, connection, compassion and plans for symptom management. Connection is an important element in recovering from depression, and therapy can help give a voice and a space for you to find support.

Depression can affect many aspects of your life, making even everyday tasks feel overwhelming. I offer a compassionate and evidence-based approach to help you navigate these challenges. Using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic techniques, we work to identify and address negative thought patterns, build coping skills, and explore underlying issues. My goal is to support you in finding relief and developing strategies for long-term well-being. Contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to start working towards a brighter and more hopeful future.

Depression hurts and is becoming epidemic in our society. However, depression is a treatable condition and there are effective approaches that can help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness so you can keep moving forward, learn how to face life’s challenges with greater resilience and regain a sense of well-being. I work from the best evidence- based therapies for depression: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Solution Focused Therapy and Art Therapy to help you overcome the mental habits leading to despair, rumination, and self-blame so you can repossess the sense of hope, joy and life balance.

Depression not only affects your mood state, but also your -- *behavior, *the way you look at yourself, *relationship with people around you and *physical and organic function. Gestalt therapy emphasizes your capacity to develop your potential. In therapy with me change will take place through the relational experience, and increased awareness, this process, is what gives meaning to discovery to you. In Gestalt therapy, what is considered is your totality, a combination of your sensorial, affective, intellectual, social, and spiritual dimensions (Brownell, 2010). Studies show that the patients treated with Gestalt demonstrated fewer depressive symptoms following the intervention.

When I work with people who are weighed down with symptoms of depression, I find that it is important to remember two things: go slowly, and go together. Employing a trauma informed, family systems and somatic lens to what you are experiencing can help provide insight into how to move through and manage it. Journeying with clients through their depression is a great honour, and is something I take very seriously. I find that for many people, holding onto hope that things could be different, is something that can seem too much. Part of my commitment to working through depression is that, until you are ready, I will hold onto hope for both us.

I work with clients to improve low mood and other symptoms of depression including, motivation, focus/concentration, social isolation, fatigue, guilt/shame, irritability and loss of interest in usually enjoyable activities. I work with the client to address their inner critic which often works to maintain symptoms of depression and use behavioural activation to break the cycle of depression. I encourage self-compassion and take a gentle approach that empowers the client and helps to renew a lost sense of hope.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I have been severely clinically depressed several times in my life. I know how it feels to be in a dark hole yet be unable to rise above and function normally again. But I can help. I have been a psychologist since 1986. I know all the techniques and I have a good understanding of the right physical interventions to help you as well. Book a session today by simply going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

Are you looking for better ways to cope? Do you feel sad, unmotivated, hopeless, or like everything is slowing down? We can assist you to live a better quality of life by helping you to explore the issue related to your struggle, by helping you to understand that issue, and by helping you to increase your sense of hope about yourself, about the world, and about the future. We understand that seeking therapy can be daunting, we appreciate your courage in seeking therapy, and we are committed to collaborating with you in a safe, non-judgmental, and caring environment.

Solutions and supportive appraoches to effectively help people suffering from depressed mood include, cognitive-behavioural and narrative therapy, often combined with interpersonal /relationship assessment utilizing a family and social systems approach. These therapies are well grounded in clinical research and literature. Through a guided exploration of thoughts, feelings and behaviours related to sadness and depression, people can identify the factors contributing to imbalances in mood, thereby discovering solutions and strategies for positive cognitive shifting, behavioural changes and spiritual growth. While the work is challenging, it can also be light-hearted and even fun at times !

People are often faced with moments of sadness which can sometimes lead to chronic sadness. My work with clients could involve deep reprocessing of certain memories related to depression which allow clients new insights into how to face their depression. Further to this, by guiding clients on their recovery from depression, we are able to pinpoint aspects that must be addressed to help the recovery process which may include mindfulness, thoughts, and/or behaviors.

In my approach to counseling those facing depression, I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help clients understand and reshape their emotional responses. By exploring the patterns that fuel depression, we work together to build a foundation of emotional resilience and connection. This process empowers clients to develop a greater sense of self-acceptance and deeper connections with others, helping them find relief, renewed hope, and the skills to navigate future challenges with confidence.