Depression Counselling in Aurora, ON.

You have been down for such a long time, or maybe you go in and out of feeling blue and want to get off the rollercoaster. I use Emotion Focused Therapy to help you explore and experience safely the emotional spectrum that underlies depression. I will work slowly and carefully with you to help you to resolve the heaviness that has robbed you for too long so that you can be more resilient and joyful in life.

Studies have shown that psychotherapy for depression can be as effective as taking antidepressants. Depression can range from mild feelings of sadness and emptiness to all-encompassing, fully debilitating darkness. If you are experiencing feelings of depression, emptiness, hopelessness, and sadness and are finding it difficult to function in your day to day life, psychotherapy can be helpful in helping you to understand what is going on with you and help you to rise up from the depths to lead a more satisfying and meaningful life. It can also assist you in re-engaging in the process of living and in relationships with the people who are important to you.

In many cases, I view depression as an "alarm bell" that tells the individual that there is something wrong in their life. Have they turned their anger in life toward themselves? Are they not living their best, or preferred, life? Is there something that's happened in their life that is getting them down, but they don't realize how much power it truly has? Depression can also be about learned helplessness, or having a sense, through experience, that there is no point in even trying at something. Such helplessness can come from feeling defeated, feeling significant guilt about something, & even from self-defeating 'self-talk' that an individual engages in (without completely realizing it).

Shyamala has extensive experience working with clients that struggle with feelings of sadness and depression, including experience working collaboratively with a medical team. Her approach includes cognitive behavioural therapy to help clients in coping with the symptoms of depression and creating a plan to move forward, as well as exploring patterns of emotional regulation that may lead to longer term success in managing this very common issue.

In my practice, I offer compassionate and effective support for individuals navigating the challenges of depression. Depression can impact every aspect of a person's life, from their thoughts and emotions to their daily functioning and relationships. My approach is grounded in creating a safe and empathetic space where clients can openly explore their feelings and experiences. Through evidence-based therapeutic modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, and more, I work collaboratively with clients to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and set realistic goals.

Depression presents in various forms and has many different features. When working with me, you will find that space is created to explore the experience of depression, its influence on different aspects of your life, and how you can work through these challenges as they arise. If you are hoping to find solace in your experience, I invite you to contact me for a free consultation to see if we would be a good fit.

Depression is different from ordinary sadness. With sadness, the person experiences a negative event, cries, and grieves over what happened. Afterward, the person feels a little bit better. Depression, on the other hand, occurs when the person falls into a pattern of negative thinking and inactivity. It is associated with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. After an episode of depression the person does not feel any better. Treatment of depression largely involves teaching people skills to identify and modify negative thinking patterns; reversing withdrawal from activities; finding ways of managing or solving life problems; developing acceptance for things that cannot be changed.

Experiencing big emotional ups and downs is normal, but there can be times when it feels like the lows are getting longer, more frequent, and harder to deal with. Therapy should be a safe space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone who offers you empathy, authenticity, and acceptance. I work collaboratively with clients to explore how feelings of depression show up in their lives, and to strengthen and develop strategies to minimize the impact they have on living the life you want to live. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Many years ago depression was called melancholia and was not considered so negatively as it is in our current "performance" focused culture. We are expected to be "up" continuously in today's busy life-styles, with work, children, relationships, and even in our playtime. The result of this sort of expectation can be debilitating and certainly can lead to long bouts of feeling out of control, unfulfilled, unmotivated and ultimately immobilized. Depression can certainly be dealt with through very effective therapeutic techniques. I work with clients to better understand the root cause of their sadness and help them to look at the possible meaning behind their depression and how to best cope.

Have you lost all interest and pleasure in what used to bring you joy? Are you feeling hopeless and wondering if you're worthy? Instead of worrying, wouldn't you rather have energy, relief, and focus? Wouldn’t it be a relief to have someone hear your thoughts, knowing you won't be judged? Would it be appealing to have someone listen to you with compassion?

Our team will determine a unique treatment plan that is unique to your life. There are many symptoms of depression, which can vary from mild to severe. Several factors can contribute to depression such as, biochemistry, genetics, personality, and environmental factors. Depression can be treated using different approaches. Everyone is affected by depression differently, thus, treatment plans are unique to the individual Our team of professionals will work with you in order to find treatment options that work best for you and your life.