Depression Counselling in Courtenay, BC.

Many people these days experience depression and yet the severity of the symptoms and impacts on your life can vary greatly. You may want to seek out counselling if you are experiencing some signs of depression such as fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping, doing less of the activities you enjoy, weight loss, anxiety, difficultly concentrating and paying attention, or a general unhappiness with your life. Treatment for depression can address the symptoms and also explore what is required to overcome into the future. Benefits for treating depression are limitless and include a greater sense of day to day well-being, enhanced relationships, more job satisfaction, enhanced self esteem.

We are first interested in the context and history of the depression or sadness and what may it potentially be in response to. We understand that it is normal to feel extreme sadness in the face of trauma, violence, grief and loss, etc. We also know that clinical depression is something that deserves intentional support and intervention. We work to understand and provide the best support for each individual or family.

When one is depressed the range of thoughts and feelings encompass a wide spectrum. Sadness and despair might be pervasive. One can feel as if they have fallen into a deep dark pit where everything is covered in negativity and hopelessness. In this state, one can feel inadequate, discouraged, unable or unwilling to make decisions. In addition, guilt, shame, profound low self-esteem and loss of interest in relationships, sex, career and even life itself are commonly found. A variety of evidence-based tools, specific to the needs of the individual, applied skillfully at the right time, can dramatically lift one out of that deep, dark pit and help avoid relapse.

The circumstances and issues that you are dealing with are unique to you, but you don't have to face them alone. Every individual has different experiences, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, beliefs, values, attitudes, cultural backgrounds and "upbringings". Counselling sessions are private and confidential, and can provide a way for you to explore your problems and really tune in to your feelings. This is an opportunity to speak freely about your circumstances and release pent up feelings, without having to worry about what others think or feel, and without receiving unwanted advise from family, friends or coworkers. At the root of the problem, there are very real, legitimate and understandable reasons for feeling the way you feel, thinking the way...(view profile to read more)

Do you feel like you're stuck in a never-ending cycle of sadness, hopelessness, and fatigue? Do you struggle to find joy in things you once loved? Do you feel isolated and alone, even when surrounded by family and friends? If you're struggling with depression, know that you're not alone and there is help available. As a specialist in depression counselling, I have the expertise and experience to support you in overcoming your challenges and reclaiming your life. Through my personalized approach, I will work with you to identify the root causes of your depression and develop a plan to help you manage your symptoms, explore practical strategies to boost your mood, and find lasting relief.

The psychology part of my biopsychsocial approach to depression is Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural therapy. In cultivating a mindfulness practice we are able to bring our feelings and thought to the present. Since the hallmark of depression is ruminating on our past actions and circumstances, MCBT can help undermine the power of those thoughts on our mental wellness. Through making connections in group care and partnering with yoga studios we can create holistic emotional tool belts to treat depression and prevent the onset of future episodes. I have a passion for working with women with postpartum depression.

Depression can be experienced in a magnitude of ways and is often experienced differently by each individual. Symptoms may range from feeling increasingly irritable, experiencing a sense of emptiness and hopelessness, and an individual often will feel completely overwhelmed, losing interest in activities they once enjoyed. Depression may also be experienced physically. Physical symptoms may include, but are not limited to a lack of energy, problems sleeping, pronounced weight changes, and eventually, even serious illness. In cases of mild to moderate depression, there is an increasing amount of research supporting counselling as effective as medication in improving a person’s mood. Many clients have been referred to counselling by their family doctor when...(view profile to read more)