Depression Counselling in Markham, ON.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.

If you are reading this profile, you are probably concerned about yourself to the point that you want to seek help. You may feel depressed, hopeless and helpless. You are frustrated that you cannot do or enjoy things you used to be. You may want to be heard and get supported but do not want to be around with people etc... You probably even know that you are experiencing symptoms of depression but not sure if how to feel better, like your normal self again. With over 12 years of clinical experiences, I humbly and wholeheartedly want to support you to get better. There are evident-based and effective approaches. Please don't hesitate to reach out and start to get the help you need now.

When struggling with depressed moods, everything feels heavy and you lack a sense of meaning and purpose. Even the most simple tasks can feel impossible. If you find yourself turning to alcohol, substances, or other addictive behaviours to cope with depressed moods, there is a way out. I help clients with addictions overcome the depressed moods causing them to turn to substances or addictive behaviours to cope. Everyone is different, so I work with you to develop a plan that fits your unique situation. If you are unsure where to start, send me a message. If I'm not the right fit, I can connect you to resources that will allow you to start getting help today, without having to wait.

Aside from bio-chemical imbalances in one's body, depression can arise from a number of situational and relational factors. We can explore how any of these can be understood, responded to, and lived with in a way which can help to alleviate depressive challenges. It can be difficult to gain awareness of what's not right, and how to get things right, when you're battling just to survive. Our work together can help to clarify what's happening, and how to put helpful coping practices to work.

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.

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 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).

Depression is like falling into a deep hole and you can't seem to get out. Using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Solution Focused Therapy, and Emotion Focused Therapy, I can help you manage your depression so that it won't negatively impact your relationships, jobs, and health. Even as little as a few sessions, you will see that you are not as stuck and able to make movement in life. You will gain a sense of control and joy into your life.

I often describe depression as 20lb weights around your ankles as you try to tread water. Being available and supportive in a client's experience of depression is a meaningful experience. I feel at times that it's like tossing a lifesaver out to someone who is drowning and maybe overwhelmed for too long. Being present, encouraging small steps forward, in a compassionate way is a privilege every time.

Depression can cast a shadow over every aspect of life, but there is a way forward. In a compassionate and non-judgmental space, we'll work together to understand and alleviate the symptoms of depression. I'm here to support you on your journey towards renewed hope and self-empowerment. Reach out for a free consultation, and let's begin your path to healing.

Getting to the root of one's depression, why it occurs, and how it presents itself is imperative in understanding how one can remedy it. By working with clients to explore and comprehensively understand their depression, we will be able to better manage, mitigate, or eliminate the cognitions, behaviours, and feelings tied to our depression. How we became depressed is only the first step in ones work on depression; figuring out how to create change, support, and maintain change is the bulk of it.

I define Depression as having an "Emotional Fever." If you're running an emotional fever and find it difficult to recover. Hire me as your counselor/coach and I will help you: 1) understand the reasons of your depression, 2) learn to read your emotional thermometer, 3) track your emotional fever, 4) establish a nurse-patient self-care relationship, and 5) build a strong support system. As a bonus, I will include a thermometer (at no cost). You will be able to take your or someone's emotional temperature quickly and easily. I have helped 1000's of people (young & old) recover from short and long term depression. Give me a try. I can help.....

A feeling of emptiness, loss of motivation, trouble concentrating, a felt sense of sadness that is hard to explain. These are the some of the signs of depression. I can support you as we explore your personal symptoms and experiences with depression. It takes courage to reach out for support. I can offer a safe space and work with you as you find a path to well-being.

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.

The good news on this dark subject is that there is hope! Depression is very treatable and you can and will feel better with a multifaceted approach. First, you will need to discuss this with your doctor and/or psychiatrist for the possible medical aspects but then, combined with the right therapeutic techniques and a safe, supportive therapist (like me! :) you will learn to regulate your mood, find new ways of managing stress and difficult emotions, make needed changes in your life, and begin to recover from underlying pain and past trauma. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your treatment so don't hesitate to call me!

Winnie's approach to depression draws primarily from Cognitive- Behavior Therapy. If you feel that you don't have the energy to do things, or even get up in the morning, then come in for counselling. Counselling can help you to explore what is the bothering you emotionally, understand yourself better, and learn how to see or understand the issues from a better perspective