Depression Counselling in Thunder Bay, ON.

Depression is such a terrible feeling........that absence of feeling anything. It's a dark place to get, and like most human experiences has a lifespan, particularly if we cast every vote we have to contribute to mobilizing ourselves slowly- getting the trajectory heading in another direction through our own small efforts. Depression deserves so much self compassion, and some challenging of those distorted thoughts depression loves to tell us are the truth.

Major Depression is a mental health problem that afflicts many people. Its painful effects can impair the ability to function normally and live a happy, productive life. My approach to counselling depression is based on Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behavioural therapies. This combined approach can help clients learn how to identify, dispute, and replace negative thoughts and beliefs about self, others, the world, and God, which often maintain their depression. Homework assignments are completed between sessions to assist clients to practice skills learned in therapy as part of the treatment.

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.

In our work together, you can expect gentle exploration and guidance around your experience of depression and it’s impacts on your life. I aim to help clients find meaning and purpose in the face of low mood and lack of energy. I use Narrative and Solution-Focused therapies to dive into ways we can make small and significant changes in the direction of your goals. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit.

As a therapist, I've witnessed the transformative power of therapy in treating depression. Through our sessions, we embark on a collaborative journey to explore the root causes of depression, whether they stem from past experiences, current stressors, or chemical imbalances. Together, we work to identify and challenge negative thought patterns, replacing them with more adaptive and empowering beliefs. Therapy provides a safe and non-judgmental space for clients to express their emotions, helping them feel heard and understood.

Depression can touch our lives on many levels, affecting how we think, how we feel and even what we do. Counselling can help you learn new skills and strategies to manage the thoughts and feelings that surface in depression, and help you begin taking steps to improve your situation. It can be possible to stop struggling with those thoughts and feelings and take back your life.

Depression can be a powerful, debilitating condition that has a profound impact on our quality of life. Whether the depression is situational, or more of a chronic nature, I will work with you in a therapeutic manner to develop a wellness plan that best meets your needs and abilities. Accessing additional family and community resources, where appropriate, can also be a part of our treatment plan.

I use an integrative non-pathologizing approach that validates the human condition. We all experience low mood and may live with symptoms of depression but I work with clients to accept and understand how they can be curious about what it is that keeps them feeling stuck in that low mood when they are in need of deep rest. Learning how to regulate our emotions supports our ability to maintain a balanced life. We have the power to switch from our fight/flight/freeze state to our rest/relax/digest state. Mindfully and with compassion, we can find a way through this together. Depressive symptoms often shows up with anxious symptoms and vice versa.

Depression can manifest itself in many ways and be triggered by a variety of factors. It is often accompanied by anxiety and can lead to isolation and poor coping mechanisms. We begin depression treatment with cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns, and blend in interpersonal therapy, which focuses on relationships and communication. By tailoring treatment, we're able to ensure each client gets help that meets them where they're at

Sometimes men don't see depression as depression. It can just feel like your irritable all the time. You get easily frustrated and lash out at others. You start avoid the relationships in your life. You get home from work and you go be by yourself. This isn't helping though. It helps you escape the pressure of everything and everyone else. (Until the guilt pops back up later). You're tired though. And thinking about how to tackle this seems more exhausting. Let's start getting perspective on this so you can find where to go from here. You deserve to feel better. You deserve to manage your emotions and relationships with confidence.