Depression Counselling in Cardston, AB.

Depression often comes from certain styles of thinking and making meaning. It does not have to be a permanent state. Together we can explore how you think, communicate and act that gives you the blues and what you can change to be happy and find meaning in life again. Depression not only affects your health but the welfare of those around you. Why prolong a misery? Take steps to cross over this trough and reclaim your vitality!

Our thinking and our behaviors can have a significant impact on our mood. Learning to understand the core beliefs that we carry and how they cause us to engage in distorted thinking can make a difference to our mood and joy in life. Changing our actions, can impact how we feel. Motivation and energy are low - making change difficult! Work with me to determine the best ways to get you back to a point of experiencing joy.

In our sessions, we will explore the factors that contribute to feelings of depression and low mood and practice skill-building. We can learn to identify and shift the thinking patterns, accept and process our emotions, and detach ourselves from any expectations that may be keeping us stuck. We can also learn new ways to relate to ourselves and support ourselves through depression.

Depression is on the rise in not only Canada but around the world. There a variety of reasons why this is - I have come to believe its the rise of a society that is busy and not taking care of themselves emotionally and physically. We are focused on the future and not enough on the present. Counselling allows a person to slow down and be in the present. People can then receive care and support as they walk through their feelings, thoughts and stories of their life.

Depression is finally being recognized and accepted as something that any person can experience. I do not believe that there is any one “magic cure” for depression. However, when given the option, the most productive approach seems to be a combination of medication (natural-based or not, depending on preference) and one-on-one therapy (not to exclude group therapy as an additional resource). Without being too simplistic, the root of most depressions is the presence of anger which has been turned inward. Most of my clients have responded well to therapy when they are given a safe, non-judgmental place to explore the roots of their anger (see notation on “Anger Management”).

Depression counselling starts by ruling out physical issues by your physician, such as: thyroid, anemia, diabetes, or consuming too much alcohol. After taking a case history and doing a few assessments. You and I will review what I think I see what is happening. We then discuss the different treatment options. For example, if self-esteem seems to be the basis for your depression, then we will do cognitive exercises that will help you to think in a more positive manner about yourself. I often bring in EMDR and Hypnosis to help reinforce the sessions and provides relapse treatment.

Many people may view depression as unhappiness, but, it is simply more than that. Depression can affect sleep, appetite, sex, pain, energy levels, and emotions. Experiencing depression can make a person feel alone, isolated, stuck, and hopeless. If depression has come knocking at your door, I am here to help you open the door and assist in understanding and managing symptoms. You are not alone and you don't have to figure this out on your own.

Research has clearly demonstrated that mindfulness-based approaches to depression are so powerful that they can reduce the chances of having a relapse by 50%! That's a big deal. A depressed mind is busy creating all kinds of negative thoughts. Mindfulness-based therapy will teach you a new way to relate to your thoughts. You don't have to believe everything you think! Especially the bad stuff, becuse it's often not true.

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.