Depression Counselling in Oak Bay, BC.

I am honoured that you are interested in my services and I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have been described as slightly non-conventional in the counselling world, which suits me perfectly, and also tends to suit youth who are trying to stand up to the force of the problems in their life. I am very comfortable working with this population, and I feel fortunate that I can connect with teens the way I do, conventionally or in a way that makes sense to them.

Depression can be experienced in a multitude of ways and often differently by each person. Depression can leave an individual feeling overwhelmed, a loss interested in activities that they used to enjoy, feel a lack of energy, have difficulty sleeping, experienced pronounced weight changes, and even serious illness. You do not have to suffer or feel alone. We will work with you to uncover the elements to your depression and help you to regain enjoyment and satisfaction in your life.

Dr. Sloat's therapeutic approach* to treating depression stems from her belief that depression is best treated while a person is feeling well. Although she acknowledges that depression should also be treated while acute, she also recognizes that depression tends to be episodic for long term sufferers, and the best way to long term success is to create tools and strategies while well that inoculate against further episodes. In short, Dr. Sloat describes her approach as "Depression Management". *Approach includes CBT, i.e., Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Caught under a dark and weighty cloud that affects your thoughts, mood, emotions and behaviour? Maybe you're having trouble concentrating, remembering things or even contemplating suicide. Facing depression can alleviate feelings of sadness, worthlessness, guilt, restlessness, emptiness, irritability (just to name a few!). You may also feel relief from more physical symptoms such as a loss of energy and appetite, aches and pains, and digestive problems. Building on the joy and vitality that you may be overlooking in your life, we will pull you out of your pit of despair and teach you how to walk the path with no giant holes!

Nothing can zap joy from life as quickly and devastatingly as depression can. I will help you move through the fog of depression to understand how our perceptions affect our mood and reality and how to shift to a place where we have more control over our reactions, our beliefs and feelings, and ultimately our behaviours. Understanding why we find ourselves in the place we do is important but it is not useful if we don't also develop the skills to move out of harmful and damaging places.

Those who suffer with Depression know that it is far more than being sad. It is a pall, a darkness, a fog that permeates every part of your existence and sucks the life out of every joy. It is also a complex and complicated knot to untangle. Sometimes depression can be a mask for shame that has been carried from our family of origin. Our work on your experience of Depression will offer practical skills, which can start to ease some of the heaviness. I will also support you to get underneath the pain and discover what is fueling that story and that experience. Any of this will be in concert with, not take the place of, therapeutic medication prescribed by your Doctor.

Depression is tricky. Depression causes a lowered mood, fatigue, and decreased motivation. Sometimes, Depression goes unnoticed by friends and family. It can appear like everything in your life should be fine, but inside, it's a struggle to get out of bed. I provide a non-judgmental space to explore the areas of your life impacted by depression. You will learn alternative coping mechanisms to help ease future symptoms of depression.

My approach is to work with you to understand all of the many layers of your life which may have caused your depression. Then we can collaboratively develop a plan for getting better, one step at a time. I use therapies such as CBT, ACT, and EMDR as needed to speed your recovery in collaboration with you. Most important is our therapeutic relationship and connection for change you can count on.

My approach to dealing with depression is to face it on two levels. First, there are the cognitive behavioural treatment options to address the basic skills needed just to get through each day. We will build a strategy together and I will help to keep you on track. Then the real therapy begins. Together, in a safe manner and at an acceptable pace, we will unveil some of your defences and rediscover your trapped potential - the part of you that gives life real meaning and purpose. I truly believe your life means something and that you have purpose.

Depression is usually marked by a change in eating habits, sleep, and energy levels. The person may suffer from isolation and a sense of worthlessness. I work to draw out my clients' concerns and deeper thoughts as well as their doubtful concerns. Every person has the potential of drifting into a depressed states, and some people live here a lot. But sharing one's personal thoughts and unmet needs is a powerful way to draw a person out of their depression. I also focus on some of their past successes, even in situations that appear to be futile. We all have the power to survive and overcome, even when things seem hopeless. Bearing witness to the moments of success, contribute to forward moti

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)

I believe depression can be the body and mind's way of protesting against aspects of life that are uncomfortable and may not be working anymore. Exploring depression requires patience, gentleness and willingness to wonder what else your life could be. We will look at areas of your life that are successful and work together to find ways to transfer these feelings into all aspects of your life. Depression doesn't have to be a lifelong experience.

Depression tries to protect us in different ways: it isolates us so we don’t have to suffer the pain of rejection. It helps us avoid situations where it perceives vulnerability as too risky. It rationalizes our status quo by telling us we don’t deserve any better. My approach with depression is to make friends with it. What is it protecting you from? What soul-calling is it barring you from? When we understand how depression is serving you, we can start to build some self-compassion and self-acceptance. Once you begin to relate to yourself differently, you can start —slowly and at your own pace—to open up to the world and your own potential. Ready to feel lighter? Let’s get started.

I am available to support at any point in your experience of depression. Recovery from a episode of depression can take time, warmth, patience and small steps. Prevention can involve learning about thought patterns, reducing triggers, plans for action, consultation with other health professionals and lifestyle changes. Some approaches I draw on include, talk therapy, mindfulness, EMDR (eye movement desentization and reprocessing) and CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy).

When you are depressed you may feel sad, weepy, hopeless, helpless, unmotivated, maybe sleep too much or not enough and also lose interest in sexuality, your friends and activities. These feelings last a long time and are really hard on relationships. You may think that you will never be happy again. You may have tried drugs but now want to take charge yourself of the changes you want to feel in your life. Counseling starts with your story of what is happening. I will ask lots of questions to help you get a clear idea of the causes and patterns in your life. We'll work on coping strategies and maybe try therapies like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You'll feel more content with your life.

Depression is a debilitating condition, characterized by feelings of sadness, emptiness, and hopelessness. People who are experiencing depression my lose interest or pleasure in activities they normally enjoy, lose or gain weight, sleep too much or too little, feel fatigued, and have difficulty concentrating. I use a combination of somatic, cognitive, narrative, and self-focused therapies to unlock your own inner healing strength and potential for change.

Sometimes feeling sad, stuck, and hopeless is something that can be shifted with support and some fairly straightforward strategies. At other times, depressed feelings can be signs of complex processes that take time to unravel and sometimes lead to profound transformations. Still at other times, stuck emotions and energies can be moved through experiential processes. Ultimately, feelings of depression and their resolution are unique to your life. Even though ways out can be challenging to see when we’ve been feeling stuck for some time, there are many ways through. I'll help you find the one that works for you.

Depression can feel like a wet blanket you wear around you day in and day out. You may find it hard to remember what if felt like before or have hope that you will ever feel normal again. The most valuable thing I can do for a client with depression is to inspire hope, to help you regain your confidence and recover a positive, constructive outlook on life. My therapeutic approach for helping clients move through their depression incorporates a compassionate and nonjudgmental acceptance so important to supporting changes in ourselves.

Depression is very common amongst a lot of people. Most of us go through various ups and downs in our life, and sometimes we need a little help getting through a down period. When a client is depressed, similar to when a client is angry, I would help them in determining the root cause of the depression as it is critical for treatment planning. Once determined, we would discuss a treatment plan together that is realistically attainable. I would empower my client to recognize their strengths and abilities to manage their depression, such as looking at similar situations from their past that they have managed successfully.

Clients have talked about being down there in ‘the pit’, not being able to see any light, only darkness with no path. You are doing less and less, you are losing motivation to connect with others, or even get out of bed. Using behavioural activation, where we listen to or thoughts instead of our feelings, we can pull ourselves out of the downward spiral of depression. Sometimes that means treating trauma too. With help, imagine someone throws down some tools and materials, we make a plan to build a ladder, and with support and encouragement, you get yourself out of that pit. I know there's a path and I have helped others find it.

Depression includes low mood, feelings of sadness or hopelessness, diminished interest in activities, fatigue, change in appetite or sleeping behaviour, diminished ability to concentrate, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, and suicidal ideation. These symptoms cause impairment in an individuals’ social, occupational, or other areas. Therapy for depression typically involves cognitive-behavioural therapy, where thoughts, feelings, and beliefs are investigated, cognitive-restructuring, and learning new skills and coping strategies. At the outcome of therapy, individuals can experience more energy and joy, greater peace, clarity, connectedness, self worth, hope, and improved functioning.

At Gravitate Counselling Inc., all of our counsellors use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in their counselling approach. This means that you can expect your counsellor to actively engage in helping you learn and practice new thought processes and behaviour patterns that can help alleviate the symptoms of depression that you may be experiencing. The counsellors in our group practice offer online video counselling to clients struggling with depression. Each has a unique style, but all of us can help. Looking for a BIPOC counsellor in BC? Chanelle might be the right fit! Are you wanting to improve your self awareness and self compassion? Then Linda might be a great choice!

Using Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Shelley helps clients with depression explore their distorted thinking that leads to feeling hopeless and defeated. By reframing their negative thoughts clients can begin to see their world in a more positive and empowered perpective. Shelley helps clients to embrace themselves in a compassionate and empathic way, and to explore what they can learn, or change in their life that might come from this difficult time. The concept Pain in the Service of Growth helps clients to understand that their negative feelings might be an indication that something needs to change and to feel supported in making those changes, with Shelley's guidance and encouragement.

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.

Are you looking for therapeutic help in learning about cognitive strategies for managing depression? Are you wanting a compassionate space to reflect and gain deeper insights into your experience with depression? Are you wanting time for deeper spiritual exploration into your experience with depression? Depression is often complex and does not respond to a "one strategy fits all" approach. Together, we will develop an approach that involves a combination of clinically sound methods that meets your needs in helping you to cope with the daily challenges of living with depression.