Depression Counselling in Port Alberni, BC.

Depression is something that all humans share, whether they are able to admit it or not. However, when that depression impacts our functionality to a point where it intrudes and prevents us from being & feeling whole, learning new skills and methods to manage our feelings, can be the difference for some between life and having no life. Using a variety of techniques drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Reality/Choice Theory, Solution Focused & Existential Therapy, we can examine how our minds blend our worries, stress, fears, doubts, self-esteem, self-image, concerns and projections into a soup mix that threatens to overwhelm us, and halt it in its tracks. You can learn to rise above it.

Are you struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in once-loved activities or feeling helpless and hopeless? The lethargic and foggy shutdown of depression can make everything in life feel just a few inches out of reach. The good news is that depression is readily treatable. I would be glad to help you explore what is keeping your body stuck in numb disconnection. Next, we form a plan to help you back to your best self. Together we tackle here-and-now symptoms with strategies of mindfulness and CBT, while also untying old knots from the past with emotion-focused and inner-child work. The heaviness of depression is your body asking for care. Are you ready to answer its call?

Depression can be a debilitating mental health issue, but the good news is there are excellent therapies out there designed to help treat it! Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be one of the most effective treatments in helping with depression. CBT is a shorter term and skills-based therapy intended to help individuals learn strategies to better manage their mood and improve the quality of their life. I'd be happy to discuss more about CBT for depression with you!

Olivia is passionate about supporting individuals struggling with depression and the deep isolation it often brings. Using a cognitive behavioral therapy approach, she helps clients identify and understand the underlying causes of their depression, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop healthier perspectives. Olivia also provides practical, actionable steps to help clients re-engage with life, rebuild connections, and rediscover joy. With empathy and expertise, she creates a supportive space for clients to navigate their emotions, regain hope, and work toward meaningful change. Olivia’s goal is to empower her clients to move forward with resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.

If you're up against depression, we'd collaborate and become a team of sorts. Through thoughtful questioning and listening, we'd begin to identify alternative narratives that challenge your depressive story. By attending to your strengths, resilience and prior successes, you can begin to foster a sense of hope and feel empowered to envision a future where you can live beyond the limitations of depression.

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.

Living with depression is challenging. Using CBT and DBT strategies, I work with you to create manageable goals that will help to cultivate positive experiences and emotions. We will work together to determine what would be most beneficial to you and where to start. Throughout the process, we will challenge negative thinking, develop emotional regulation skills, and learn how to tolerate distress. Focus is also placed on your unique strengths, abilities, and the power you have to take control of your life and enjoy it to the fullest.