Depression Counselling in Vancouver, BC.

As human beings, we mostly ignore the flashing red engine light warning us that a tune up is in order. We put our heads down and keep going and before we know it we're just not functioning right. My role in helping you through depression is reconnecting you with your needs: emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, relational, and occupational, so that you become your best champion in meeting your needs and feeling more connected to yourself and others.

Depression is now the number one cause of suffering in the world today (World Health Organization Statistics). Each person's story is different and there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to treating depression, depending upon the severity of symptoms. I assess and offer practical tools as well as create a safe and secure place and environment for people to come and talk to me about things that they may not tell anyone else because of the shame and stigma of depression. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy as well as a number of other therapeutic techniques which have been proven to help with depression.

The circumstances and issues that you are dealing with are unique to you, but you don't have to face them alone. Every individual has different experiences, perceptions, feelings, thoughts, beliefs, values, attitudes, cultural backgrounds and "upbringings". Counselling sessions are private and confidential, and can provide a way for you to explore your problems and really tune in to your feelings. This is an opportunity to speak freely about your circumstances and release pent up feelings, without having to worry about what others think or feel, and without receiving unwanted advise from family, friends or coworkers. At the root of the problem, there are very real, legitimate and understandable reasons for feeling the way you feel, thinking the way...(view profile to read more)

Depression can be deeply painful, robbing you of energy, motivation, and hope. It creates a negative view of life, your self, and your future. It typically disrupts sleep patterns, appetite, emotions, and your thinking ability. I use the clinical practice of cognitive behavioural therapy to help people regain healthy control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and reclaim a sense of influence over their life style and life situation's. Coaching you to refocus, set small daily goals, celebrate your successes, and learn new behavioral and thinking skills can take time but the good news is that once you have acquired these skills you have them for life.

When I use narrative therapy to work with clients experiencing depression, I focus on helping them re-author the stories they tell about themselves and their lives. So often, depression is tied to dominant narratives that make people feel powerless, unworthy, or stuck. Together, we work to externalize the problem—separating them from their depression—so they can see it as something they’re facing, not something that defines who they are. This opens up space for us to explore alternative stories that highlight their resilience, strengths, and values. By shifting the focus from what feels wrong to what’s possible, I aim to help them reclaim a sense of agency and nurture a more hopeful view.

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.

Do you find yourself waking up in the morning unmotivated, low energy and just blah? Is it hard to remember feeling happy and excited? Depression may creep up on you or it may be feel like you are at the bottom of dark hole that you can't find your way out of. Together we will work to discover the source of your sadness and re-build your life. There is hope and things can feel better.

Depression is often misunderstood as simply sadness, worse as self-indulgence. But this is far from the truth. People do not chose to be depressed. Symptoms of depression can include feelings of guilt, anger (at themselves or others), apathy, helplessness or agitation. My approach to help you deal with your depression includes cognitive therapy, building up self confidence, improving communication skills as well as looking at the underlying causes of depression from childhood or present situation. My role as a therapist is to act as a guide to lead you out of the darkness into clarity and hope

Depression is like a dark shroud that hovers over a person's existence making each day a perpetual struggle. Life in general is disrupted. The smallest daily life routine becomes impossible. People may be predisposed to depression, but there is not a gene that predetermines whether a person will experience the effects of the disease. The four pillars of healthy living include: developing a balanced eating plan; engaging in regular exercise, instilling good sleep hygiene and social connection. Cognitive Behaviour tends to be the gold seal approach when a client present with symptoms of depression. Other modalities also serve to help the client manage his/her/they depressive episodes.

I will listen to the stories of your experience with depression. Together we will find ways of coping with depression, while working on acceptance of living skillfully with depression. I will teach you how to be more compassionate with yourself, using techniques from Mindful Self-Compassion. I will help you build capacity to cope with depression and capitalize on your strengths.

Depression isn’t who you are — it’s a response to pain you were never meant to carry alone. In my counselling practice, I offer a steady, compassionate space to explore the heaviness, numbness, and self-doubt that can feel overwhelming. Together, we listen for what your fatigue and sadness are trying to protect, rebuild connection, and gently re-ignite a sense of meaning. You don’t have to move through the darkness on your own. With care, patience, and support, a way forward becomes possible.

Depression can color how we see the world, ourselves and other people. Activities that used to be fun are not fun anymore and doing small things can feel like a chore. We might lose our sense of meaning and purpose and struggle to motivate ourselves. I want you know that there is hope, even if you cannot fully feel it right now. When working with depression, I help my clients to develop skills to improve their mood . Sometimes making little changes can help you feel better, which results in hope and lead to more hope and create an upward spiral. I also always help my clients heal the roots of their depression since this is an important part of recovering from depression.

If depression could speak, it would say "why bother?" Depression leaves us feeling unmotivated, hopeless, and negative about ourselves and our potential. In counselling, I provide a compassion-focused approach to treating depression that will help you to increase your sense self-worth and build motivation to mobilize yourself. I believe that when treating depression, it is essential to explore emotions such as anger, guilt and shame that often perpetuate a defeated and empty state. Doing so can feel uncomfortable, but is ultimately liberating. Many of my depressed - even suicidal - clients report that therapy has helped improve their mood and take meaningful action in their lives.