Depression Counselling in Aurora, ON.

Shyamala has extensive experience working with clients that struggle with feelings of sadness and depression, including experience working collaboratively with a medical team. Her approach includes cognitive behavioural therapy to help clients in coping with the symptoms of depression and creating a plan to move forward, as well as exploring patterns of emotional regulation that may lead to longer term success in managing this very common issue.

You have been down for such a long time, or maybe you go in and out of feeling blue and want to get off the rollercoaster. I use Emotion Focused Therapy to help you explore and experience safely the emotional spectrum that underlies depression. I will work slowly and carefully with you to help you to resolve the heaviness that has robbed you for too long so that you can be more resilient and joyful in life.

Depression can feel like an endless weight, isolating you from the world and draining your sense of hope. I understand the pain and exhaustion it brings, and I’m here to walk with you through it. Together, we’ll explore your emotions in a compassionate, non-judgmental space, helping you find strength and clarity. My goal is to support you in rediscovering purpose and a path toward healing. Please schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit.

Depression is different from ordinary sadness. With sadness, the person experiences a negative event, cries, and grieves over what happened. Afterward, the person feels a little bit better. Depression, on the other hand, occurs when the person falls into a pattern of negative thinking and inactivity. It is associated with feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. After an episode of depression the person does not feel any better. Treatment of depression largely involves teaching people skills to identify and modify negative thinking patterns; reversing withdrawal from activities; finding ways of managing or solving life problems; developing acceptance for things that cannot be changed.

Depression can affect many aspects of your life, making even everyday tasks feel overwhelming. I offer a compassionate and evidence-based approach to help you navigate these challenges. Using a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, mindfulness, and psychodynamic techniques, we work to identify and address negative thought patterns, build coping skills, and explore underlying issues. My goal is to support you in finding relief and developing strategies for long-term well-being. Contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to start working towards a brighter and more hopeful future.

Studies have shown that psychotherapy for depression can be as effective as taking antidepressants. Depression can range from mild feelings of sadness and emptiness to all-encompassing, fully debilitating darkness. If you are experiencing feelings of depression, emptiness, hopelessness, and sadness and are finding it difficult to function in your day to day life, psychotherapy can be helpful in helping you to understand what is going on with you and help you to rise up from the depths to lead a more satisfying and meaningful life. It can also assist you in re-engaging in the process of living and in relationships with the people who are important to you.

People struggling with depression are often battling negative thought patterns, low mood and sometimes behaviors that may include withdrawal, lack of energy and low motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) targets negative thought patterns. The premise of CBT is that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are influenced by each other. If we can reframe these negative thoughts, we can change how a person feels and hence change some of the behaviors associated with depression. All three therapies: CBT, ACT and DBT have been shown to help with mood disorders such as depression.

Many years ago depression was called melancholia and was not considered so negatively as it is in our current "performance" focused culture. We are expected to be "up" continuously in today's busy life-styles, with work, children, relationships, and even in our playtime. The result of this sort of expectation can be debilitating and certainly can lead to long bouts of feeling out of control, unfulfilled, unmotivated and ultimately immobilized. Depression can certainly be dealt with through very effective therapeutic techniques. I work with clients to better understand the root cause of their sadness and help them to look at the possible meaning behind their depression and how to best cope.

Our team will determine a unique treatment plan that is unique to your life. There are many symptoms of depression, which can vary from mild to severe. Several factors can contribute to depression such as, biochemistry, genetics, personality, and environmental factors. Depression can be treated using different approaches. Everyone is affected by depression differently, thus, treatment plans are unique to the individual Our team of professionals will work with you in order to find treatment options that work best for you and your life.

Depression brings with it a variety of effects. Some people cannot sleep, others want to sleep all the time. Some overeat, while others don't feel like eating anything. Handling the usual functions of daily living can just feel like too much. Whatever ways it shows up, left untreated it can drain you of energy, impacting your relationships and your ability to live your life with joy and satisfaction. Therapy can help you identify what is at the root of your sadness. Together, we assess what is going on and determine how to shift your experience. Feelings of guilt, judgment, shame and pain are released. The sooner we connect, the sooner you can bring fun and energy back into your world.

Depression can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. My approach to depression is client-centred, focusing on understanding your unique experience, and explore the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms, such as past experiences or life circumstances. We will work together to set achievable goals, and empower you with coping skills for long-term emotional health. Take the first step towards healing, and reach out for a free consultation today.

Depression is common and pervasive in our society. I will help you explore the reasons for your depression and what keeps it going as well as provide support practical, powerful and effective tools to help you manage and move through this challenging issue. Some depressions may be based in trauma and I use a trauma-informed approach to therapy in general. You don't have to continue to suffer with depression and you don't necessarily need to rely on medication either. Effective help is here!