Depression Counselling in Gravenhurst, ON.

Depression is truly debilitating, and at it's most basic means 'to push down'. I counsel clients to reach a deeper understanding of why they feel the way they do, in turn validating their own sense of self and then bring them through a process of recovery and healing where they are able to engage in emotional and physical practices to reach a higher level of emotional stability and contentment.

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.

Our emotions work to provide us with information about a situation, environment, or relationship. When we experience depression, it is typically because we have experienced many disappointments in our life, or believe that we have let important others down. Our coping strategies become overwhelmed and we experience feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Together, we can explore the circumstances surrounding your depression symptoms to develop an understanding of them. This will assist us in identifying new ways of reducing and managing these emotions, to improve your daily functioning and overall quality of life.

Experiencing big emotional ups and downs is normal, but there can be times when it feels like the lows are getting longer, more frequent, and harder to deal with. Therapy should be a safe space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your thoughts, feelings, and experiences with someone who offers you empathy, authenticity, and acceptance. I work collaboratively with clients to explore how feelings of depression show up in their lives, and to strengthen and develop strategies to minimize the impact they have on living the life you want to live. Book a free consultation to learn more about my approach and explore if we are a good fit.

Depression can cast a shadow over every aspect of life, but there is a way forward. In a compassionate and non-judgmental space, we'll work together to understand and alleviate the symptoms of depression. I'm here to support you on your journey towards renewed hope and self-empowerment. Reach out for a free consultation, and let's begin your path to healing.

Depression can feel like a never-ending dark tunnel in which hope, purpose, joy, and motivation to live life can seem impossible. Depression can also lead us to feel disconnected from the very things that make life worth living and it can also make reaching out for help challenging. Should you decide to reach out for help, I will work with you to safely explore how depression has been affecting you and identify some of the factors that may have led you to feel depressed. I will also support you in developing tools to cope with depression so that you can experience a greater sense of connection and purpose within your life. Contact me or book a free consultation if you wish to learn more.

Effective treatment for depression is best achieved by the two-pronged approach. That is, the first step to recovery is taking anti-depressants, (as prescribed by your doctor) which are very helpful in lifting your mood. The second step is coming to talk a psychotherapist. Together we will look at your current situation as you gradually share some of the difficult feelings you are struggling with. Then we will slowly and gently examine the past to see if these feelings are familiar. Gradually you will begin to gain fresh insights and a new perspective and release from the emotional pain.