Depression Counselling in Kenora, ON.

Experiencing depressive symptoms, low mood, low affect, low-ness is hard. Using psychodynamics and person-centered, strengths based therapies, I strive to aid clients in understanding the patterns of these symptoms so we can, collaboratively work together to process these feelings and devise ways that work for you to regulate and improve mood over time.

Are feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or exhaustion weighing you down? I’m Simona Ilieva, a Registered Psychotherapist specializing in depression therapy. Together, we’ll explore the underlying causes of your depression and work to develop strategies that empower you to regain a sense of hope and purpose. Whether you're dealing with chronic depression or a recent emotional struggle, I’m here to support you. You don’t have to face this alone; healing is possible. With the right support, you can reclaim joy and start building a brighter, more fulfilling future. Let’s take that first step together. Book a free consultation today.

Depression is a sadness that accompanies us wherever we go stealing our experience of happiness and joy. Others often do not understand that depression has changed our vision of a colorful, vibrant world to one of varying shades of gray. Depression can make tasks that were once completed without much thought like taking a shower, brushing one's teeth, or even getting out of bed, feel like an overwhelming challenge. Activities and people that we once enjoyed, no longer bring pleasure. "Why can't I just snap out of it?!" I use an integrative approach to therapy providing an empathetic, supportive dynamic to empower you to change your emotional experience of life.

I provide compassionate, evidence-based counseling for depression and bipolar disorder, tailored to your unique needs. Using a person-centered, trauma-informed approach, I integrate CBT, DBT, Interpersonal Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to help manage depressive episodes, mania, and hypomania, build resilience, and regain stability. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can explore your emotions, develop coping strategies, and work toward meaningful change. Whether you're struggling with persistent sadness, mood swings, or emotional dysregulation, I’m here to support your journey toward healing and growth.

When I work with people who are weighed down with symptoms of depression, I find that it is important to remember two things: go slowly, and go together. Employing a trauma informed, family systems and somatic lens to what you are experiencing can help provide insight into how to move through and manage it. Journeying with clients through their depression is a great honour, and is something I take very seriously. I find that for many people, holding onto hope that things could be different, is something that can seem too much. Part of my commitment to working through depression is that, until you are ready, I will hold onto hope for both us.

Struggling with mood disorders can make life very challenging. The most basic tasks can feel overwhelming and unmanageable. I understand this from personal experience as well as years of work with clients who are diagnosed with depression or bipolar disorder. It can be difficult to explain to others in our lives what it feels like to live with depression. I will validate and support you while helping you explore your feelings and find positive coping strategies that are the right fit for you. Book a free consultation to see if we are a good fit.

Depression is often associated with symptoms such as fatigue, loss of motivation, loss of pleasure, withdrawal, and feelings of sadness. Often, when individuals feel depressed, they stop engaging in activities they enjoy which can perpetuate depressive symptoms. There are a variety of evidence-based approaches to explore depression. Together, we will decide which approach is best for you. Please contact me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to determine if we are a good fit.

Getting to the root of one's depression, why it occurs, and how it presents itself is imperative in understanding how one can remedy it. By working with clients to explore and comprehensively understand their depression, we will be able to better manage, mitigate, or eliminate the cognitions, behaviours, and feelings tied to our depression. How we became depressed is only the first step in ones work on depression; figuring out how to create change, support, and maintain change is the bulk of it.

Depression hurts and is becoming epidemic in our society. However, depression is a treatable condition and there are effective approaches that can help you break the cycle of chronic unhappiness so you can keep moving forward, learn how to face life’s challenges with greater resilience and regain a sense of well-being. I work from the best evidence- based therapies for depression: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Interpersonal therapy (IPT), Solution Focused Therapy and Art Therapy to help you overcome the mental habits leading to despair, rumination, and self-blame so you can repossess the sense of hope, joy and life balance.

[I OFFER VIDEO SESSIONS THROUGHOUT ALBERTA AND ONTARIO]. I have been severely clinically depressed several times in my life. I know how it feels to be in a dark hole yet be unable to rise above and function normally again. But I can help. I have been a psychologist since 1986. I know all the techniques and I have a good understanding of the right physical interventions to help you as well. Book a session today by simply going to https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=14249112

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.

Can we transform emotional pain into personal growth and find hope? I can help you become aware of how certain negative automatic thoughts, beliefs and expectations contribute to feelings of anxiety and sadness. Often these automatic negative thought patterns are developed as a result of a past painful and difficult experience. They determine how we deal with loss, change, conflict and social interactions. Supporting you in identifying and understanding these thought patterns, can help resolve problems in maintaining relationships and establish a stronger sense of self-worth. Schedule a free consultation with me to see if we are a good fit for therapy.

While everyone has felt various amounts of sadness and hopelessness, depression is different. It can permeate multiple aspects of your life including relationships, work, and friendships. It may feel isolating to not have the motivation to engage in simple activities, while others may have no idea why you feel the way you feel. However, there is hope and help is available! Together, we can slowly work through your thought patterns, emotions and behavior to turn the direction of the downward spiral. As difficult as it may seem, I encourage you to take your first step and reach out today to book a consultation.

Depression is an insidious companion, and can creep its way in without us realizing for some time. Shifting a depressed mindset can be extremely difficult but neuroimaging studies have shown that by practicing mindfulness we can begin to alter those well-trodden neural pathways and shift our neurochemistry by promoting the production of neurotransmitters linked to feelings of happiness. Psychotherapy can help you identify mindfulness activities and other tools that can help to promote the production of these neurotransmitters and deliver results rooted in neuroscience. I can offer an alternative perspective and act as the catalyst you need to begin making the shift out 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.

Sometimes, we think of depression in social terms as the sadness and aloneness we feel that doesn't significantly interfere with our daily ability to function. Clinical depression, however, is much more disabling. Both may require the help of your physician to rule out the biological causes of medical problems that present as depression, while each requires specific therapy to increase the possibility of a good outcome. When I've met folks suffering from all forms of depression, I've relied on my education, training and experience to provide counselling and therapy. Depression is difficult, but you don't need to be alone to manage it

Clients struggling with depression benefit from our compassionate and evidence-informed therapy approaches. Our skilled therapists provide a supportive space to explore emotions, identify underlying causes, and develop effective coping strategies. Using techniques, such as cognitive-behavior therapy, mindfulness, and strength based approaches, we help clients gain motivation, improve mood and rebuild a sense of purpose. We empower client to navigate their journey toward healing and emotional well-being.