Depression Counselling in Kingston, ON.

Depression is a sign that we are no longer able to adapt to the complex and stressful world we live in. Our biological bodies and brains were not designed for the financial, cultural, social, and relational stressors we live with today. We see depression as a pivotal moment in one's life - as a reminder to start listening to our body, mind, and spirit. If you are feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, sad, fearful, stuck or on autopilot, we can help you get at the root of these feelings and work through them to attain relief.

About 1/3 of the population eventually suffers from depression (CMHA). Only family doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists are qualified to diagnose depression. My first recommendation is likely to be for you to discuss your concerns with your family doctor. If a person’s feelings of depression are occurring “out of the blue” and believed to be of a chemical nature, family physicians or psychiatrists may recommend medication. Social workers (like me) provide talk therapy. I can help you take an honest look at what may be contributing to depressive feelings in terms of your thought patterns, current and past events and relationships in order to help you gain skills to decrease symptoms.

Depression is not just "feeling down"; rather, it is a persistent state of sadness and despair. It can affect you body, your mood. and your internal thought processes. Depression is a common illness; however, therapy is often required to get better. If help is not received, depression can last weeks, months, or even years. With proper treatment, symptoms of depression tend to do away.

Depression can make a person feel as if the world has gone dark and nothing can bring them joy. Utilizing effective therapeutic methods, I can help you identify factors that contribute to depression and help you find ways to adapt to those situations. We will set realistic goals for the future, identify distorted thought processes or unhelpful behaviours that contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and develop skills to cope and prevent future episodes of depression.

Do you feel the continual, unrelenting burden of depression? I offer a personalized and empathetic approach designed to help clients navigate the weight of depression. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space where they can openly explore their emotions, thoughts, and struggles. Through proven therapeutic techniques, I help clients identify the root causes of their depression, develop healthier thought patterns, and build practical coping skills. Together, we work toward restoring hope, improving emotional resilience, and empowering clients to reclaim a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their daily lives.

Depression is a normal response to a lack of joy or purpose in our lives or to a disappointing or tragic event. If we have been the victims of trauma, thoughts of that event(s) and associated thoughts such as shame, guilt, low self-worth, etc. can trigger depression. As with most emotional response, understanding the origins of our depression is crucial to reducing it. Changing our perceptions and thoughts around events, persons and our own worth and purpose can lead to increased joy and reduced depression.

Depression is a difficult challenge to overcome. I use a combination of narrative and cognitive-behavioural approaches to addressing this issue. Clients can expect to learn about how their thoughts patterns impact their mood and vice versa, and will also learn about how to use behavioural activation to increase motivation. They can also expect to explore the underlying roots to their experiences of depression, as well as the attributes, knowledges or intentions they have to put up against the depression.

I use CBT to help improve depression symptoms. We explore: causes, triggers and symptoms to work on. I use behavioral activation to help make a list of enjoyable activities that you can begin with. Having someone to listen empathically is immensely useful. Helping to understand early signs of depression is also essential so that you can intervene to help yourself as early as possible.

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.

Do you wake up or go to bed feeling the blues? Do you feel dread and wonder how you will get through the day? Are you experiencing negative thoughts? I can help. Not only do I use talk therapy with my clients I help clients by using a technique called CBT Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT can help you notice triggers and events that effect both thoughts and mood restoring balance.

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.

All experience some form of depression at one point in their life or another. You are definitely not alone here. Whether the depression shows itself as constant sadness, an inability to move, or anger and frustration, it can be extremely overwhelming and difficult to deal with. It is my goal to help you overcome the depression and the painful effects of it by discovering it's roots and working through chopping it down. I will also aid in discovering or rediscovering your unique strengths, skills and ambitions in order to plant new productive, inspirational roots of joy, happiness, and freedom.

Depression can be a powerful force that can greatly impact our day to day. Depression can cause feelings of sadness, hopelessness, a lack of energy, or even numbness. You may feel stuck in previous patterns of behavior, or like you are running on ‘autopilot’. As a therapist, I know the impacts of these experiences, and I strive to work with you to better understand the depression, so that you can navigate it and develop the necessary tools to manage it. Connect with me today for a free consultation to begin your healing journey and move towards fulfillment, connection, and joy.

Let's destroy depression so it never wants to hang out with you again because you're too bad ass for it! Having experienced loss or feeling incredibly broken hearted is ok. These are part of life. These emotions are part of being human. It's just not okay to stay here for long periods of time. Let's get you honouring your experience, respecting your memories, and then back into living and enjoying life!