Depression Counselling in Kingston, ON.

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 a change in mood that can lead to loss of concentration, increased reactivity, feelings of sadness, and a loss of interest in everyday activities. Depression usually develops over time, so we are unaware it is present. It will surface when we are under stress, grieving a loss, or facing life changes we did not choose, like a marital break-up, a pregnancy loss, or being laid off from work. A major depression or clinical depression can also occur due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. In these situations, we need medical assistance to move forward from a depressive event. However, most people find talk therapy improves their mood. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation today

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.

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.

Being depressed is not about being "lazy". It is about addressing the feeling of walking through waist high mud, or even quick sand sometimes, to complete daily tasks. First of all we do this by addressing any risks. Then we can explore Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to work on acceptance, exploring hope, creating short-term/long-term goals, addressing root issues, focusing on behaviour activation with the potential use of exposure therapy. The idea is to improve your daily performance while creating a game plan for risk and any set backs.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

When struggling with depressed moods, everything feels heavy and you lack a sense of meaning and purpose. Even the most simple tasks can feel impossible. If you find yourself turning to alcohol, substances, or other addictive behaviours to cope with depressed moods, there is a way out. I help clients with addictions overcome the depressed moods causing them to turn to substances or addictive behaviours to cope. Everyone is different, so I work with you to develop a plan that fits your unique situation. If you are unsure where to start, send me a message. If I'm not the right fit, I can connect you to resources that will allow you to start getting help today, without having to wait.