Depression Counselling in Lakeshore, ON.

Having experienced and moved through clinical depression early in my own life, I know how, at times, depression can make life seem too hard face. For many people, depression is the result of early life events that have never been truly resolved. And while many people benefit from the use of medications and/or alternative approaches - it has been shown time and time again that adding therapy greatly increases the chances for an even better outcome.

Depression happens very commonly in various degrees of severity. Some people find that their mood dips occasionally, while others might experience more debilitating forms where their motivation and daily functioning are negatively impacted. Depending on the severity of the presenting depression, I might start with more cognitive-behavioural work to help jumpstart daily functioning and life-engagement. Once clients' activity level increases and their moods have stablized, deeper work on discovering the origins and triggers for the depression can be done.

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.

Depressive symptoms include deep sadness or hopelessness that persists for an extended period of time and has multiple impacts on affected individuals. It can greatly hinder an individual's capacity to engage in everyday activities. Fortunately, the effects of depression are highly treatable through therapy, which can serve as a potent remedy. Therapy can help you determine which negative or distorted thought patterns lead to the helplessness and hopelessness that come with depression and set realistic goals that enable you to enhance your emotional well-being. You will regain a sense of control and pleasure in life while incorporating enjoyable, fulfilling activities back into your life.

Depression can leave us feeling hopeless and sometimes even the way our loved ones respond can actually increase our sense of isolation. In my work with clients experiencing depression, I focus first on understanding and appreciating each person’s unique story. Fostering a trusting and collaborative relationship creates an environment that feels safe to explore our emotions and paths to healing. Contact me today to book a free consultation to start your healing journey.

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 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.

There are times in our lives where we may feel depressed. However, there are times when we may feel stuck and at a point when it is necessary to seek support. Working with a compassionate professional who understands depression and cares about your healing and well-being may help you to feel hope and to find your spark again. Together we will work at the clients pace as a team using a variety of client-centered modalities. Some people find that Expressive Art allows them to express emotions that there are no words for. As well, EMDR is helpful in working through prior events that keep us stuck by desensitizing the client from past trauma.

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.

At Atlas Therapy, we specialize in supporting individuals facing depression, leveraging our expertise derived from both extensive training and personal experiences. Depression can significantly affect various facets of life, including relationships, work, motivation, and overall functioning. We understand the varying degrees of depression and tailor our approach and treatment plans to meet the unique needs of each client. Rest assured, effective tools, strategies, and methods are available to offer essential support and relief to those navigating through the challenges of depression.

Depression is a common human experience. Most people will at some time in their life experience depression. The most dramatic sign of depression is a lack of pleasure in normally pleasing life activities and feeling fatigued. You may also withdraw from people, experience negative thinking, feel helplessness, and experience disruptions in appetite and sleep. Managing depression requires that you gain some sense of control over the depression. The important thing about depression is taking a first step which is coming to see a professional in order to get the help you need. Seeking professional help will enable you to get to the root cause of your depression in order for you to take action a....

Hope, purpose, self-respect, and connecting with those close to you are vital for a full and healthy life. Depression can often come like a wave and steal them from you. When these factors are missing from our lives it can result in feeling helpless, irritable, lonely, confused, and negatively impact your energy, sleep, appetite, and ability to concentrate. Working with strategies to help you process negative thoughts and difficult emotions, therapy can help you develop a sense of control and safety in your life, as well as work on a more positive sense-of-self and of those around you. Change is possible and joy is available, we can do it together.