Depression Counselling in Thornhill, ON.

You have been down for such a long time, or maybe you go in and out of feeling blue and want to get off the rollercoaster. I use Emotion Focused Therapy to help you explore and experience safely the emotional spectrum that underlies depression. I will work slowly and carefully with you to help you to resolve the heaviness that has robbed you for too long so that you can be more resilient and joyful in life.

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.

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.

Our experiences of depression can be hard to make sense of. At times we feel depressed because of a specific situation, other times it's not clear what's making us feel the way we do. Therapy can be a helpful process when experiencing depression as it can provide us with a safe(r) relationship to gain insight into why we feel the way we do, discover tools we can use day-to-day to manage thoughts and feelings, as well as help us plan ways to help ourselves in case these feelings resurface in the future.

I use Cognitive-behavioural Therapy (CBT) for depression and it starts with education about depression and helping the client establish structure around daily activities (behavioural activation), to become more aware of their mood and challenge intrusive thoughts in order to engage in pleasurable activities. The client and I continue to work together to replace intrusive thoughts with more balanced thoughts the client holds about the self, the world, and the future, which may contribute to feelings of hopelessness.

Depression can leave us feeling empty, emotionally low, and unmotivated. When we can understand our experiences of depression, we can cultivate different responses. In therapy, you can learn how to challenge depressive thought patterns, develop self-compassion, and understand the root causes of the depression you are experiencing. Book a free consultation to explore if we are a good fit for therapy.

Depression can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. My approach to depression is client-centred, focusing on understanding your unique experience, and explore the underlying factors contributing to your symptoms, such as past experiences or life circumstances. We will work together to set achievable goals, and empower you with coping skills for long-term emotional health. Take the first step towards healing, and reach out for a free consultation today.