Depression
Victoria Counselling For Depression
What Is Depression?
Depression is a term that refers to complex challenges that are unique to each individual. However, there are common patterns of suffering that people might experience. Symptoms of depression may include low mood, hopelessness, irritability and a lack of interest in all or almost all activities. Depression can also impact your sleep, you might have difficulty concentrating, or even have thoughts about suicide or a feeling of worthlessness.
The good news is that many people who struggle with depression can, after therapy and treatment, experience a remission or reduction of many or all symptoms and go on to lead a meaningful and higher quality of life. I have experience with several different therapeutic modalities that support recovery from Depression. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), mindfulness based psychotherapy and Dialectical Behavioural therapy (DBT), as well as building self-compassion skills to support you in your recovery from depression. Together, we will work towards building a sense of purpose and meaning in life, as well as exploring way to increase positive emotions and creating healthy structure and support.
What Are The Benefits Of Therapy?
There are many factors related to depression that can be helpful to explore in therapy. Creating an opportunity to share and express emotions related to trauma, shame, medical issues/chronic pain, social isolation, and unprocessed grief can be productive and healthy to process in the therapeutic relationship.
Therapy can pave the way for authentic sharing with a person who is impartial to your life.
Joan E Mullinax, a therapist in Houston says “one of the most powerful aspects of recovery in therapy is when we realize that we’re not alone.”
Therapy can also help to build self-compassion which involves cultivating kindness and understanding of this shared human experience of suffering.
Accessing therapy for depression can support you to construct new meanings behind the long standing wounds that have impacted your life. This reframing and restructuring can aid in shifting automatic negative thoughts and interpreting the experiences of your life in a new way.
Understanding The Symptoms of Clinical Depression
Clinical depression is a condition that can manifest in unexpected ways. At times those suffering from depression don’t experience any feelings of profound sadness, but rather a listlessness, a lack of energy, or motivation, with no seeming cause. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms of depression, counselling may be a good fit for you.
Nonspecific Body Aches and Pains
Depression can equally affect the mind, and the body. At times those struggling with depression may have unexplainable body aches and pains, headaches, joint pain, or backaches.
Difficulty Concentrating
Depression can cause a type of concentration problem known commonly as ‘brain fog’. Brain fog can affect your ability to properly concentrate, which can lead to a spiralling loss of motivation and energy.
Oversleeping or Undersleeping
If you find yourself either under sleeping, or over sleeping, these can be common manifestations of clinical depression. While sleep disorders and insomnia do not cause depression, chronic insomnia can be a surprisingly debilitating symptom of depression.
Unexplainable Appetite Changes
Depression causes our bodies to experience a physical imbalance in chemicals and hormones. We may overeat as a result of craving serotonin and other ‘feel good’ chemicals, or we may lose desire for food. Under or over eating can both be symptoms of depression.
Outbursts of Anger and Irritability
Heightened or unexplained out of character irritability, stress, or tension can be a sign that you might be struggling with symptoms of depression.
Discover How Counselling Can Help For Depression
Depression is a chronic condition that affects our lives in many challenging ways. My approaches to therapy for depression include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy skills. In our sessions together you will learn how to apply mindfulness, somatic awareness, as well as supporting you to build skills that centre around self-compassion, and acceptance. Contact me today to book a complimentary 20 minute consultation phone call/video session and we can begin to develop a path of healing for you.
Rates
I offer a free 15 minute consultation over the phone to new clients who are interested in counselling.
60 min session - $140
Insurance Coverage
Many extended medical programs will cover a portion of your visit to an RSW (Registered Social Worker). My registration number is #14073 I am not able to bill directly, but I will always provide you with a receipt after each session showing your payment.
Office Location
In person counselling is available on Thursday mornings and Friday afternoons at my office on Cedar Hill Rd and Finlayson.
Online counselling is available via secure encrypted platform.