Depression
Do you frequently feel down?
Find it difficult to get up, go out or try new things?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by sadness, guilt, emptiness or a lack of interest in life?
You are not alone.
Depression affects millions of people of worldwide and it's not for no reason.
Your depression is meaningful. Your symptoms are meaningful.
Let's figure out what it means and what you can do about it.
In my practice, I help clients explore both the personal and circumstantial factors that affect their mood
and sense of self.
I understand that some clients need a space to feel understood and able to explore their difficult feelings, while other clients may need an opportunity to develop tools to help them function more effectively.
I would love the opportunity to work with you to identify your unique needs, and what will be most helpful for
your mental health and wellbeing.
Frequently asked
Questions
1. What is depression?
Depression is an experience that can involve your mind, emotions, and/or body.
It can cause symptoms that affect your relationships, work and daily functioning.
Depression is different from grief in that it is not the loss of something in the world that feels bad (although depression can be triggered by loss), rather, it is when something within you feels bad. Depression often coincides with self-critical thoughts and you may worry about whether you are good enough, or whether you are capable. Sometimes, depression can make it difficult for people to express their emotions (e.g. anger or sadness) for fear of losing the people they need.
The weight of depression can become very burdensome and it is important to seek help, so that you can begin to process your difficult thoughts and feelings, and find news ways of communicating in your relationships. Left unprocessed, depression can lead to fatigue, problems related to sleeping (too little or too much), problems related to appetite, and difficulty thinking or making decisions.
2. Do I need to take medication for my depression?
Treatment for depression may rely solely on psychotherapy, or it may include pharmacotherapy (medication) as well.
In therapy, we will assess the cause, type, and severity of your depression. Together we will explore the treatment plan that is best suited to you. Where necessary, I will assist you with finding a psychiatrist to further explore the possibility of taking medication in conjunction with therapy.
3. Which therapeutic approach should I seek to treat my depression?
Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) are three approaches that are commonly used for the treatment of depression. The decision of which approach to use needs to take into account the client's capacity for psychodynamic therapy or CBT/ ACT, the client's psychological development and processes, relevant information about the client's history, the cause of the depression, the meaning of the symptoms for the particular client, and the prognosis.
As a therapist, I look at each client holistically when developing a treatment plan. I also share with clients my thoughts about why I think one therapeutic approach may be beneficial over another for the particular issues being presented. I then work together with my clients to decide on a way forward, ensuring alignment between myself and the client, the goals for the therapy, and the therapeutic approach.
You are most welcome to contact me if you would like help finding the therapeutic approach that is right for you.