Counselling Services for Depression

Depression is characterized by varying amounts of sadness, loneliness, and despair. Someone who is depressed may be inactive, feel full of guilt, and lack motivation and self-esteem.

When you are depressed, these debilitating feelings can be all-encompassing. Your entire view of the world may be affected.

Clinical depression comes in many varieties, such as:

• Seasonal depression
• Postpartum depression
• Bipolar depression
• Major depression
• Persistent depression (dysthymia)

It is not necessary to have a medical diagnosis in order to attend counselling sessions for depression.

Depression, prescriptions, & counselling

Some people choose to use medication to treat depression, but a prescription is not required for counselling. My services can be used in addition to or as an alternative to prescription medication.

If you do want to explore medical treatments, I encourage you to contact your Primary Care provider.

When you’re depressed, you may be more irritable, angry, or sad than usual. You may choose to isolate yourself from others.

When suffering from depression it is common to get caught up in an overwhelming mental cycle or loop in which you:

1. Experience low energy and motivation, leading to...
2. Negative thinking patterns, leading to...
3. Less activity and more isolation, leading to...
4. Sadness and guilt, leading to feelings of depression and hopelessness

Around and around it goes, with each state reinforcing the continued depression. Does this sound familiar to you?

Depression may also negatively affect or hamper your:

• Sleep cycle
• Appetite
• Work/school performance
• Interests
• Motivation
• Mood
• Focus
• Self-worth
• Relationships
• Thinking patterns
• Decision making

Some people with depressive symptoms also have suicidal ideation, which is something we will address early on. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts we can discuss strategies to keep you safe until you are feeling better.

Take a self-screening test

You may wish to take a screening test to learn more about depression. HereToHelpBC has a directory of online screening tests for depression and other mental health issues:

Online Depression Screening Test

Counselling provides a safe environment for you to talk about your struggles. Together we can develop a plan to improve your outlook and build self-esteem.

Tanglewood offers support through:

• Evidence-based therapeutic intervention (psychoeducation) to better understand what is causing the symptoms
• Exploring and decreasing unhealthy thinking traps
• Retraining to help you see and appreciate the positives in life that are discounted by depression
• Improved coping skills, emotion regulation skills, and distress tolerance
• Exploring your inner resources and support networks that you have available
• Setting behavioural goals, and increasing them in small steps to get you back into your life

We will work together to make a care plan that suits you, your needs, and your strengths. Furthermore, we’ll find a way of working together that makes you comfortable and optimistic.

I hope you continue with your current momentum, and wish you good health.

Set up a free phone consultation so we can talk about how to work together in a way that is comfortable and helpful for you.