IN-PERSON APPOINTMENTS IN LONDON, ON AND KOMOKA, ON.
VIRTUAL THERAPY ACROSS ONTARIO.
DEPRESSION COUNSELLING LONDON ONTARIO
When the blues are more than the blues
Part of being human is feeling down, sad and gloomy sometimes. Like the saying goes, “into every life, a little rain must fall”. But what happens when those feelings persist? If you find yourself feeling sad, hopeless, pessimistic, irritable and tired more often than not, you might be feeling what is commonly known as “depression”.
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Understanding depression
As our research around depression expands, we are understanding that it’s a bit more complicated than we thought, but here’s the gist: Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. At the London Centre for Trauma Therapy, recognizing, assessing and treating depression are things that we are experts in. Every day, we help folks find their happiness and joy again. We can help you, too.
How does depression counselling help?
Depression therapy is sometimes referred to as “talk therapy”. This is a form of psychotherapy that involves talking to a trained mental health professional about your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours related to depression. The goal of depression counselling is to identify the underlying causes of depression, develop coping skills to manage symptoms, and work towards a more positive outlook on life.
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​​Through depression counselling, individuals can also learn to recognize and challenge negative thought patterns and beliefs that contribute to depression. You will also learn techniques to manage stress and improve your overall well-being, such as exercise, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques.
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Symptoms of depression
Fighting depression is so hard- and it’s exhausting.
We have therapists who are trained to help you fight back, learn the skills you need to take control over your life and your happiness, and live a life that feels easier.
A lot of people don’t know why they feel off, but you might be experiencing depression if you can relate to some of these symptoms:
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Trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
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Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, and helplessness
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Pessimism and hopelessness
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Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or sleeping too much
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Crankiness or irritability
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Restlessness
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Loss of interest in things once pleasurable, including sex
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Overeating or appetite loss
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Aches, pains, headaches, or cramps that won't go away
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Digestive problems that don't get better, even with treatment
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Persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" feelings
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Suicidal thoughts or suicide attempt
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Loss of pleasure in life
Depression Counselling in London Ontario: Getting Started
If, after reading some of our information above, you think you might benefit from depression counselling, there are many ways to get started. The first (and easiest, since we have you here) way to begin is to connect with our Client Care Team or book directly in with one of our therapists. You can also chat with your family physician or another medical professional. You might wish to ask friends if they can recommend a therapist that they know to be effective.
Once you have made the decision to begin treatment, you can expect the process to look something like this:
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1. Assessment: in this phase of therapy, your therapist will ask you a wide range of questions. Depression has many causes, and your therapist needs to understand you not only during this problem, but in the landscape of your life. Things to consider are your childhood experiences (including family and school), your hobbies and interests, your peer relationships, romantic relationships, health history, substance use, school and career history and living situation. You don’t need to go into any details you don’t feel ready for, but these are a guideline to help you know what you can expect.
2. Understanding therapeutic priorities: Your therapist will ask you how you’d like to feel and what you’re looking for from therapy. This can be really difficult to answer, especially when you’re feeling down, hopeless and unmotivated. It can be helpful to think about what you’d like less of, in this case (less tearfulness, less conflict, etc). Together, you can understand what outcome you’d like for therapy
3. Treatment planning: in this phase, your therapist will help you with a plan for getting to those desired feelings and states we mentioned earlier. Our therapists have a wide range of training in many areas, and some of these modalities involve worksheets, homework, somatic work and more. You can say yes or no to what feels best for you.
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4. Reassessment: this happens periodically, over time. Your therapist will check in with you to see how you’re feeling and what treatment gains you’re noticing. One of the best parts of therapy- from the perspective of the therapist- is to watch clients grow, change and evolve. Sometimes, we get to notice the changes before you do!
What are the benefits of depression counselling?
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Counselling can help you understand the underlying causes of your depression. Looking at life experiences, traumas, beliefs about yourself, lifestyle, coping patterns and stressors can be monumental for identifying what causes you to suffer. Therapy offers a spae to explore all of these factors, to put together pieces of your narrative that you might not have previously understood.
Counselling can also help you learn and implement new ways of coping. These strategies can include things like identifying limiting beliefs, challenging assumptions, thinking thoughts that feel like an upgrade from depression-level thoughts, and learning how to communicate. We often use mindfulness techniques in therapy, which can help you surf through difficult times and remember that everything passes.
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Improving self-care and self-nurturing are other benefits of going to therapy for depression. Often times when we are struggling with depression, we have neglected to care for ourselves. When your plate is full to the brim taking care of your spouse, the kids, your career and pets, you’re left with very little for you. Learning how to develop routines that tend to your needs can do wonders for your mental health.
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Counselling for depression also provides you with needed emotional support. One of the symptoms of depression is isolating and withdrawing from loved ones and activities. You probably feel like a drag on your family (you aren’t), and sometimes you feel like people in your life would be better without you (they won’t). A supportive therapist can help you and give you that care and space that you deserve.
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Anger and Depression
It might be surprising to hear, but folks who are often angry might actually be feeling depression. There is a complex relationship between anger and depression. Persistent and frequent feelings of resentment and anger can contribute to depression.
In addition, many folks feel angry but are afraid to express it in a way that is healthy, so they suppress it. This, too, can lead to depression. Learning how to express anger in a way that is healthy for you and others can help to relieve symptoms of depression.
Our Location
Our clinic is located at 111 Waterloo Street, Suite 508 and Suite 210.
Both in person or online appointments are available depending on your preferred therapist.
London Trauma Therapy
111 Waterloo Street Suite 508, London ON, N6B 2M2
London Trauma Therapy
9918 Glendon Dr, Komoka ON, N0L 1R0
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
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We acknowledge that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Attawandaron, Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee, and Lunaapeewak peoples who have longstanding relationships to the land, water and region of southwestern Ontario. The local First Nation communities of this area include Chippewas of the Thames First Nation, Oneida Nation of the Thames, and Munsee-Delaware Nation. Additionally, there is a growing urban Indigenous population who make the City of London home. We value the significant historical and contemporary contributions of local and regional First Nations of Turtle Island (North America).
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