Experiencing Depression


As part of depression therapy, you will learn coping skills to help you withstand your triggers – when the feelings associated with depression are at their apex.

DEPRESSION


We all feel sad from time to time. It is after all a healthy human emotion. However, when sadness becomes accompanied with feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or numbness, the sadness has likely morphed into depression.


Depression often affects how you feel, think, and behave, which can lead to many emotional and physical problems.


Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders. We can support you in regaining clarity and awareness and empower you to treat your depression and enjoy life again.



COMMON SYMPTOMS AND SIGNS OF DEPRESSION

People who are depressed may experience the following:


  • Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
  • Lethargy, fatigue or loss of energy
  • Apathy, disconnectedness, or loss of interest in activities
  • Lack of motivation
  • Diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness.
  • Lack of pleasure
  • Hypersomnia or increased need for sleep
  • Weight loss or weight gain not due to dieting or exercise
  • Increased or decreased appetite
  • Angry outbursts, irritability, or frustration over small matters
  • Thoughts of death or suicide
  • Thoughts of hurting yourself or self-injurious behaviors (e.g. cutting)
  • Social isolation
  • Agitation

  • Learning Coping Skills With Depression Therapy

    As part of depression therapy, you will learn coping skills to help you withstand your triggers – when the feelings associated with depression are at their apex.


    You will also learn how to become mindful of how others affect your mood and emotions and what to do about it.

  • What Will I Learn in Depression Therapy?

    One of the challenges of therapy is that to get out of it requires engaging in activities that while depressed will likely feel impossible.


    It takes a tremendous dose of perseverance to get moving when we feel apathy and low energy. During the course of therapy, you’ll learn skills to manage your depression. You will learn to disengage from negative thoughts and treat them as information, rather than absolute truths, so they have less influence over your behaviour.


    Depression is often associated with seeing things from a dark perspective. We develop a negative bias towards our own lives. When we feel worthless, useless, or unlovable, we pay attention to cues that confirm those feelings to the detriment of all other cues. This skewed perspective often reinforces feelings of sadness and prolong the depression.


    Recognizing those blind spots where our perspective is darker than reality calls for is a big step toward living a healthier life.

  • Depression Therapy & Medication

    Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is recognized as the most effective treatment for depression.


    Antidepressant medication alone has a poor record in fighting depression on its own. An antidepressant accompanied with therapy might be effective for some individuals.


    Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI’s) are medications that can help minimize symptoms of depression and anxiety.


    Although our talk therapists do not prescribe medication, they might refer you to a psychiatrist if they believe you might benefit from using antidepressant medication.


Important Details Before You Book...



Health Insurance


Fees for a Registered Social Worker (RSW) are covered under many private health plans or employee group benefit plans (often called “counselling” or “psychological” services.


If social workers are not listed, please contact your carrier as many will cover an RSW with a Masters Degree).



Tax Deductions


Registered Social Workers are authorized as ‘medical practitioners’ under the Canadian Income Tax Act for claiming medical expenses on income tax returns, through the Medical Expense.


Fee: My current hourly rate for individual counselling is $150/hour CAD.


It is my passion and purpose to inspire you with the guidance you need through every step of the way of your shift and/or healing. I seek to identify strengths and needs in both a compassionate and accepting way.


I look forward to assisting you in discovering

 your optimal life.



~Lynn Hiscoe


Book an Appointment Today