Depression Treatment Therapy

I specialize in treating depression.  Though it may not seem like it, depression is often quite treatable.  Often the first step is just to talk to someone who is not out to change you or to tell you to get over yourself.  Good therapists recognize and understand the pain of depression and the internal havoc it can cause and are often there to listen and accept what is happening.

Depression affects three psychological areas - thoughts, behaviour and emotions.  Though it may not seem like it, the impact depression has on each of these areas of functioning is fairly similar across many individuals.  As such, there is a lot of good research and practice out there that shows there are effective ways to treat the condition.

It is also important to note that depression has differetn severities.  Major, or clinical depression, involves a fair bit of disability, including inability to work or even care for one's self.  There may even be thoughts of suicide.  Moderate or mild depression is a less severe case of major depression.  With moderate or mild depression the feelings of angst are still often inside of us, but they are less intense and the ability to function is also better.  Cases of major, moderate or mild depression are often temporary (though they may seem like they last for a long time).  However, it has been shown that an episode of depression often causes psychological harm such that when one comes out of it, mood and functioning are negatively impacted for quite some time.  Moreover, there is a likelihood of relapse.

The other form of depression is called dysthymia.  This is a low-grade of depression, but is fairly chronic.  It's like there's always a cloud over everything, but the cloud is much further away than in accute forms of the condition.  The issue with dysthymia is that the cloud rarely goes away, even after years.

I have written a number of blog posts on depression for more information:

Psychotherapy For Depression
Why Do Therapists Say There Is Effective Help For Depression?

Finally, I recommend reading two authors and their books about depression

Richard O'Connor  Dr. O'Connor suffers from depression and dysthymia and is also a psychologist who treats depression.  His book can be found here
Michael D. Yapko  Dr. Yapko specialized in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Hypnosis for depression.  He has written a very well-received book here

Your first session is Complimentary.
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