Depression counselling Calgary

For those in Calgary struggling with symptoms of depression, understanding available therapy options is crucial for effective treatment for depression. At Living Well Counselling Services in Calgary, we recognize the paramount importance of mental health and the challenges it brings to daily life, especially in our busy lives. As such, we provide Individual Counselling, Couples Counselling, and Family Counselling administered by our esteemed team of Registered Psychologists, Social Workers, and Experienced Counsellors.

Depression seems to be more common today than ever before, affecting people from all walks of life and presenting various types of depression disorders. But that may just be because more people are talking about it and seeking help from mental health professionals and organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Depression isn’t something to be stigmatized or embarrassed about. It is a mood disorder many of us can find ourselves in, which does have treatment options and can be alleviated. Our founder, Jennifer Dawn Watts, experienced depression throughout her young life and into her 20s, dealing with clinical depression and its impact on her quality of life. She has been medication-free and depression-free for almost 10 years. While we may get depressed from time to time, a depression that lasts is a state that no one should have to live with. Major depressive disorder, postpartum depression, childhood depression, psychotic depression, atypical depression, Bipolar Disorder, and other affective disorders are some types of depression that can affect individuals during different life stages.

How Therapists Treat Major Depressive Disorder

Today, therapists treat depression in a number of different ways, employing various approaches to treatment to address the aspects of depression affecting each individual. Here are some of the most common depression treatment methods:

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT):

Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is one of the most well-researched depression treatment methods available today. CBT relies on the assumption that a person’s emotions are directly related to their thoughts and behavior, rather than solely resulting from a chemical imbalance. Those who are depressed may experience a large number of negative emotions throughout the day, including feelings of helplessness, depressed mood, and mental pain. CBT aims to reverse these negative emotions through cognitive restructuring, where the therapist and patient work together to change thinking patterns and address unhelpful thinking patterns. CBT also uses behavioral activation, where patients learn to overcome obstacles to participating in enjoyable activities, improving their life skills and sense of control. As a goal-oriented, science-based form of therapy, CBT is remarkably effective and can be used to treat depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

Mindfulness-Based Approaches:

Mindfulness-based approaches help individuals focus on the present moment, reducing stress management issues and chronic stress that contribute to depression. By incorporating mindfulness practices, clients learn to observe their thoughts and feelings without judgment, fostering a healthier relationship with their internal experiences.

Solution-Focused Therapy:

Solution-Focused Therapy builds off the assumption that patients can work towards certain solutions to improve their lives. Rather than therapy being “problem-saturated,” the focus is on solutions and on the resources patients possess that they may not even be aware of. The patient thinks about how things are going to be better in the future using specific Solution-Focused methods and techniques and then works towards those solutions with the help of a trained therapist. Instead of focusing on the past, Solution-Focused Therapy targets current solutions and working toward a better future, enhancing healthy relationships and navigating life transitions.

Interpersonal Therapy:

Interpersonal depression therapy involves targeting various relationships in the patient’s life. In many depression cases, patients are upset about various relationships with coworkers, friends, or family members, leading to relationship challenges and poor mood. The therapist helps the patient improve these relationships and live a healthier social life. This form of therapy strengthens the therapeutic alliance between the therapist and client, promoting effective communication and support.

Strength-Based Approaches:

Strength-based approaches focus on the inherent strengths of individuals, helping them build resilience and confidence to overcome depression. By identifying and leveraging personal strengths, clients can navigate tough times and enhance their personal development.

Ultimately, successfully managing depression is no different than being successful in other areas of life: it often takes using the proven benefits of multiple approaches, implementing these, and navigating difficulties along the way. If you are willing to put in the work and invest in yourself, a therapist can explain their approach to counselling and tailor a treatment plan to your needs. Finding an effective therapist with an approach you’re comfortable with, and a personality that fits for you, is what’s important to finding freedom and happiness again.

How Living Well Can Help with Major Depressive Disorder

The best way to deal with depression is to seek the assistance of a therapist that specializes in depression counselling services. Living Well therapists use a variety of research-based forms of treatment which have proven effective time and time again, addressing a wide variety of mental health concerns and types of depression, including adult depression and childhood depression.

Our therapists are non-judgmental and seek to provide a therapeutic space that is a safe and non-judgmental space where clients can move forward to find hope and discover a way out of depression. We understand that depression can be influenced by a family history of mental health issues, life events, or challenges in life such as chronic pain and chronic stress. Choosing the right counsellor is an important part of addressing depression problems. That’s why we strive to connect each and every patient with a counselor that understands their unique needs and fosters a strong therapeutic alliance.

We are happy to schedule a free 20-minute consultation. During the consultation, your counsellor can learn more about you, including your history of depression, and you can decide for yourself if their approach to treatment sounds like a good fit. We are affiliated with the Calgary Institute of Counselling, ensuring that our therapists are up-to-date with the latest practices in mental health care. We offer services in various locations, including North West Calgary, Rocky Ridge, and Royal Oak, ensuring accessibility for clients across the city.

Our services include online counselling and online therapy options for those who prefer remote sessions. We also provide direct billing and offer sliding scale fees to make our services more accessible. At Living Well Counselling Services, we are committed to providing services to individuals from all backgrounds.

If your depression is severe and you’re currently suicidal, we ask that you please call Calgary’s Distress Centre Calgary at 403-266-HELP (403-266-4357) or reach out to the Calgary Counselling Centre for immediate assistance. We are not a crisis counselling team and require time to respond to each appointment request. We do not offer same-day counselling or walk-in appointments.

If you have stabilized through crisis intervention work but still have suicidal thoughts, as long as you are not actively contemplating suicide currently, we can help. Please contact us, and we’ll discuss working through the deeper issues to move you toward longer-term results, helping you regain a sense of control and improve your quality of life.

At Living Well Counselling Services, we are committed to supporting you on your personal journey toward healing. Our counsellors for depression can assist you in navigating the aspects of depression, including common symptoms like feelings of helplessness, depressive episodes, and depressed mood. We utilize various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive therapy, cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and direct counselling approaches, to provide comprehensive treatment for depression.

Whether you’re dealing with psychotic depression, atypical depression, or other forms of depression, our goal is to help you develop healthy relationships, enhance your life experiences, and equip you with life skills to handle challenges in life. We believe that with the right support and counselling sessions, you can overcome depression and achieve a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Contact Us

If you’re ready to take the step towards healing, reach out to us at Living Well Counselling Services. Let us help you navigate this difficult time and work together to get your depression under control. We are here to support you in your journey toward better mental health.

Affordable Calgary Counselling

Living Well Counselling Services
4803 Centre St NW #4, Calgary, AB T2E 2Z6
(403) 695-7911

Living Well Counselling Services
415 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 2A1
(403) 695-7911

Living Well Counselling Services
39-35 Inglewood Park SE, Calgary, AB T2G 1B5
(403) 695-7911

Living Well Counselling Services – Counselling Calgary
Located in: DOUGLASDALE PROFESSIONAL CENTRE, 11410 27 St SE #30B, Calgary, AB T2Z 3R6
(403) 695-7911