480 Parkland Drive, Unit 201, Halifax, NS B3S 1P9

Depression feels like a weight you've been carrying too long

Get the treatment you need to start living better.

Depression Therapy in Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth, & Sackville

Depression feels like a weight you've been carrying too long

Get the treatment you need to start living better.

Depression Therapy in Halifax, Bedford, Dartmouth, & Sackville

Manage your symptoms
develop coping skills
find hope for a brighter future

What if life could feel easier?

When it feels too hard to shower, answer emails or talk on the phone.

When it’s a struggle to talk to your partner or bring up difficult conversations.

When saying “no” means someone isn’t getting their needs met but saying “yes” means you aren’t getting your needs met.

When avoidance, distraction or disconnection has become your number one coping strategy, it’s time for a change.

We can help you take the first step to overcoming depression.

Depression can feel like different things to different people

Depression is a common and serious condition that affects individuals on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Those struggling with depression may experience symptoms such as fatigue, loss of interest in activities, changes in appetite, difficulty sleeping and feelings of worthlessness.
Questions you can ask yourself:
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    Do you feel sad or disconnected from yourself and others?
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    Do your feel out of control in your life?
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    Are you confused about what you even want?
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    Do you feel overwhelmed with day-to-day tasks?
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    Have you forgotten what happiness feels like?
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    Do you feel like can't get out of your own way?

INTENTIONAL OUTCOMES COUNSELLING

How Our Depression Therapy Works

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We Connect

We get to know who you are and understand the struggles you’re facing.
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We Listen

We help you discover or uncover the person you are striving to become.
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We Help

We work with you on the skills, tools and actionable items you need to get there.

Therapists Specializing in Depression Therapy

Common Questions About Depression Therapy

Depression can feel like a lot to handle. The way it affects people can show up differently for each person. Depression is often characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It can lead to physical symptoms, such as changes in appetite, sleep, and energy levels. Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including genetics, life experiences, and brain chemistry.

It’s important to remember that depression is not a sign of weakness, and it’s not something that you can simply “snap out of.” However, with the right support and treatment, it is possible to manage and overcome the feelings that are keeping you from living fully.

In our sessions, we work together to explore the possible causes of your depression and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs. You are not alone in your experiences, and we know it is possible to find hope and healing.

The short answer is yes. Identifying the underlying causes of your depression and developing strategies to manage and overcome it may involve exploring and understanding the impact of past experiences, identifying and changing negative thought patterns, and developing coping skills to manage symptoms.

While therapy can be challenging at times, it can also be a rewarding experience that leads to greater self-awareness, personal growth, and a more fulfilling life.

If you are struggling with depression therapy can provide the support and guidance you need on your journey towards wellness.

The length of time it takes to see results from therapy for depression varies from person to person but many people begin to experience improvements within a few sessions. The average number of sessions is 8 to 10 to experience a greater level of well being. With time and dedication, individuals can learn how to manage their depression and find peace and well-being.
Medication can be an effective tool in the treatment of depression, but it is not necessary for everyone. Some people prefer to manage their depression through therapy and lifestyle changes, while others may benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. The best approach depends on the individual’s specific needs and preferences.

There are many strategies for managing depression and some techniques work better for different people. Effective techniques include exercise, mindfulness, developing a support network, and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. It’s also important to seek help and support when you’re struggling – whether that be through therapy, medication, or support groups.

Depression is not ...

Depression is a complex mental health disorder that affects your emotional, cognitive and even physical health. While it does often come with feeling sad, there’s lots more to it than that.

On the emotional front, depression can include feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, guilt, or a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Some people describe it as feeling “numb” or “empty” rather than specifically sad.

Physically, depression can significantly impact your appetite and sleep patterns. Some people may find they can’t sleep or eat, while others will do nothing but sleep and eat. The mental weight of the condition often results in very low energy, making you feel constantly exhausted or “slowed down.” Depression is often linked to various physical pains and conditions that you may not think to associate with it.

Cognitively, depression can make it hard to think, concentrate, or make decisions. People often describe it as a thick fog that fills their head. In some cases, people with depression may also have recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

The effects of depression are persistent and can’t be simply brushed away or ignored. They significantly interfere with your ability to function in daily life, which is what differentiates depression from normal bouts of sadness.

Being told to “snap out of it” not only invalidates your experience but also perpetuates harmful misconceptions about mental health. This phrase implies that overcoming depression is simply a matter of willpower or personal strength, when in reality, it’s a complex condition that’s thought to involve multiple factors including genetics, brain chemistry, hormones, and life circumstances.

Depression is a medical condition, and like many medical conditions, it often requires treatment to get better. It’s not something that you can simply decide to stop experiencing. There is hope though! Psychotherapy, along with lifestyle adjustments and possibly medication can significantly reduce your symptoms and help you live a happier, more fulfilling life.

People experiencing depression don’t always express it in the same way. Because of this, you may not even realize that depression is what you are experiencing. While the symptoms mentioned above are the most common signs of depression, they can vary in severity to the point that you can brush them off as “occasional sadness”.

“High functioning depression” or “smiling depression” is when a person seems completely fine on the outside, (successful and thriving even!), but inside they are struggling with feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness. It’s common for people to hide their feelings of depression due to stigma or a desire not to burden others.

It can also manifest differently depending on age or different personality types. A teenager struggling with depression may come across as irritable and irrational, for example, while in men it often shows up as anger, aggression or reckless behaviour.

Because depression symptoms include: difficulty concentrating, changes in appetite or weight, or feelings of fatigue, they can sometimes be mistaken for other issues or conditions, making it less apparent that the root cause is depression.

If you suspect that what you are feeling may be “smiling depression”, we can help you figure it out and get the support you need.

This is one of the most common and harmful misconceptions about depression. Hearing this, or having the thought run through your head can lead to feelings of guilt and shame that are not yours to carry.

Anyone, regardless of their strength or resilience, can experience depression. It is influenced by a variety of genetic, biochemical, environmental, and psychological components. You don’t need more willpower to overcome depression. In therapy, we can identify the root cause of your depression, help correct any imbalances and give you the tools you need to feel better.

The cause of depression cannot be boiled down to one specific cause or trigger. It’s true that certain events can trigger the symptoms of depression, such as the loss of a loved one, pregnancy and childbirth, or a significant life transitions, but symptoms can also appear when no obvious triggers have occurred.

Studies have shown that a person’s inherent brain chemistry or genetic predisposition can make them more vulnerable to developing depression.

It can also develop slowly over time, to the point where you may not even realize it until your symptoms are severe. It’s common for people to tell us that they have no idea when they even started to feel depressed.

Depression is not a sign of weakness, and it’s not something you can simply will away. It’s a medical condition that needs care and treatment just like any other illness.
You matter. Your mental health matters. We are here to help.
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How Do You Get Started?

The first step can feel like the hardest.
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Intentional Outcomes Counselling

Don't wait to reach out for help with depression.

Start living better.