How We Help You Treat Depression
Depression, the most common mood disorder, is probably a factor for most people who seek counselling therapy – whether they know they are looking for depression therapy or not. Depression sometimes is the result of situational factors, such as external threat and stress, racism, pace of life and many other environmental factors. In some cases depression can be rooted in people’s inability to deal with existential issues, such as grief and lack of meaning, or in people experiencing a spiritual void. A wider variety of approaches to depression therapy and non-pharmacological treatments than ever before have been proven effective for treating depression.Why not use medication alone?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by medication. There is a saying among therapists that ‘pills don’t teach skills’. Instead of just treating the symptom, depression therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness. NIMH research on depression treatment is clear, even when someone has a major depression that responds to medication, psychotherapy is a useful tool that helps people find new ways to think about their lives and approach difficulties they face. Working with your medical doctor we can determine what’s best for you, and although in some cases a combination of medication and therapy is a good option, we always encourage all possible therapy-based approaches. There are many people for whom depression has clear biochemical foundations, and for them, medication can be a very useful aid in getting through the acute phase of an illness. There are others who need to remain on an antidepressant for longer periods of time. But even for those whose treatment includes medication, depression therapy is important alongside the medication to maintain healthy lifestyle factors.
What happens in Depression Therapy
Treating depression absolutely needs to start with a warm, welcoming, and accepting rapport. Nobody wants to be depressed. Nobody decides to be depressed. So, we start with compassion and understanding.
Treatment typically operates on three levels: 1) the behavioral level where we examine the situational factors; stresses at work or extended family that might be burdening a person; and also selecting new behaviors to implement that have beeen clinically proven to improve mood; 2) the emotional level where we look for sources of negative emotion, unresolved grief for example, and also selecting strategies that have been clinically proven to directly change emotional states; and 3) the cognitive level where we examine faulty, self-defeating and pessimistic automatic thought processes and change those with more adaptive, accurate and life-giving thought processes. .
Further, in our work together we will likely:
- Use a problem solving approach to figure out what your stressors are and how to address them
- Look at the things that work and don’t work for you in managing your mood
- Target practical and more importantly doable steps you can use to improve your outlook on life
- Carefully assess the coping skills you have and those you would like to develop
- Investigate the underlying meaning of your mood as it connects to other aspects of your life
Depression certainly gets a person’s attention and should serve as an opportunity to slow down and take stock—to figure out what is going well and what might need to change in one’s life. It is also an opportunity to learn new skills.
The therapists at Russell & Associates know that research has identified that depression looks different in children than adult depression; and depression in men frequently looks different than depression in women.
The most important message here is that it is key to reach out for help for treatment for depression from a trained therapist and reach out to your social network for support. Help is available and the sooner help is accessed the less the life impact of depression.
Reach Out Today. Contact Us For Depression Therapy
Reach out today to one of our caring, compassionate counselling therapists in Winnipeg.
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Of course, the best kind of depression therapy involves getting help from different perspectives. So, here are some other places where great help for depression is available.
The Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba offer services for those with depression and their loved ones. They offer services for women, youth, public education and even SAD light rental.
Imagine Mental Health Matters is a non-profit group of caring individuals who are committed to raising public awareness & erasing the Stigma surrounding Mental Health Issues & Suicide.
The Mood Disorders Society of Canada is a Canadian web site providing credible information on depresson and bipolar disorder.
Healthline provides some credible and current information on bipolar disorder.
Student Suicide & Depression Awareness Guide just as the name suggests, this site provides info on suicidality among adolescents and young adults.
