Counselling services
Expert Depression Counselling and Therapy in Calgary
If you’re struggling with depression in Calgary, we can help you through the practice of depression counselling with EMDR or cognitive therapy.
With a warm, calm, highly skilled therapist, depression is treatable.
What is Depression Counselling?
Depression is often referred to as the common cold of mental illness—and like the common cold, it’s increasingly prevalent in our fast-paced society. Depression is often linked to loss, anger turned inward, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, or external oppression.
People who experience depression often describe feeling overcome by an uncomfortable dark hole that they’re drowning in. Treating depression with counselling can help address these negative emotions and behaviours and support you in overcoming the experiences that initially led to depression.
The Different Types of Depression
Depression can range from mild to severe, with each type impacting your life differently.
Mild depression
Mild depression is characterized by symptoms that are sometimes present but manageable. Talking about what you’re going through can help promote changes quickly.
Moderate depression
Moderate depression is more concerning, with symptoms that are more intense and present for the majority of each day.
Severe depression
Severe/major depression has the most significant effect on day-to-day functioning, with symptoms present almost all the time. Someone with severe depression may not want to get out of bed and cannot work. It’s important to see a physician who can assess whether medication is needed.
Causes of Depression
Depression is a complex mental health illness that can arise from a combination of biological and environmental factors. Some of the most common concerns that lead to depression therapy include:
- Problems with drugs and/or alcohol
- Eating disorders
- Stress management issues
- Suicidal thinking
- Grief and loss
- Lack of motivation
- Isolation
Common Signs & Symptoms of Depression
The common depression symptoms and signs may vary but typically include:
- Low moods or sadness
- Feelings of guilt or hopelessness
- Feelings that life isn’t worth living
- Difficulty concentrating (e.g., when reading or watching television)
- Feelings of restlessness
- Lack of interest in daily activities
- Lack of energy and strength
- Lack of self-confidence and low self-esteem
- Difficulty sleeping
- Changes in appetite
- Negative thoughts and view on life
When Should You Seek Help for Depression?
Your mental health is important.
If you’re experiencing the signs and symptoms of depression, it’s best to reach out for help as soon as possible. It typically takes about 2–3 weeks to treat depression, and “leaving it” only tends to make things worse.
Depression Treatment Methods
At Can’t We Just Get Along Counselling, we use two evidence-based approaches to treat depression:
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
- Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
EMDR therapy
EMDR helps you understand the links between your life memories that haven’t been brought forward and adaptive learning.
The symptoms of depression often have underlying causes and can usually be traced back to thoughts, feelings, and body sensations from the past that are triggered and re-experienced in the present time. It’s a process that is so subtle many people don’t realize it’s happening.
EMDR therapy helps link the subconscious negative memory networks (mental pain, sadness, shame, guilt, lack of anger management, desire for isolation) to positive memory networks.
CBT
CBT helps you understand the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. This form of therapy can help identify distorted thinking patterns, body experiences, and emotional distress that contribute to the symptoms of depression.
About Our Depression Counselling Services
Can’t We Just Get Along Counselling in Calgary, Alberta, offers services with a registered clinical psychologist.
With us, you’re not just a number on a waiting list; you’re a valued client with personalized care and a treatment plan created specifically for you. Many of our clients have experienced depression and have been with us for years—and while they may not attend therapy all the time, they look to us as a safe space to come to get an outside perspective.
We also provide online counselling for maximum convenience, using a HIPPA-approved online platform that will ensure your confidentiality.
Get The Help You Need to Overcome Depression
As a client of Can’t We Just Get Along Counselling, here are just a few of the ways that we can help you deconstruct and understand yourself to overcome depression:
- Challenging maladaptive thinking patterns and finding positive ones
- Reframing problems
- Developing preferred interactions with yourself and the world around you
- Creating space to process and honour emotions
- Encouraging self-responsibility
- Exploring boundary setting
- Discussing family counselling and exploring current relationships in the context of the problem and the solution
- Offering recommended reading
If you’re experiencing depression, it’s important to seek out support before it gets worse. Depression is treatable, and getting help early on allows you the greatest chance of recovery.
Reach out to us to book your first appointment.
Book An Appointment For Depression Counselling in Calgary
Our Depression Counselling is led by highly-trained registered psychologists from our office in Calgary, Alberta.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no best therapy for depression. Treatment methods will entirely depend on personal preferences, the causes of the depression, and many more factors. When you book a depression counselling appointment with Can’t We Just Get Along Counselling, we will work together to find the best therapy that works for you and your specific needs.
If you’re feeling depressed, having suicidal thoughts, or feeling like your emotional health is plummeting, counselling can help treat your depression. Depression counselling will help you establish coping strategies to manage your symptoms better while educating you on ways to improve your emotional well-being.
Many Canadians struggle with depression. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, around 5.4% of the Canadian population is affected by major depression.
Yes, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a very real type of depression. SAD typically occurs during certain seasons when daylight is short, such as fall and winter. If you feel you may have SAD, we recommend contacting us and booking a counselling appointment. You’re not alone, and help is available.
When people are suffering, a one-year waitlist isn’t helpful. Our services provide quick, urgent assistance and are not covered by Alberta Health Services.
That said, psychological services provided by a registered psychologist are typically covered in full or in part by insurance or benefit plans, health spending accounts, or as medical tax deductions. If you have coverage, check with your provider to confirm that our services are included.
Our fees are based on the Association of Alberta Psychologists’ recommended fee schedule. Sessions are $200 per 50 minutes, payable at the end of each session for in-person therapy and the beginning of each session for online/video therapy.
Note: Fees for specialized services and treatments, such as EMDR therapy for couples and some of our groups and seminars, may exceed the current suggested guidelines.
No, you don’t need a referral from a doctor to seek out counselling services. Simply call us at 403-917-0764 and complete the intake form on our website prior to your first appointment.
We believe that attending therapy every two weeks provides the best outcomes. It allows life to go by in between sessions, offering time for homework and reflection.
Individuals who have a major depressive disorder or are in crisis may prefer to book weekly sessions, while those who are busy may prefer monthly. Our mental health counsellors are flexible to meet your needs.
Finding the right fit with your therapist is incredibly important. You want a comfortable, non-judgmental, safe environment to share your personal struggles and receive feedback and tools to help you overcome challenges.
Interview a few therapists before you decide. We’re happy to spend time speaking with you at length to answer questions you may have about us and the therapy we practice.
Good therapists tend to have some specific personality traits:
- Open, transparent, and direct
- Knowledgeable and well-educated in their area of practice
- Non-judgmental
- Strong communicator
- Flexible
- Trustworthy
If you’re looking for a Calgary depression psychologist, call us today—let’s meet, and you can decide if we’re the right fit. If not, we’re happy to offer referrals to other therapists so that you can find one who meets your needs.
It depends on your value system.
Psychological services and advocacy for your mental health, marriage, partnership, and relationships are an investment and can be challenging. The investment into therapy or counselling is much less than the cost of a divorce or the non-productivity of not being able to work. Anything valuable takes commitment and some sacrifice of time, effort, energy, and resources.
Take care of your health today so that you do not have to take care of your illness tomorrow.
—Unknown
For therapy to be beneficial, you must be ready for change, motivated to work with someone who is skilled in their field, and find the right therapist. Change typically happens when the cost of your pain becomes too great for change not to occur.
You’ll know by the experience you have whether therapy was worth it. Trusting your own instinct is best.
We offer a variety of counselling services, including:
Yes! We offer online depression counselling, so you can receive the treatment you deserve from the comfort of your home.
