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Depression Counselling Vancouver

Are you experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness? Do everyday tasks feel overwhelming, and do you find it challenging to find joy or interest in activities you once enjoyed? Are you struggling to concentrate or make decisions? Have you noticed changes in your appetite or sleep patterns? Do you feel tired and low on energy most of the time? These could be signs of depression, and we have years of experience in depression treatment, guiding individuals toward healing and recovery.

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Our approach to Trauma treatment

Tailored Approach to Treatment

At Roya Counselling, we understand that each individual experiences depression differently. That's why we tailor our approach to fit your specific needs and circumstances. We draw from evidence-based approaches such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), and mindfulness techniques to provide personalized care.

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Years of Experience in Depression Treatment

We have years of experience in depression treatment, and we have helped many clients overcome their struggles and regain a sense of well-being. Our experience and expertise give us confidence and hope when working with clients who suffer from depression.

A holistic approach

Depression impacts different aspects of our lives, such as our thinking, our emotions, and our behaviours. Our approach targets depression from multiple angles and encompasses working with emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

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Developing Coping Strategies

Coping with depression can be challenging, but it is possible. Unfortunately sometimes we develop unhealthy coping strategies to cope with depression, We will help you develop healthy coping strategies to manage your symptoms and navigate through difficult times.

Helping You Find Meaning and Purpose

Depression can rob you of your sense of meaning and purpose in life. We will work with you to explore your values, interests, and goals, and help you reconnect with what brings you joy and fulfillment.

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Humans suffer from an endless number of emotional problems and challenges, most of these can be traced to developmental trauma “

Laurence Heller

What is Depression

Depression is way more than just feeling sad or down. It is a very common mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or worthlessness. Depression can impact one`s concentration level, energy level, relationships and one`s ability to enjoy life. It's important to recognize that depression is not a sign of weakness, and seeking help is a brave and important step toward healing.

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Signs of trauma?

Persistent Feeling of Sadness or Emptiness

If you find yourself feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time, it may be a sign of depression. These feelings can linger for weeks, months, or even longer, impacting your overall sense of well-being and enjoyment of life.

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Loss of Pleasure or Interest:

Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed can be a significant indicator of depression. Activities that you once enjoyed, such as hobbies, socializing with friends, or even spending time with loved ones may no longer bring you the same joy or fulfillment as before.

Changes in Appetite or Weigh:

Depression can affect your eating habits, leading to significant changes in appetite or weight. Some individuals may experience a decrease in appetite, resulting in weight loss, while others may find themselves turning to food for comfort, leading to weight gain.

Sleep Disturbances:

Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restless sleep are common symptoms of depression. On the other end of the spectrum, some individuals may find themselves oversleeping or struggling to get out of bed in the morning despite getting plenty of rest.

Avoidance Behaviors:

Avoidance behaviors, characterized by going to great lengths to avoid situations, places, or people that remind individuals of the traumatic experience, are common responses to unresolved trauma. In an effort to protect themselves from distressing memories or emotions, individuals may engage in avoidance behaviors as a means of coping with their trauma. While avoidance may provide temporary relief, it can ultimately perpetuate feelings of fear, isolation, and disconnection from oneself and others. Avoidance behaviors can manifest in various ways, such as avoiding specific locations associated with the trauma, withdrawing from social interactions, or numbing emotions through substance use. However, avoidance only serves to reinforce the power of the trauma and prevent individuals from fully processing and healing from their experiences.

Fatigue or Loss of Energy:

Feeling tired, exhausted, or lacking energy most days, regardless of how much rest you get, can be a sign of depression. This persistent fatigue can make it challenging to complete daily chores, go to work or engage in activities, further exacerbating feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.

Difficulty Concentrating:

Depression can impact your ability to focus, concentrate, or make decisions. You may find yourself easily distracted, forgetful, or struggling to remember important information, which can interfere with work, school, or other responsibilities.

Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt:

Experiencing feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and severe self-criticism are common in depression. These negative thoughts, which originate from depression, can contribute to a distorted self-image and further perpetuate feelings of sadness or hopelessness.

Thoughts of Death or Suicide:

Thoughts of death, dying, suicide, or engaging in suicidal behaviors are serious warning signs of depression. If you find yourself having frequent thoughts of wanting to escape or end your life, it's crucial to seek immediate help from a mental health professional or trusted support system. If you are in an immediate crisis and need to talk to someone immediately, please call the BC crisis line at 604-872-3311 or 911.

Physical Symptoms:

Depression can manifest not only in emotional symptoms but also in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, or back pain. These unexplained physical symptoms may persist despite medical treatment and are often called “psychosomatic pains.”

ADVANCED INTEGRATIVE TRAUMA THERAPY

With years of experience and specialized training in trauma therapy, I integrate approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) to aid clients in trauma recovery. Through IFS, clients integrate fragmented aspects of themselves, while EMDR processes traumatic memories, and AEDP fosters emotional processing. I tailor these evidence-based techniques to suit each client's needs.

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We cannot selectively numb emotions. When we numb the painful emotions, we also numb the positive ones “

Brene Brown

THE STEPS INVOLVED IN YOUR THERAPY PROCESS

  1. Schedule a complimentary consultation.
  2. Book your first session to kickstart your therapy process if we resonate with you.
  3. Keep in mind that therapy isn't a quick fix; consistency is vital for positive outcomes.
  4. Reflect on sessions and apply insights for maximum therapeutic benefits.
  5. Communicate what works and what doesn't; therapy is a collaborative process.
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Different types of DEPRESSION

Major depressive disorder:

Major depressive disorder is the most common form of depression and is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. Symptoms may include changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.

Persistent depressive disorder:

Persistent depressive disorder, also known as dysthymia, is a form of depression that lasts for two years or longer. Symptoms are similar to major depressive disorder but are less severe.

Postpartum depression:

Postpartum depression is a form of depression that can occur after giving birth. Symptoms may include sadness, difficulty bonding with the baby, changes in appetite and sleep, and feelings of hopelessness or worthlessness.

Seasonal affective disorder:

Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that occurs in the winter months when there is less sunlight. Symptoms may include low energy, increased appetite, weight gain, and difficulty sleeping.

Psychotic depression:

Psychotic depression is a form of depression that is characterized by hallucinations or delusions.

Bipolar disorder:

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by extreme mood swings between manic episodes (periods of high energy, euphoria, and impulsivity) and depressive episodes.

Situational depression:

Situational depression is a form of depression that occurs in response to a specific event or situation, such as the death of a loved one, job loss, or a breakup.

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FAQ

What causes depression?

Depression is a complex mental health issue and often results from a combination of life events, a person`s biology and the larger societal issues. It is essential to understand the complexity of depression as a therapist to deliver the best care for clients. My experience working with hundreds of depressed individuals has taught me about the complexities of dealing with and treating depression.

Does therapy help depression?

Therapy has shown to be very effective in the treatment of depression and, in some cases, has been as effective as antidepressant medications. It is important to remember that therapy for depression works best when it is done consistently.

Should I start therapy, or should I just take medications for depression?

You don't have to choose one over the other. Therapy can boost the benefits of antidepressants by giving you coping strategies and behavioral tools. In fact, research shows that a combination of medication and therapy is very effective in long lasting relief from depression.

What is treatment-resistant depression?

Treatment-resistant depression is a depression that does not respond to conventional treatments such as antidepressants or traditional talk therapy. Sometimes, trying a different therapeutic approach in counselling might provide relief. Other options, such as Ketamine-assisted therapy, might help in more severe cases.

What happens if I don't receive treatment for depression?

Untreated depression usually worsens over time. Untreated depression can also increase the risk of unhealthy habits such as drug and alcohol addiction and take a toll on your relationships and work.

Could health conditions lead to depression?

Some conditions, such as thyroid issues, severe iron deficiency, heart disease or cancer, can lead to depression or worsen the symptoms of depression.
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Roya Vojdani

About Roya Counselling

At Roya Counselling, we are committed to providing professional, ethical, and evidence-based counselling services that prioritize your well-being. We understand that seeking therapy can be a difficult and brave decision, and we honor the trust you place in us. We have personally experienced the transformative power of therapy, and we will never take your desire for healing lightly. 

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We believe in the inherent resilience of our clients, and our stance towards our clients is non-judgmental, compassionate and curious.
We feel very privileged to hear about our clients' hopes, goals and pains and witness them slowly recovering their peace, happiness and livelihood.