Depression & Low Mood
Low mood can emerge gradually or suddenly, and it often affects far more than motivation. You may notice changes in energy, sleep, concentration, or your ability to feel connected to others or to yourself. For some people, depression feels heavy and slow; for others, it feels flat, numb, or quietly overwhelming.
Counselling offers a steady place to explore these experiences at a pace that feels manageable — without pressure to “snap out of it” or push beyond what you can currently do.
Sessions are available in person in Saanich and online across British Columbia.
How Depression Often Shows Up
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People seek counselling for symptoms such as:
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• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected
• Persistent sadness, heaviness, or emptiness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Loss of motivation or interest in things that once mattered
• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy
• Irritability, withdrawal, or a sense of isolation
• Feeling overwhelmed by daily tasks or responsibilities
These experiences can feel confusing or discouraging, and you don’t need to navigate them alone.
Understanding Your Experience
Depression is not a personal failure. It can be shaped by many factors — including burnout, stress, grief, chronic health challenges, family dynamics, or long-standing patterns of self-criticism. In counselling, we take time to understand what’s contributing to your low mood and how it’s affecting your life.
This may involve exploring:
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• Patterns in thoughts, emotions, and behaviour
• Internal expectations and pressures
• Relationship or family dynamics that create emotional strain
• The impact of health issues or fatigue
• Experiences of grief or unresolved loss
• Ways of coping that once helped but now feel limiting
The goal is clarity and support — not judgment or assumptions.
A Calmer, More Grounded Approach
Early sessions often focus on helping you feel more anchored and steady. This might include identifying what feels most overwhelming right now, reducing emotional pressure where possible, and exploring small, realistic steps that can support your wellbeing.
As therapy continues, we may focus on:
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• Building emotional awareness and self-compassion
• Understanding depressive patterns rather than fighting them
• Developing coping skills that feel achievable
• Creating structure where it supports, and reducing demands where needed
• Exploring meaning, values, and direction in your life
There is no rush. We work at a pace that respects your capacity.
Therapeutic Approaches
I draw from person-centred therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These approaches can help reduce emotional overwhelm, improve coping, and support steadier, more grounded daily functioning.
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You’re Not Expected to Carry This Alone
Depression can make it difficult to reach out or even imagine things changing. Counselling offers a space where you can slow down, be honest about what you’re feeling, and explore what might support you, without pressure, assumptions, or expectations.
If you’d like to see whether counselling feels like a good fit, you’re welcome to book a complimentary consultation or schedule a session.