Depression
Even the Things that Matter Can Feel Far Away.
Depression can create distance from the parts of life that once felt meaningful.
You may still go to work. See friends. Take care of your family. Do the things you’re supposed to do. But they may not reach you in quite the same way.
For some people, depression feels like sadness. For others, it is emptiness, exhaustion, irritability, numbness or simply not feeling much of anything. Things that once brought pleasure can feel like effort. You may withdraw from people while also feeling painfully alone.
Sometimes you know something matters to you—you just can’t feel why it matters in the way you once did.
You don’t have to keep feeling this way. Therapy can help you reconnect with yourself, your relationships, and the parts of life that matter to you.
Treatment for Depression
There are numerous effective therapies for depressive disorders. Although there is overlap between these, each approach has a different primary focus for change. Some of the more common approaches include:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT): CBT targets your thoughts and behaviours with a goal of changing negative or unhelpful thinking patterns and engaging in behaviours that are rewarding.
Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT): EFT targets an individual’s narrowed emotional experience and focus on transforming maladaptive emotions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): ACT focuses on changing your relationship to your thoughts and emotions and taking committed action toward a more meaningful life based on your personal values.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT): IPT addresses relational problems contributing to depression as well as enhancing social support.
These therapies have all proven effective and can lead to reductions in depressive symptoms, interpersonal distress, and negative beliefs about self, others, and the world. Therapy for depression has also been shown to result in benefits such as healthier coping skills, improved social and intimate relationships, increased self-esteem and renewed connection to positive emotions.
Finding the right approach to depression treatment starts with understanding your individual needs. Our team can help you explore your options and connect with a psychologist who may be a good fit.