Dr. Barbara Harris PhD, MSW, RSW

Counselling for Depression

Counselling Vancouver

What is Depression

People may experience either major or mild (dysthymic) depression. Depression is different than brief periods of sadness due to loss or a painful experience. Clinical depression involves overwhelming feelings of sadness, or emptiness and meaninglessness, for at least 2 weeks, along with at least 4 of the other symptoms mentioned below, and significantly interferes with daily functioning.

Symptoms of Depression

If you have at least 5 of the following symptoms, and they last more than 2 weeks you may be depressed:

• intense sadness for extended periods of time;
• loss of motivation and/or interest in daily life; emptiness, despair, and/or hopelessness
• inability to sleep or sleeping all the time;
• dramatic change in appetite  or weight;
• exhaustion and fatigue;
• agitation and irritability, uncontrollable negative thinking,
• low self worth,
• difficulty concentrating,
• suicidal thoughts (if you feel suicidal, please call the crisis line:  604-872-3311)

Treatment for Depression

Approaches to treating depression include counselling, and when necessary medication. Understanding the source of depression is critical to the ability to effectively treat it. Education, and interventions aimed at helping you cope with symptoms, manage stress, and develop preventive strategies are all beneficial aspects of counselling. It is also important to address the issues which led to depression in the first place.

Cognitive-Behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT is based on the assumption that our thoughts affect our feelings and behaviour, and that by addressing distortions in thinking, we can alter feelings and behaviours. There is also an assumption that our thinking leads to behaviour which reinforces negative feelings and thoughts, so CBT interventions address both thoughts and behaviours.

Freedom begins with a single step!

Simply contact me so we can decide together whether counselling is a good option for you at this time.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Dr Barbara Harris, PhD, MSW, RSW

Serving the whole Lower Mainland, including, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Surrey, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Tri-cities and Fraser Valley.

Counselling Vancouver provides:

Trauma Counselling, Counselling for Depression, and Counselling for Anxiety

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What is Trauma?, Symptoms of Trauma, Trauma and the Brain, Trauma Recovery, Approaches to Trauma Therapy

What is Depression?, Symptoms of Depression, Treatment for Depression

What is Anxiety?, Symptoms of Anxiety, Treatment for Anxiety

Helpful tips, Helpful links, Learn more about trauma