Psychotherapy & Counselling for Adults with Depression
in Kingston (Eastern Ontario) and Online

Lots of us talk about "feeling depressed," almost so casually it's like depression is normal and nothing serious these days. Even kids in primary school, when asked how they are feeling, will say "Depressed!" to express temporary feelings of sadness or lack of energy or joie de vivre. Depressed mood can certainly be a lighter phenomenon, with lighter problems and easier paths out (for example, a DQ visit always works for Dr. Kris' 8 year old!), and it makes sense that if you are noticing your mood is headed south, you tackle it with some professional treatment (i.e., psychotherapy and counselling from a licensed and experienced provider), sooner rather than later to keep things on a helpful trajectory, but what if it is a lot more than a few bad days?  ​ Depression can be a more serious set of symptoms that tend to cluster together and make many people who have these symptoms diagnosable with a mental health condition. Depression-related mental health disorders affect millions of people worldwide. More than feeling bummed that you spilled your DQ Blizzard, these are long-term experiences of profound sadness, hopelessness, and absence of motivation. Motivation is such a problem that depressed people can suffer other ill effects because taking care of themselves, such as by showering, or eating nutritious food, seems so effortful they just can't manage to do it. These issues are serious because it becomes impossible to meet the everyday demands of one's adult lives when such symptoms are severe and unremitting. Depression can also be expressed in our physical systems, where our bodies will show problems such as: fatigue that never responds to rest, changes in appetite (up or down), and difficulty sleeping (way too little, or way too much). Here, we're not talking about just temporarily feeling sad in response to something challenging that has happened, but clinically depressed people are stuck in a syndrome that can last for weeks, months or even years if not treated. ​ Depression is often a very complex problem with a number of interconnected issues at its roots. Research commonly indicates that depression can be related to factors such including genetics, brain chemistry, and meaningful life events. People who have a family history of depression are more likely to develop the condition, but that's not all that surprising, as it is quite depressing to be raised by a depressed parent who is unable to give you the attention or love that you need because of their own suffering, or if one of your siblings is in an out of hospital with suicide attempts. While research cites changes in the levels of certain chemicals in the brain, such as serotonin and norepinephrine as likely factors to consider in depression, medications designed to impact these chemical levels are often ineffective, suggesting that for many, there is a different approach needed, and "chemical imbalance" isn't really the story. In fact, if we investigated joy, for instance, and compared the brain chemistry of people who were experiencing joy with people who were just "ho-hum," we would see different chemical signatures during episodes of joy. But, doesn't that just make sense, anyways?  ​ In our clinic, the most consistent causes of depression are typically related to meaningful life experiences, many of them occurring early in a person's timeline, that change how we see others, ourselves, or the world at large. These changed views are particularly common after upsetting or traumatic interpersonal interactions (e.g., neglect, abuse, bullying, isolation and loneliness), losses, and other events that comprise developmental trauma. These types of life events alter thinking and interaction patterns, sometimes as a matter of perceived survival (e.g., "I have to keep everyone happy and never upset anyone in order to keep my siblings from harm and to be safe around my family"​ in the context of an alcoholic and violent parent, for example), and these patterns usually make a lot of sense in the difficult situation. However, as we get older, these patterns can bring us more upset, as efforts to survive situations that happened when we were younger, are usually outdated our seasons of adulthood. Oftentimes addressing problematic patterns of interpersonal interactions, while also coming to understand how they impact our views of ourselves and those around us, can be a recipe to get the heck out of chronic depression. ​ Effective treatment for depression is available. At our clinic, it is really a lot of radical common sense in unpacking how your past impacted you, as well as what you do and say in your adult life that may accidentally keep the inertia of depression stuck inside of you. Treatment at Limestone Clinic will usually include a combination of talk-therapy approaches, including psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive, and so then, yes, also cognitive-behavioural!. Brainspotting, a way to assist the brain to naturally heal itself, is often used to help a client's nervous system and emotional regulation system move naturally from dysregulation to a state of calm. Brainspotting does this with 100% therapist-guided, organic processes. These therapy approaches, used in just the right way for each individual, can help our clients to learn new ways to cope with or eliminate emotional distress and depressogenic thinking patterns. Lifestyle changes, otherwise known as additional radical common sense, such as exercising regularly, healthy eating, avoiding substances of abuse or excesses and vices, and good sleep hygiene, can also help to improve symptoms of depression. It is important to remember that everyone's experience with depression is unique, and it may take some trial and error to find the right treatment plan. It is essential to work closely with a licensed and skilled mental health professional to find the best treatment options. This sh*t won't go away with a vacation or a bubble bath. ​ It is important to note that depression is very often our brain and body's ways of trying to cope with meaningful and negative experiences over the course of our lifetime. Having depression is not a sign of weakness, nor is it something that one can simply "snap out of" through acts of force of will or fortitude. It is a serious medical condition that can benefit immensely from professional help and if we can say so - the sooner you get moving on the problem, the easier it is to get out of it. Depression can really impact its sufferers terribly, and it is for this reason that it is important not to ignore or be tempted to downplay symptoms of depression. At the risk of being repetitive, seeking help early usually makes a big difference in trajectory of your recovery. When depression starts to feel heavy and stuck, we feel ashamed and pessimistic that anything can help. At Limestone Clinic, we know what to do to help you, and we won't leave you up sh*t creek without a paddle. If you connect with us, you'll be feeling like you're sailing on a nice new ship to your new life with a pirate copilot, some sails, some oars, a compass, and maybe eve a sqwawky, somewhat inappopriate parrot. ​  Please don't fret. We know what to do and can start to help you, starting by mapping out more of what has happened to you and how the problem began. We believe in getting down to work on your recovery in your very first session. With tried-and-true methods and strategies, you can begin to better understand what happened to you, what's happening in your brain and body now, and how to build your beautiful new emotional life, in ways that are more helpful, less trigger-y, one helpful step at a time. ​ We got you, boo.