Depression Therapy

Edmonton, St. Albert & Leduc Counselling

You don’t have to experience depression indefinitely, and making the choice to change your circumstances can begin with therapy at Summit Counselling Services. You can experience feelings of worthiness and love again, see the good in the world, and find the energy to live the life you want. We can help.

A Depressed Mind Has Many Causes

Experiencing an upsetting and stressful event can be overwhelming, which can cause the mind to “shut down” in a way to protect itself and rest afterward. However, when the mind has trouble getting back to a normal, functional state, depression may follow. In this way, trauma and depression are often connected. 

Sometimes depression develops due to a lack of hope about our current circumstances, such as when we feel we can’t change a situation we’re in. Other times, depression has no external reason at all—it’s just a matter of brain chemistry or hormonal imbalance and has nothing to do with your circumstances.   

One in eight Canadians will have some form of depression at some point in their lives, but 80 percent of people who seek help for their depression can find relief through the right treatment. (1)

Comparing Yourself To Others Is A Huge Thief Of Joy In Our Culture

In a world of comparison, social media, and the push for people to constantly strive to be better, it's hard not to feel like we aren't good enough. It's challenging to have depression while also seeing the highlight reel of everyone's lives online when we feel like we can barely get through the day. 

Sometimes, our hardwired expectations for life can lead to depression, as life often doesn’t go the way we had planned. Some examples of this include self-critical and negative thinking, like “I should be married by now,” “I planned to have kids by this age,” “I STILL can't afford to live and I'm an adult,” etc. 

No matter the cause of your depression, counselling is about finding hope again. It's about showing you that there is another side to your circumstances, even if it doesn’t feel like it today. Counselling can help you see how you shine, so let's help you change your perspective together.  

Therapy for Depression Can Help You Get Back To Being You

Everyone experiences depression differently. At Summit Counselling Services, we will help you determine the best treatment for your situation to help you reduce and manage your symptoms. We will match you with a counsellor or psychologist who suits your needs based on what has led to your depression. Whether your depression stems from grief, trauma, postpartum issues, or another major life challenge, we’ll customize therapy to suit your needs. 

Sessions are usually scheduled weekly, but there is no set guideline for exactly how often you’ll meet with your psychologist, or for how long.  During sessions, your therapist will work with you to get to the root of the causes of your depression. They will help you understand all the ways it may be impacting your daily life, as it can be hard to objectively see that on your own. 

We can equip you with coping skills and mental exercises to get you to a place where you see the light at the end of the tunnel. We will show you how to challenge negative beliefs and find the motivation to live your life as you wish. Seeing yourself in a positive light can have a profound impact on your relief and recovery. 

Our Treatment Methods Are Tailored To Your Needs

We have registered psychologists and social workers who work in a variety of specialties. Some of the main treatment methods we use for depression include:

Person-Centered Therapy - This form of psychotherapy is based on the concept that you deeply wish to combat your depression and regain a sense of normalcy in your day-to-day functioning. You are the expert on your own life and can be trusted to guide the direction of your therapy sessions and treatment goals. No matter the circumstances, we tailor your therapy experience to you. 

Solution Focussed Therapy - With a focus on solving your problems as well as setting and reaching your goals, solution-focused therapy aims to help you heal your depression by looking forward instead of into the past. you will learn to keep your eyes on the future while you formulate a plan, motivate yourself accordingly, achieve your goals, and sustain your behavioural changes.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT involves identifying negative beliefs that sustain your depression, some of which you may not even be aware of before starting therapy. Once you notice the thought patterns that keep you in a depressed state, you can challenge them with trusted exercises that can reframe your thinking and help you form new habits.

With help and support, dealing with your depression can feel less overwhelming and you can find relief from the pain. Living with depression can leave you feeling so defeated that it helps to consider: what do you have to lose by going to therapy? You can feel uplifted again, maybe even more so than before you became depressed in the first place. Let's work on managing your depression together. 

You Might Still Have Questions About Depression Therapy…

I've felt this way forever and I don't think therapy will actually help.

When you think this way, it may be your depression talking, as hopelessness is a common symptom of depression. Ultimately, we won't know how you’ll respond to therapy until we try! Depending on the individual, depression may be successfully managed with counselling, medication, or a combination of both methods. There are a lot of different therapeutic interventions out there and one of them may be the right fit for you.

What if therapy doesn't work and it makes me feel even more hopeless?

If a treatment method doesn’t seem to have an impact on you after a certain amount of time, we can try a different type of therapy as other options are available. For instance, maybe you tried CBT but didn’t connect with that very effectively, so we may suggest trying another modality for treating depression, like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Additionally, if medication is deemed appropriate, we can support you in finding a psychiatrist to explore that option.

I can't even manage to leave my house some days, how am I going to add this to my plate?

With our telehealth option available, getting started doesn’t have to feel like such an insurmountable task. We can provide video therapy to anyone in the Alberta area. Once we’ve met through telehealth sessions, you will have the chance to practice what you’ve learned right away. Over time, you may find that your depression symptoms have become more manageable, and if you want, you can leave the house to meet with us in person. 

Let's Form A Plan For Your Depression Therapy Together

Summit Counselling Services has counsellors and psychologists available who can help you find relief from your depression. Reach out to our practice through our contact form, or give us a call at 780-217-4665 for a free consultation to determine which therapist is the right fit for you.

We are not a crisis centre, but if you are afraid of harming yourself or are experiencing emergency crisis symptoms to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Additionally, you can reach out to one of these helplines:

Talk Suicide Canada: (833) 456-4566. 

Alberta Mental Health Help Line: 1 (877) 303-2642. 

Alberta Addictions Helpline: 1 (866) 332-2322. 

Distress Line (Edmonton and area): (780) 482-4357.

Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, free from anywhere in Canada.

Summit Counselling Therapists Who Specialize in Depression:

To learn more about our team members, click here.

To book online with one of our therapists click on the above pictures.

Therapy for Depression – Edmonton, Leduc and St. Albert Psychologists

Summit Counselling Services

Depression Counselling In Edmonton, St. Albert and Leduc

10328 121 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5N 1K8, Canada

1 Tache St #203, St. Albert, AB T8N 1B4, Canada

For Directions to our Edmonton office, Click Here

For Directions to our St. Albert office, Click Here

Summit Counselling Services is a counselling clinic located in St. Albert, Leduc & Edmonton. We provide clinical services to children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, and families. We have a talented team of Edmonton psychologists, therapists and counsellors with a wide range of specializations and training at Summit Counselling Services. We would be honoured to walk beside you on your journey. At Summit, we believe in therapy your way. Our goal is to customize your psychotherapy and counselling sessions to best suit your needs. We believe in the differences and unique perspectives each person brings to therapy and incorporate these into our work with you.