Depression Therapy in Port Coquitlam
A Clinical Definition of Depression
Depression is more than just feeling sad—it’s a persistent mood disorder that affects how you think, feel, and function. Clinically, it’s characterized by feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, and a lack of energy that lasts for weeks or longer. It can range from mild to severe and often requires professional support to manage.
Read More: The Truth about Depression and Mental Health
Symptoms of Depression
Emotional: Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability.
Physical: Fatigue, changes in appetite or sleep, and unexplained aches.
Cognitive: Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering details.
Behavioural: Withdrawing from social activities or losing interest in hobbies.
How Depression Can Show Up in Your Life
Depression can quietly take over your life, showing up as:
Struggling to get out of bed or complete daily tasks, even at work.
Feeling disconnected from friends, family, or activities you once loved.
A constant sense of guilt or worthlessness, no matter what you achieve.
Physical symptoms like headaches or digestive issues with no clear cause.
What Depression Actually Feels Like (Beyond the Stereotypes)
Clinically, depression involves persistent sadness, loss of interest, or hopelessness lasting weeks or months. But labels don’t capture the daily reality. Depression is…
Emotional Numbness
You don’t just feel “sad” – you feel empty, disconnected from the people and hobbies you once loved. Laughter feels forced. Joy seems out of reach.
Physical Heaviness
Your body aches without cause. Getting out of bed feels like moving through cement. Fatigue clings to you, even after hours of sleep.
Mental Static
Concentrating feels impossible. Decisions – even small ones, like what to eat – overwhelm you. Your inner voice whispers, “What’s the point?”
Isolation
You cancel plans, withdraw from loved ones, and hide behind “I’m fine” because explaining the pain feels too exhausting.
Are You Ready to Move Past These Symptoms?
Depression can make it hard to see a way forward, but healing is possible. At Serenity Counselling, we provide a safe space to explore your feelings, develop coping tools, and rediscover joy.
Ready to take the first step?—Book a free consultation.
Why “Snap Out of It” Hurts (And What Actually Helps)
If you’ve heard well-meaning advice like “just exercise more” or “think happy thoughts,” you know how isolating that feels. Depression isn’t laziness or a lack of willpower – it’s a complex battle that requires compassion, not judgment.
How Depression Therapy Creates Change
Uncover the Roots
We’ll explore what fuels your depression – unresolved grief, chronic stress, biological factors, or unprocessed trauma – so healing goes deeper than surface-level fixes.
Rebuild Connection
Depression thrives in isolation. Therapy offers a safe space to be heard without shame, helping you reconnect with yourself and others.
Small Steps, Big Shifts
Learn to challenge the “I’m worthless” narrative and set achievable goals, like cooking a meal or texting a friend, to rebuild confidence slowly.
Restore Your Body-Mind Balance
Address sleep issues, low energy, or appetite changes with somatic techniques and mindfulness to help your body recover alongside your mind.
Depression Doesn’t Get the Final Say
Healing isn’t about “being happy all the time.” It’s about:
Waking up with a little more energy to face the day.
Rediscovering moments of connection – a shared smile & a warm coffee
Trusting that the fog will lift, even if it takes time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I know if I'm depressed or just going through a rough patch?
You can tell if you're depressed versus just going through a rough patch by looking at how long these feelings have lasted and how much they're affecting your daily life. A rough patch usually gets better after a few days or weeks, but if you're depressed, that heavy, empty feeling sticks around for weeks or months. When you're depressed, simple things like getting out of bed, eating, or enjoying stuff you used to love becomes really hard. If you've been feeling this way for more than two weeks and it's messing with school, friends, or family, that's usually a sign you might be dealing with depression.
What's the difference between being sad and having depression?
The difference between being sad and having depression is that sadness comes and goes with specific situations, but depression feels like being stuck in a heavy fog that won't lift. When you're sad, you can usually still do your normal activities and feel better after crying or talking to someone. But having depression means that empty, hopeless feeling takes over everything - you might not even be able to cry, or nothing seems to help. Depression also affects your body with things like feeling exhausted all the time, changes in appetite, or physical aches that don't have a clear cause.
What should I expect in my first depression therapy session?
What you should expect in your first depression therapy session is a safe space to talk about what's been going on without judgment. Your first session is about me getting to know you and understanding how depression has been affecting your life. We'll talk about when you started feeling this way, what your days look like now, and what you're hoping will change. You don't need to worry about what to expect in your first depression therapy session, we'll go at your pace, and you won't have to share anything you're not ready to talk about.
Can depression therapy help if I feel numb instead of sad?
Yes, depression therapy can absolutely help if you feel numb instead of sad. Many people think depression always means crying or feeling super sad, but feeling numb is actually really common with depression. When you feel numb from depression, it's like your emotions have gone offline to protect you from overwhelming pain. In depression therapy, we'll gently help you reconnect with your feelings at a pace that feels safe, so that numbness doesn't have to be permanent.
Is it normal for depression to make me not want to see friends or family?
Yes, it's totally normal for depression to make you not want to see friends or family , isolation is one of the most common signs of depression. When depression makes you not want to see people, it's usually because socializing feels exhausting, you worry you'll bring others down, or you feel like you have to pretend to be okay. In depression therapy, we'll work on understanding why isolation feels safer right now and help you gradually reconnect with people who matter to you.
Does EMDR for depression feel overwhelming or make you feel worse?
EMDR for depression is designed to make difficult feelings more manageable, not worse, though I understand why you'd worry about that. When people ask "does EMDR for depression feel overwhelming," I tell them that we go super slow and you stay in control the whole time. If anything feels too intense during EMDR for depression, we can pause, slow down, or stop completely. Most people describe EMDR as feeling like they're watching their memories from a distance rather than being stuck in them, which actually helps the sadness feel less heavy.
How can I find a therapist who understands the challenges women face?
Look for therapists who work with women and understand the extra pressures women deal with. It's also helpful to find someone who gets your background and culture. Therapists like Zahra Lakhdhir and Suki O'Huallachain create a safe space where you can be yourself without being judged.