Depression Therapy

Carrying Too Much for Too Long.

Nanaimo • Squamish • Online Counselling

Individual & Couples Counselling | Workshops & Intensives

Now Accepting New Clients

Is This You?

When Effort Stops Working

You may feel like everything takes more effort than it should. Getting out of bed feels heavy. Decisions feel overwhelming. Things you know should matter don’t register the way they used to .

You might still be functioning – working, parenting, and showing up – but inside, something feels dulled or disconnected. You may tell yourself you’re unmotivated or lazy. You keep asking: “Why can’t I get myself moving?” .

Withdrawal is Often Protection

For many people, depression develops after long periods of stress, pressure, or emotional responsibility. When the effort you’re putting in stops feeling effective, the system pulls back to conserve energy. What looks like giving up is often your nervous system trying to protect you from further depletion .

Common Signs of Depression

Depression doesn’t look dramatic. Often, it looks like endurance. You may recognize yourself in these patterns:

The Heaviness: Persistent low mood or exhaustion that doesn’t improve with rest.
Emotional Numbness: Feeling flat, disconnected, or going through the motions.
Loss of Spark: Losing interest or pleasure in things that once mattered.
The Fog: Trouble concentrating, remembering details, or making simple decisions.
Harsh Self-Criticism: Constant feelings of guilt, inadequacy, or letting others down.
Isolation: Withdrawing from people because it feels like too much work to engage.

Manifestations of Depression

Our Approach: Mind & Body

Depression isn’t fixed by insight alone, and motivation doesn’t return through self-criticism. We use a combination of CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic therapy to address both your thought patterns and your nervous system regulation.

Phase 1: Shifting Thoughts (CBT)

Depression is fed by negative core beliefs (e.g., “I’m failing,” “It’s hopeless”). We use CBT to identify these harsh inner narratives and gently challenge them so they stop reinforcing the shutdown. We replace global self-blame with self-compassion.

Phase 2: Rebuilding Momentum (DBT)

When depression isn’t logical, when everything just feels heavy, we use DBT. We focus on Behavioural Activation: making small, incremental changes to shift your state. The goal is to gradually re-engage with life without overwhelming your system.

Phase 3: Sustainable Change

Therapy isn’t about forcing happiness. It’s about helping your system come back online at a pace that is respectful of what you’ve been carrying. We work to reduce depression’s control so it no longer defines your energy or your choices.

Meet Our Depression Therapy Team

Ryan Slobodian

FOUNDER / THERAPIST

Nick Abraham

ADDICTION & TRAUMA THERAPIST

Meesha Parmar

INDIVIDUAL THERAPIST

FAQ: Depression Therapy

Making Sense of Your Symptoms

How do I know if it's "just stress" or something more serious?

Stress is usually a reaction to a specific pressure (like work or a deadline) and goes away when the situation resolves. Anxiety lingers even when the stressor is gone, often involving constant worry or physical tension. Depression is marked by persistent hopelessness, emptiness, or a loss of interest in life that lasts for weeks. If these feelings interfere with your ability to sleep, work, or connect with others, it is time to seek support .

Can I have anxiety and depression at the same time?

Yes. It is very common to experience both. You might feel “wired” and restless (anxiety) while also feeling hopeless or exhausted (depression). Treatment often addresses both conditions simultaneously through therapy and self-care strategies .

When should I seek professional help?

You do not need to wait until you are in crisis. You should seek help if symptoms are affecting your relationships, your work, or your physical health. Early support makes recovery easier and prevents symptoms from becoming deeply entrenched .

Treatment & Recovery

What treatments actually work?

Depression and anxiety are highly treatable. Evidence-based approaches include Counselling (like CBT or EMDR), Medication (to balance brain chemistry), and Skill-Building (like mindfulness). At Stone Reef, we tailor the approach to you, whether that means processing past trauma or just learning tools to get through the day .

Do I have to take medication?

Not necessarily. Medication can be a helpful tool to stabilize symptoms, but it is rarely the only answer. Many people find relief through therapy and lifestyle changes alone. If medication is needed, it is most effective when combined with counselling. We can discuss what feels right for you and coordinate with your doctor if needed .

Can't I just wait it out?

Sometimes symptoms improve on their own, but often they return or worsen without support. Depression and anxiety can become cyclical. Learning coping skills now gives you a toolkit to prevent future relapses, rather than just surviving the current wave .

Logistics & BC Resources

Is therapy covered by MSP?

In most cases, private counselling is not covered by the Medical Services Plan (MSP) in BC unless it is provided by a psychiatrist or through a hospital program. However, many people use Extended Health Benefits (through work) or access low-cost community options.

What if I cannot afford private therapy?

There are excellent free and low-cost resources at Stone Reef and throughout BC:

Free or “Pay What You Can Afford” Sessions through Stone Reef Student Therapists
BounceBack BC: Free skill-building and coaching for mild/moderate depression/anxiety.
Foundry BC: Free counselling for youth ages 12–24.
Mental Health Units: Your local health authority offers community services .

Who can I call if I feel unsafe right now?

If you are overwhelmed or having thoughts of suicide, support is available 24/7:

Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988
BC Crisis Line: 310-6789 (no area code needed)
HealthLink BC: Call 811 for non-emergency health advice .