Starting counselling for depression is similar to driving. For example, you may struggle to get your car into a garage because you don’t have a trusted mechanic or one near you. Similarly, you may not have a trusted counsellor yet and may be hesitant to start. In counselling, I create a safe space and ensure you feel heard, validated, and supported. In counselling, we unpack your depression and how it impacts you. We discuss your coping mechanisms, and I share tools and strategies to cope when your depression comes to the surface. Some sessions may involve driving in difficult terrain as you share upsetting and painful experiences. But you are not alone; we process these experiences as we move forward together. You can pull over, slow down, or change lanes at any time. You gain new insight and understanding, which creates new experiences and awareness. Driving home after your counselling session, you feel validated, supported, reassured, and more resilient. You also feel more connected with your authentic self.
Hi, my name is Leena Mehta, and I’m glad you’re here. I am a registered clinical counsellor in Burnaby (#19428), and I’m here to support individuals who experience depression. You were not born feeling depressed. I support individuals like you who struggle with depression and low mood. I provide depression counselling in Burnaby and online, both to adults and youth.
I am a Burnaby therapist who supports you in healing and processing your depression. This happens in a safe, non-judgmental, and confidential space, both in person and online. Your feelings of depression do not define you. Some individuals struggle with getting outside, engaging in activities, and socialising with their friends as a result of their depression. Others struggle to get out of bed, shower, eat, and organise their room. I support you in overcoming these struggles and living your best life.
Struggling with feeling depressed? What if I told you that you can overcome these feelings and your low mood? Let’s work together and get curious about your depression.
Depression is a mood disorder which impacts how you think, feel and act. It is more than sadness and affects daily activities, including your ability to meet basic needs. Hobbies or other activities you previously enjoyed may no longer be enjoyable. You may struggle to sleep or to attend school or work. Your thoughts and self-talk may be negative and unkind. Negative core beliefs, like feeling worthless or unlovable, may surface. What if I told you that we can challenge these negative core beliefs and strengthen positive beliefs?
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby, I work with you to help you achieve your goals and improve your mental health. Starting counselling is a bold, brave step. Your depression isn’t a sign of weakness.
You may be a busy, successful professional who struggles with depression. At work, you are focused, you appear to have everything under control, and coworkers may admire your dedication and drive. However, internally, you may have days when you struggle to get to work, stay focused on a task, ask for help, or take a break. What if I told you that you are not the only one in your team who struggles with depression and low mood?
You may be a high-achieving student who struggles with depression. At school, you have lots of friends and often support them with their struggles. You finish schoolwork on time and take part in other school activities. However, you may struggle internally to stay focused and motivated to complete homework. What if I told you that many students struggle to stay motivated and experience low mood?
You may be a stay-at-home parent or caregiver who struggles with depression. At home, you may have everything under control and consistently meet your partner’s and children’s needs. However, internally, you may feel overwhelmed by how many tasks you complete, and some days you may struggle to get out of bed. What if I told you that other parents and caregivers struggle with depression and feeling overwhelmed?
At Ease Counselling in Burnaby provides a safe space to share and heal from your depression. You are more than your depression. It is one part of you, and we can make space for it. As your counsellor, I validate and reassure you. I don’t judge you or tell you what to do. As your counsellor, I empower you, and together we focus on your strengths.
Let’s make space for your depression. As your counsellor in Burnaby, I’m curious to learn about how your depression shows up, how you feel and what thoughts come up. You may not feel good about yourself when you feel depressed. We work together and focus on all of the good that is inside of you.
Does your depression have a shape? What colour is your depression? If you could touch your depression, what would it feel like? Let’s get really curious about your depression together.
Depression can impact your life in several ways. For example:
As your Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, I ensure you feel seen, heard, validated, and accepted. Starting your healing journey takes courage, and I am here to support you every step of the way. I know it’s hard to reach out and start, but you can do hard things.
Burnaby depression counselling provides a nonjudgmental, kind, and compassionate space to help you heal from your depression. Together, we focus on your needs, which may include the following:
I need your help in determining which counselling modality is a good fit for you. It’s okay if you don’t know. I use a variety of different counselling modalities to support clients with depression. Every client is different, and as a counsellor, I support each client with where they are in their healing journey. Counselling modalities that can help include:
ACT can help clients accept their thoughts and feelings without trying to change them. It can also help individuals change their behaviour so that it aligns more closely with their values. For example, saying no to others and maintaining healthy boundaries.
CBT can help individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns. It can also help individuals challenge thinking traps.
DBT can help individuals with emotional regulation by learning skills to help them cope. It can also help individuals learn strategies to cope with distress.
Starting counselling may feel like too much, but there are resources you can access in the meantime.
https://bc.cmha.ca/programs-and-services/
https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/mental-health/
https://keltymentalhealth.ca/
https://kidshelpphone.ca/
https://www.pac.bluecross.ca/mentalhealth
988 suicide crisis helpline
Burnaby depression counselling focuses on the connection between your thoughts, feelings, body sensations, and behaviour. When you feel sad or depressed, your body may shut down, a phenomenon commonly referred to as a freeze response. Your body is trying to protect you by shutting down. Fight or flight is another response. As a Burnaby therapist, I unpack how your body responds or reacts when you feel depressed. We also focus on your childhood trauma and your present struggles or places where you feel stuck. When your depression comes to the surface, for example, you may struggle to leave the house, look after yourself, and socialise with friends or family. Moreover, we may unpack your connection with yourself and others. When you feel depressed, you may also struggle with negative self-talk, low mood, and energy.
Burnaby depression counselling explores how your depression impacts your life. We explore how it affects your thoughts, feelings, view of self, and relationships with others. Some people feel bad or like they are bringing other people down with their depression. We also identify triggers and how you react or respond when triggered. Some people isolate themselves and withdraw from friends or family when they feel depressed. We focus on negative core beliefs, their origin, and how they impact your life. Individuals who struggle with depression sometimes hesitate to reach out as they fear being a burden or being too much. You are more than your depression; your depression does not define you. I support you in overcoming your fears, challenging negative core beliefs, and strengthening your relationship with yourself.
Burnaby depression counselling works with you to heal from experiences that result in you feeling depressed. You may have coping mechanisms, but these may no longer be effective. I share tools and strategies that help you cope and process your depression. As a Burnaby therapist, I support clients in identifying patterns of behaviour that may lead to feelings of depression. For example, some clients struggle with low self-esteem and negative self-talk, which impacts how they engage with others but also how they treat themselves. Some of your depression may stem from your childhood and unresolved issues. In these cases, some of our work together may include healing your inner child and understanding how your unresolved issues impact you as an adult. Finally, we focus on learning and developing self-kindness, self-compassion and self-love.
Depression can be caused by a range of different factors, including biological ones. For example, if your family has a history of struggling with depression, then you may be more likely to struggle with it. You may also have a chemical imbalance in your brain, and this may result in you feeling depressed. External factors, such as losing a loved one or a parent, may increase the possibility of experiencing depression. Adult childhood abuse survivors may struggle with feelings of depression. Health concerns such as cancer or chronic pain may also increase the likelihood of feeling depressed. What if I told you that depression is not something you can shake off and get over?
Therapy can help you reduce your feelings of depression. Some people find taking medication like antidepressants is helpful. Journaling or sharing your thoughts can help identify patterns. As your Burnaby therapist, I support clients in identifying thinking traps and changing patterns which no longer serve or benefit them. Engaging in physical activities, connecting with loved ones, and finding activities you enjoy can help.
Yes, it is possible to heal from depression. Every client has a unique healing journey, and while sometimes it takes time to process and recover, it is possible to heal. Counselling in Burnaby supports individuals who want to heal and recover from depression. As a Burnaby therapist, I have supported several clients in healing from depression, and I’ve supported them strengthen their positive self-talk.
You may be experiencing depression if you feel sad for a continuous period of time, and hobbies that once were enjoyable no longer bring you joy. You may struggle with feelings of emptiness and loneliness more frequently. You may lack energy for tasks and, as a result, you struggle to get out of bed, take a shower, eat three meals a day or sleep. Moreover, you may struggle with thoughts of ending your life. What if I told you that you are not to blame for your feelings of depression?
The number of sessions you may need varies from client to client. Every client I support as a Burnaby therapist is different, and their needs vary. I work with each client to establish goals, and we work together to achieve them. Clients who have been struggling for a while may need more sessions to help them unpack thought patterns and identify where they feel stuck. However, clients who have been struggling for a shorter period and seek support sooner may find they have less to unpack and process.
As a Burnaby BIPOC counsellor, sessions focus on meeting you where you are and working at your pace, alongside you, with compassion, kindness, and curiosity, both in-person and online.
As a Burnaby therapist, I incorporate evidence-based modalities in every session. I am trained in various evidence-based modalities, including Acceptance Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. Each of these modalities equips me to support your unique needs, and we work together to achieve your counselling goals.
As a Burnaby therapist, I understand the impact of inequality and oppression, providing a safe, non-judgmental, and inclusive space in-person and online. People from all ethnic backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations, including 2SLGBTQ+, are welcome. As a South Asian Burnaby therapist, I create a culturally sensitive space, and I am curious to learn more about your culture, norms, and values.
