Expert Depression Counselling and Therapy Services in Canada

Taking the First Step: Your Initial Contact

Starting therapy takes courage. We understand that reaching out can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already struggling with depression. That's why we've designed our first step to be as gentle and supportive as possible.

Your journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation. No commitment. No pressure. Just a warm conversation with Melissa Davies, our registered clinical counsellor, where you can share what's bringing you to therapy and ask any questions you might have. This brief connection helps us both determine if we're a good fit for your healing journey.

What to Expect During Your Initial Contact

During your consultation, we'll discuss your current concerns in a safe, non-judgmental space. Melissa will listen with compassion as you share what you're experiencing. You might talk about feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness that have been weighing you down. Perhaps you're struggling with motivation, sleep, or finding joy in activities you once loved.

This conversation isn't about diving deep into your history. It's about connection. Understanding. And helping you feel heard from the very first moment.

We'll also cover practical matters like scheduling, session formats, and insurance coverage. You'll learn about our flexible options including in-person sessions at our Nanaimo location, secure online video sessions, or phone consultations. We offer both 50-minute and 90-minute sessions to meet your unique needs.

Multiple Ways to Connect

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I'm not sure counselling is right for me?That's exactly what our free consultation is for. There's no obligation to continue after our initial conversation. Many people find that simply talking to a professional counsellor helps clarify their feelings about therapy.

Will I have to talk about everything in my first call?Absolutely not. Share only what feels comfortable. This initial conversation is about getting acquainted and seeing if we connect well together.

What if I get emotional during our consultation?Emotions are welcome here. Melissa creates a space where tears, frustration, or any feelings you're experiencing are met with understanding and support.

How quickly can I get started?We aim to minimize wait times. After your consultation, if you decide to move forward, we'll work together to schedule your first full session as soon as possible.

Do you accept insurance?Yes, we work with many insurance providers including Pacific Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, SunLife, and First Nations Health Authority. We can help verify your coverage during our initial contact.

You're Not Alone in This

Depression can make you feel isolated and hopeless. But reaching out today shows incredible strength. Every person who has found healing through therapy started exactly where you are now, with that first brave step of making contact.

Melissa brings years of experience supporting people through depression using approaches that honour your unique experience. Her methods include cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness practices, and somatic approaches that help both your mind and body heal.

Remember, seeking help isn't a sign of weakness. It's a powerful choice to prioritize your wellbeing and reclaim your life from depression.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

When you're ready, reach out through any of the contact methods above. We'll respond with warmth and without judgment. Your healing journey can begin with a simple email or phone call.

You deserve support. You deserve to feel better. And you deserve a life where depression doesn't define your days.

Take that first step today. We're here to walk alongside you.

Step 2: Assessment & Goal Setting

Your intake session is where we truly begin. This is our time together to understand your unique story, explore what brings you to counselling, and create a roadmap for your healing journey.

What Happens During Your Assessment

Think of this as a conversation, not an interrogation. We'll spend about 50 minutes together, either in person at our Nanaimo location, online, or by phone. You set the pace. I listen deeply.

During our time together, I'll use gentle assessment tools to better understand how you're feeling. These aren't tests you can pass or fail. Instead, they're simple questionnaires that help us measure things like mood patterns, anxiety levels, and overall wellbeing. Think of them as a snapshot of where you are today, so we can track your progress as we work together.

We might explore depression symptoms using a brief questionnaire that asks about sleep, energy, and mood over recent weeks. For anxiety, there's a short form that looks at worry patterns and physical sensations. These tools give us a common language to discuss your experiences and celebrate improvements along the way.

Preparing for Your Intake Session

Here's what to bring and how to prepare:

• Government issued photo ID
• Extended health insurance information if you plan to use benefits
• Any relevant medical information or previous counselling records
• A list of current medications, if comfortable sharing
• Your thoughts on what you hope to achieve through counselling
• Any questions about the counselling process

Before our session, take a few moments to reflect. What brought you here? What would feeling better look like in your daily life? There are no wrong answers. Your honesty guides our work together.

Setting Goals Together

Goal setting isn't about creating pressure. It's about hope.

We'll work collaboratively to identify what matters most to you. Maybe it's sleeping through the night again. Perhaps it's feeling confident in social situations. Or finding joy in activities you once loved. Your goals become our compass, pointing us toward what healing means for you specifically.

These goals can change as you grow. They're flexible, just like you are. We'll check in regularly about whether they still feel right, adjusting our direction as needed.

Common Concerns About Assessment

Cultural Sensitivity in Assessment

Your cultural background shapes your experience of mental health. I recognize this deeply. Our assessment process honours your cultural identity, family dynamics, and community connections. If you're Indigenous, we can incorporate traditional healing perspectives alongside conventional approaches. Your whole self is welcome here.

What Comes Next

After our intake session, we'll have a clear picture of where you are and where you want to go. Together, we'll design a treatment approach that feels right for you. This might include cognitive behavioural techniques, mindfulness practices, somatic work, or creative therapies like art or play therapy.

You'll leave this session with hope, a plan, and the knowledge that you're not walking this path alone. Your healing journey has officially begun, and I'm honoured to walk alongside you.

Remember: this assessment is the beginning of our partnership in your wellness. Take your time, breathe deeply, and trust the process.

Step 3: Ongoing Therapy Sessions & Treatment

Your healing journey unfolds here. Each session becomes a space where growth happens naturally, where insights emerge, and where you develop tools that serve you long after our time together ends.

What Your Sessions Look Like

Every session begins with connection. We check in. How are you feeling today? What's been happening since we last met? This isn't just small talk—it's the foundation that helps us understand where you are in this moment.

The heart of our work together varies based on what you need. Some days we might explore thought patterns that keep you stuck. Other sessions could involve creative expression through art therapy. We might practice mindfulness techniques that calm your nervous system. Or we could work with body awareness to release emotional tension you've been carrying.

Our approach draws from several therapeutic methods:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: We identify thoughts that fuel depression and develop healthier thinking patterns
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy: You learn skills for managing intense emotions and building distress tolerance
• Mindfulness practices: Meditation and breathwork help you stay present and reduce overwhelming feelings
• Art therapy: Creative expression becomes a pathway to process emotions that words can't capture
• Somatic approaches: We work with your body's wisdom to release stored trauma and stress

Each session closes with reflection. We summarize what emerged. We celebrate progress, however small. And we plan meaningful activities for the time between our meetings.

Your Practice Between Sessions

Healing happens in daily moments, not just during our weekly meetings. That's why we collaborate on practices that extend your therapeutic work into everyday life.

Your between-session activities might include:

These aren't assignments—they're invitations. We adjust everything based on what feels manageable and meaningful for you. Your feedback shapes what we try next.

Tracking Your Progress

Growth in depression recovery isn't always linear. Some days feel lighter. Others might feel heavy again. We track progress in ways that honour this natural rhythm of healing.

Together, we monitor changes through regular conversations about your mood, energy levels, and daily functioning. We use simple mood tracking tools that help you notice patterns over time. These aren't clinical tests with intimidating names—they're straightforward questionnaires that ask about your sleep, appetite, motivation, and overall sense of well-being.

We also celebrate qualitative changes. Maybe you had a difficult conversation without shutting down. Perhaps you noticed negative thoughts without believing them completely. Or you might have reached out for support instead of isolating. These moments matter deeply.

Support When You Need It

You're not alone between sessions. We establish clear communication boundaries that respect both your needs and professional guidelines. While I'm not available for crisis intervention outside our scheduled times, we create a support plan that includes appropriate resources for different situations.

For urgent concerns, we connect you with local crisis services in British Columbia. For non-urgent questions or brief check-ins, we establish appropriate contact methods that work within ethical boundaries.

Your safety and well-being remain the priority. We develop coping strategies for difficult moments and ensure you know exactly what resources are available when you need them most.

Your Role in This Process

You are the expert on your own experience. I bring professional knowledge and therapeutic skills, but you bring the wisdom of your lived experience and the courage to engage in this work.

This collaboration means you have choices. You can share feedback about what's working and what isn't. You can request adjustments to our approach. You can set the pace that feels right for your healing journey.

Your active participation—whether that's trying new techniques, sharing honestly about your experiences, or simply showing up consistently—becomes the foundation for meaningful change. Together, we create a therapeutic relationship that honours your autonomy while providing the support and guidance you need to move through depression toward greater well-being.

Step 4: Progress Evaluation & Completion

You've journeyed far. This final step celebrates your growth while ensuring you feel confident moving forward independently. We evaluate your progress together, create your personalized maintenance plan, and establish ongoing support options that honour your continued healing journey.

Recognizing Your Readiness for Completion

How do you know you're ready? The signs emerge naturally. You notice yourself handling difficult emotions with greater ease. Relationships feel more balanced and fulfilling. Daily challenges that once felt overwhelming now seem manageable.

We look for specific indicators together:

• Emotional stability: You can navigate ups and downs without feeling completely derailed
• Improved coping strategies: You actively use the tools we've developed during our sessions
• Enhanced self-awareness: You recognize your patterns and can adjust your responses
• Stronger relationships: Communication feels clearer and more authentic
• Renewed sense of purpose: You feel connected to your values and future goals
• Reduced symptoms: Depression symptoms occur less frequently and with less intensity

Comprehensive Progress Assessment

We measure your growth using multiple approaches. Simple questionnaires help us track symptom changes over time. These tools ask about your mood, energy levels, sleep patterns, and daily functioning. Think of them as emotional check-ups that show how far you've traveled.

More importantly, we discuss your personal experiences. What feels different in your life? How do you handle stress now compared to when we started? These conversations reveal progress that numbers alone cannot capture.

Creating Your Personalized Maintenance Plan

Healing continues beyond our sessions. Your maintenance plan becomes your roadmap for sustained wellness. We craft this together, ensuring it fits your lifestyle and preferences.

Your plan includes daily practices that support emotional balance. These might involve mindfulness exercises, journaling, physical activity, or creative pursuits. We identify your strongest coping strategies and build them into regular routines.

We also plan for challenging times. Life will present difficulties. Your maintenance plan prepares you with specific steps to take when you notice warning signs. This proactive approach helps prevent small setbacks from becoming major struggles.

Essential Elements of Your Maintenance Plan:

• Daily wellness practices: Simple activities that support your mental health
• Weekly check-ins with yourself: Structured time to assess your emotional state
• Monthly goal reviews: Opportunities to adjust and set new objectives
• Crisis response strategies: Clear steps for managing difficult periods
• Support network activation: When and how to reach out for help
• Professional support options: Resources for additional assistance when needed

Ongoing Support Options

Completion doesn't mean goodbye forever. We remain available as your healing journey continues. Many clients find comfort knowing support exists when they need it.

Booster sessions offer periodic check-ins. These shorter appointments help you maintain momentum and address new challenges as they arise. Some clients schedule these monthly, others prefer them seasonally or as needed.

Group support options connect you with others who understand your experience. These gatherings provide ongoing community and shared wisdom. The bonds formed often extend beyond formal sessions.

Crisis support ensures you're never alone during difficult times. We maintain clear protocols for urgent situations, whether through our practice or community resources.

Available Support Levels:

• Maintenance sessions: Monthly or quarterly check-ins to maintain progress
• Intensive support periods: Short-term increased frequency during life transitions
• Group programs: Ongoing community support with peers
• Crisis intervention: Immediate support during urgent situations
• Referral coordination: Connections to specialized services when appropriate

Celebrating Your Achievement

Take a moment to recognize your courage. You chose to seek help. You showed up consistently. You did the difficult work of examining your thoughts, feelings, and patterns. You practiced new skills even when they felt awkward. You persevered through setbacks.

This journey required tremendous strength. Depression can make everything feel impossible, yet you kept moving forward. You've developed tools that will serve you for years to come. You've proven to yourself that change is possible.

Your growth extends beyond symptom reduction. You've likely discovered new aspects of yourself, strengthened relationships, and clarified your values. These gains create a foundation for continued flourishing.

Looking Forward with Confidence

The future holds promise. You now possess skills and insights that depression once obscured. Challenges will still arise, but you're better equipped to handle them. You know how to seek support when needed. You understand your patterns and can intervene early.

Remember that healing isn't linear. Some days will feel easier than others. This is normal and expected. Your maintenance plan and support network provide stability during these natural fluctuations.

We're honoured to have been part of your healing journey. Your courage inspires not only your own transformation but also creates ripples of hope for others. You've proven that recovery is possible, that life can feel meaningful again, and that depression doesn't define your story.

As you move forward, carry with you the knowledge that you are resilient, capable, and worthy of the joy and peace you've worked so hard to achieve. Your journey continues, and we're here whenever you need us.