Depression Therapy in Calgary

Are You Feeling Stuck in a Fog of Despair?

• Do you feel like no matter what you do, the hopelessness just won’t lift?

• Are daily tasks feeling heavier than they should, leaving you exhausted or unmotivated?

• Do you find yourself withdrawing from the people and activities you once enjoyed?

If any of this resonates, you are not alone, and you are not weak. Depression is more than just a bad day or feeling “down.” It can affect your energy, your focus, your relationships, and your sense of self. For many, it can feel isolating, like no one truly understands the weight you’re carrying.

You may be wondering why you feel this way, especially if you’ve followed the prescribed path to happiness and success. You may be wondering why the things that help others don’t seem to work for you. Perhaps you’ve tried to push through, told yourself to “snap out of it,” or sought support but didn’t feel understood. These experiences can compound your frustration, leaving you with even more self-doubt and hopelessness.

But there is hope. With compassionate, trauma-informed therapy, you can begin to understand your depression, learn skills to manage it, and reconnect with (or discover) the things that give your life meaning. Together, we can explore a path forward that feels achievable, and one where you no longer have to face this alone.

Many people still believe depression is caused solely by chemical imbalances or genetics, but it’s never that simple. Life stressors, trauma, societal pressures, and even the systems we live within can all contribute to feelings of despair. Understanding this is essential: your depression is not a personal failure or weakness. It is a response to a combination of internal and external factors that can be addressed with support. Often, depression makes perfect sense given the state of our world and some of the challenges people face.  

People struggling with depression often notice:

• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or irritability

• Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies, work, or social activities

• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Self-critical thoughts or feelings of worthlessness

Experiencing these symptoms doesn’t mean you are “broken.” It means you are human. The good news is that therapy, particularly approaches that are trauma-informed, compassionate, and tailored to your needs, can help you regain balance and resilience.

How Depression Therapy Can Help

Therapy is a place to explore your thoughts, emotions, and patterns in a judgment-free space. Our approach integrates several modalities that research and experience show are effective in helping people overcome depression:

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT provides validation, continued motivation and a process to identify behavioral patterns. It also provides practical skills for managing intense emotions, reducing judgement and self-criticism, and improving your relationships with yourself and others. This approach is especially helpful if your depression is intertwined with anxiety, trauma, or negative thought patterns.

Narrative Therapy & Inner-Child Work

Sometimes depression is tied to the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Narrative therapy helps you examine and rewrite these stories in ways that are compassionate and empowering. Inner-child and reparenting work allow you to address unmet emotional needs from the past, creating a sense of safety and support within yourself.

Trauma-Informed Perspective

Everything we do is trauma-informed. This means we understand that your depression may be connected to experiences of past trauma, societal pressures, or systemic stressors, and we work together in ways that are gentle, validating, and non-re-traumatizing.

What You Can Expect in Therapy

When you start working with us, therapy is tailored to your needs, your pace, and your goals. We will:

• Validate your experience and provide information about depression and its impact on the brain and body.

• Explore what contributes to your depression: thought patterns, past experiences, current life stressors, societal pressures, and systemic impacts

• Learn practical coping strategies to manage emotions, build resilience, and reduce negative self-talk.

• Collaboratively create new behaviors and ways of functioning that support a life of contentment and hope.

Sessions are collaborative and non-judgmental. You are not “broken” or “wrong”. You are navigating complex challenges, and together we can find ways to make life feel more manageable and meaningful.

Why Choose Redesigning Mental Health?

We bring a compassionate, trauma-informed, and inclusive approach to therapy. Our work is influenced by evidence-based practices (DBT, narrative therapy, inner-child work) and by a deep understanding of how society, trauma, and systemic stressors impact mental health.

We work with adults, teens, and parents, offering both in-person therapy in Calgary and virtual/online sessions across Alberta and Saskatchewan. This flexibility ensures that support is accessible wherever you are, whenever you need it.

Common Concerns About Starting Therapy

• “I’m not sure therapy will help.” Many clients feel unsure at first. While lasting change will take some time, we are committed to providing meaningful relief of some symptoms in the first few sessions. There is no guarantee therapy will work, however, if you’re reading this page, I would guess not getting help is also not working. A 15-minute free consultation can help you get a sense of the process and ask any questions you may have.
  
  

• “I don’t have time.” Therapy is designed to fit into your life. With virtual options, you can meet from the comfort of home or work. We provide evening sessions as well. You and your mental health deserve to be a priority.
  
  

• “I don’t want to be judged.” Therapy is confidential and we actively work to create a safer space. Your experiences and feelings are valid and will be treated with respect and empathy.

• “The therapist likely won’t understand.” This sounds like depression talking. Depression can be very convincing when it argues that there is no point trying to change or ask for help. While there’s always a chance we may not understand, there’s also a much more likely chance we will. When you look at it that way, is it a chance worth taking?

Start Your Journey Toward Mental Wellness

Depression can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. With supportive, trauma-informed therapy, you can start to:

• Understand your depression and its sources

• Learn practical coping skills

• Heal from past trauma

• Reconnect with meaning, joy, and motivation