One of the main objectives of psychotherapy is to address emotion dysregulation that causes suffering, dysfunctional symptoms and distress in people.
We provide treatment for a variety of anxiety, mood, and trauma-related disorders, including panic disorder, PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, depression, specific phobia, insomnia, mind-body conditions, etc.
Below are descriptions of some of the conditions we treat and common symptoms associated with them.
The signs of mental illness aren’t always obvious. Subtle changes in mood or behaviour are often attributed to regular stress. There’s a tendency to dismiss it, but depression (extreme sadness, worthlessness, or hopelessness) and anxiety (debilitating worry and agitation) do not need to be routine parts of life. Getting help for these feelings can help you maintain your health and enjoy life to the fullest. Sometimes recognizing depression and anxiety takes a little honest reflection about your behaviours, feelings, and habits.
Depression and anxiety can occur at the same time. In fact, it’s been estimated that 45 percent of people with one mental health condition meet the criteria for two or more disorders. One study found that half of people with either anxiety or depression have the other condition.
The most common signs of anxiety disorder include:
Depression is different from anxiety. Rather than feeling anxious and nervous, feelings of gloom and melancholy overwhelm.
Common symptoms of depression include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a set of reactions that can develop in people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event that threatens their life or safety (or others around them). They can involve actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual abuse. Following a traumatic event, the impact on individuals is expected to decrease over time with a return to normal daily function. For some, however, the experience may result in on-going symptoms that interfere with day-to-day life. Nearly a quarter of people who experience severe trauma go on to develop PTSD (or post-traumatic stress disorder).
Having a job that increases your risk of being exposed to traumatic events, such as first responders, including police, firefighters, paramedics, corrections and military personnel. Symptoms of PTSD are often grouped into types. These types include: avoidance, intrusive memories, changes in emotional reactions, and negative changes in thinking and mood. The most common symptoms of include flashbacks, jumpiness, emotional detachment, avoidance, sleep disturbance, and cognitive difficulties. These symptoms can come and go and vary in intensity.
Complex PTSD is a relatively recent concept. It might be diagnosed when a person has experienced trauma on an ongoing basis. Most frequently, this trauma involves long-term physical, emotional, or sexual abuse. The following are some examples of trauma that can cause complex PTSD:
People with PTSD or complex PTSD may also experience: