Chronic Pain, Depression Counsellors

Chronic Pain, Depression

Chronic pain brings hundreds of people to therapy every week. Many physical and psychological issues can cause chronic pain and it is important to rule out any medical causes and get treatment by speaking to a physician.

Some people experience chronic pain as the result of untreated emotional overwhelm, unexpressed anger, depression or grief. Symptoms of chronic pain typically include headaches; muscle tension, pain or fatigue;  shooting nerve pains, and tension in the back, neck and shoulders.

Many people with chronic pain disorder are reluctant to explore the emotional causes of their pain for fear of being told that they are inventing the symptoms. However, true somaticizing is a very real condition in which the emotions are unable to leave the body.

Another reason why people are loathe to admit the emotional roots of their pain, is that they fear that there would be no medical cure. Chronic pain with an emotional root requires that they confront the emotions that have been hidden away, and this can be challenging.

Therapists and psychologists who do  chronic pain therapy offer a confidential and safe environment in which people can explore pent-up emotions and as a result experience short term and long term relief. Symptoms caused by long term emotional build-up may require long-term treatment and due to the physical changes, some medical intervention and active physiotherapy is often very important as well.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who works with chronic pain you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Depression is the most common psychological condition, and most people experience it at one point or another in their lives.

Symptoms of depression include lethargy, low self esteem, a feeling of sadness, helplessness, hopelessness, anxiety, dysphoric mood and even suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed usually feel a lack of energy and a lack of pleasure and they may be agitated or irritable.

Since there are so many causes to depression, which boils down to a natural response to life experiences (a defence mechanism), each situation warrants a thorough investigation into the exact catalyst. Depending on what causes a specific incidence of depression, a treatment plan can be developed to help the individual deal with his or her emotions.

Some people are predisposed to depression in that it can run in the family. In many cases, it is learned when someone is constantly exposed to it.

Counselling can help a person to adapt to life changes that are causing grief, particularly with bereavement or marital issues. Systemic therapy is helpful in family therapy, where the efforts of the whole family can help the individual. Psychodynamic therapy helps a person to find the hidden psychological defences that cause problems to manifest. Cognitive behavioral therapy focuses on the problem at hand, providing solutions to day-to-day issues and finding ways to restructure negative thought patterns.

If you are looking for a counsellor or psychologist who has training and experience in depression counselling you may want to search the directory to find a professional whose approach will suit you best.

Note: You may narrow your search by selecting more than one filter below.

Lauren Wright

M.Couns., RCC
    • Online booking
Life can feel so confusing and overwhelming and we find ourselves stuck in patterns that we just can’t seem to get out of. Sometimes we feel like we just don’t recognize ourselves anymore, or that we’... Read more

Ira Yakubovitz

M.S.W., RSW
    • Online booking
Helping people to find their way through mid-life’s challenges and transitions. Life can be a wonderful mix of challenges and opportunities. Lately it may feel like mostly demands and responsibilities have been... Read more

Samantha Hunt

M.S.W., RSW
Have you been struggling with trying to create changes in your life, but for some reason you keep continuing old patterns?  Have you been struggling with feeling stuck in working towards the life that you imagine... Read more

Fay Ferris

M.Ed., RCC
    • Audio on profile
 I am now offering online or virtual and telephone counselling only.  I have focused my practice on Couples Counselling and Individuals struggling with Depression and Anxiety and relationship isssues. Using... Read more

Jason Lehmann

M.A., RCC
*NOW ACCEPTING CREDIT CARDS, CASH, CHEQUE, OR E-TRANSFER *Over 11 years of clinical practice.  Some Information about the work  Clients present a number of problem areas, or life issues. Jason... Read more

Carly Dobson

M.A., RCC
Carly is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) as well as a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC) and she holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology. Emphasizing a counselling approach that integrates the concepts... Read more

Sarah Hickinbottom

Ph.D., RCC
CURRENTLY NOT ACCPETING NEW CLIENTS Counselling for Individuals Facing Significant Personal and/or Professional Transitions Sarah's practice is focused on working collaboratively with clients facing unexpected... Read more

Sandra Clark

Ph.D., R.Psych
Dr. Clark has been a psychologist for over 25 years and works in a variety of capacities including direct service, teaching and supervision to professionals and students, and she is involved with provincial and... Read more

Carly Goodfellow

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
*I am pleased to offer online Videoconferencing for counselling and hypnotherapy appointments.* You are not alone. Are you struggling with your feelings day after day? Do you feel life is harder that it... Read more

Krista Blatchford

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Krista (she/her) has many years experience working with children (6+), adolescents, adults, parents and families. Before completing her Masters in Counselling Psychology and becoming a therapist, she was a youth worker... Read more

Scott Harrison

M.A., RCC
Scott is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors. Scott weaves the science and art of clinical counselling into therapeutic conversations that focus on solutions and strengths... Read more

Jude Weir

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Counseling is about transforming relationships and lives - it might be about the relationship we have with ourselves or with others. Maybe it's about addressing specific problems so you can move... Read more

Kristen Holbrook

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
Are you wondering if counselling is right for you? There are many reasons why people seek counselling such as to further self-exploration, to break old patterns keeping you from reaching your ... Read more

Yoly Lin

M.A., RCC
Welcome! Congratulation on taking this brave step of the journey towards authentic connection!   If you:      - are suffering from feeling anxious, depressed, panic or emotional breakdown... Read more

Kimi Combow-Gill

M.Ed., RCC
Kimi has a Masters Degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. She is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors and is bound by... Read more

John Taylor

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
Relationships make the world go round; they can also make your world miserable when things aren't working. I am a trained couples counsellor with the tools and intuition to help you improve... Read more

Michelle Waters

M.A., RCC
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Welcome. I help people who feel stuck in life.  Perhaps they know that they need to end a relationship or start a new career.  Some people are stuck in long-term anxiety and depression that hasn't changed... Read more

Joanne Duma

Ed.D., R.Psych
** Please note that my practice is currently full and that I'm not accepting new clients at this time. ** Dr. Duma is a registered psychologist who completed her Doctorate in Counselling Psychology at the... Read more

Amber Lowdermilk

MCP, RCC
    • Online booking
I believe that you are the expert of your own story and my role is to provide a comfortable space for you to unpack whatever is getting in the way of your day-to-day functioning. The platform of my approach is based on... Read more

Susanne Leach

M.S.W., RSW
Do you want to build a life that is worth living, filled with healthy balanced relationships with friends, family and important people in your life?  Do you want to build a stronger understanding of yourself and... Read more

Marie Lembesis

M.Ed., RCC
Marie Lembesis, M.Ed., RCC, RRP, CCRC CVRP(F) has a practice that comprises vocational diagnostics, career counselling and personal counselling for individuals aged 16 and up. Her diagnostic work includes... Read more

Michele Francis

MCP, RCC
You are important and what you have to say matters! Taking the first step to looking for counselling tells me your mental and emotional wellbeing matters to you. You are not willing to sit by and let challenges... Read more

Thomas Wiens

Ph.D., R.Psych
    • Video on profile
    • Online booking
Dr. Wiens is currently accepting new clients and has availability.  New clients can book video appointments or in-person appointments online at www.drwiens.ca   Dr. Wiens assists professionals... Read more

Xavier Williams

MCP, CCC
I take an existential-phenomenological view when working with clients—which means that I seek to be open to whatever issues you bring to our sessions, without judgement or applying my interpretation. Together we... Read more

Munira Karimi

M.A., RCC
Life can be very challenging. Challenges can come across in our lives in various forms such as grief, stress, work place issues, family issues, personal issues, and past trauma. Are you facing any of these challenges?... Read more

Annu Dha

M.A., RCC
    • Online booking
  About Me I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor born and raised in Vancouver. I have a Masters Degree in Counselling (MA) and over a decade of related experience. I've worked in diverse... Read more

Karla Vargas

MCP, RCC
**Currently accepting new clients** Hi! I’m Karla and it is a pleasure to meet you! I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) holding a Master of Counselling Psychology degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts... Read more

Laura Bowie

M.Couns., RCC
Counseling is a place for tending to the self. It can help to expand your vision of who you are and how you work in the world. If you are curious about yourself, it can be a journey inward that opens up many... Read more

Katie Burden

M.A., RCC
I believe that suffering can often carry with it important messages about who we are as people, what’s important to us, and what gives our life meaning. Therefore the goal of therapy in my opinion is never to... Read more

Ashley Lindsay

M.A., RCC
I work with clients seeking help for anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, relationship issues, and life transitions. Working with teenagers, adults, couples and families, I use an integrative approach to psychotherapy... Read more