Depression Counselling in Vancouver
Therapy for Depression and Low Mood
When you’re living with depression, even simple tasks can feel heavy and overwhelming. Motivation fades, joy feels distant, and it can seem like you’re moving through life in slow motion. And while others might say you should “just think positively,” we know it’s not that simple.
Get matched with an ARC therapist who will help you move through depression and start feeling like yourself again.
Is depression casting a shadow over your life?
Perhaps it’s draining your energy, making daily tasks feel insurmountable, or robbing you of joy in activities you once loved. Your feelings are valid—and we understand how profoundly depression can affect every aspect of your life.
Here are some common ways depression might be impacting you:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
- Thoughts of death or suicide
How depression therapy can help
Depression can feel overwhelming—making everyday life heavy, exhausting, and unpredictable. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Depression is highly treatable with the right tools, strategies, and support.
Your ARC therapist will help you:
• Understand what’s beneath the depression—not just the symptoms, but the story
• Learn tools to navigate difficult thoughts, emotions, and energy shifts
• Develop strategies to get through hard days and reconnect with motivation
• Rebuild a sense of self-worth and inner confidence
• Strengthen relationships and reduce feelings of isolation
• Lift the veil of depression and rediscover a sense of joy, meaning, and connection
Let’s work through depression together
At ARC, our Registered Clinical Counsellors specialize in providing effective and evidence-based depression treatment, helping you break free from patterns of hopelessness, self-doubt, and emotional numbness.
Therapy isn’t just about talking—it’s about learning how to navigate difficult emotions, challenge self-critical thoughts, and reconnect with what matters to you. Reach out today and take the first step towards healing with a free 30-minute consultation.
Meet Our Vancouver Depression Therapists
Tianna Bobariu
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Amenda Kumar
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Kristen Rattray
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Kiana Maeda
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Jack Wong
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Danielle Simpson
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Elise Millett
Registered Social Worker (RSW)
Lilian Wang
Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC)
Getting The Help You Need is Easy
Reach Out
Fill out our easy contact form. All we need is your basic info, and a few words about what brings you to therapy.
Free Consultation
We’ll reach out to schedule your complimentary consultation. We’ll discuss your goals, questions, and make sure we’re the right fit.
Start Therapy
Feeling ready? We’ll book your first session and create a personalized plan to help you live the life you deserve.
What to Expect in Depression Counselling
Creating Safety
We begin by creating a space where you can settle in and feel supported. In these first sessions, the focus is on getting to know you, understanding what’s been difficult, and helping you feel comfortable before we go deeper.
Understanding Your Experience
We’ll explore how depression is affecting your thoughts, emotions, body, and sense of self. By slowing things down, we’ll start to notice the patterns—what keeps you feeling stuck, what drains your energy, and where small moments of relief already exist.
Building Daily Support Tools
You’ll learn tools to help manage the heaviness of daily life with depression. That might include gently challenging negative thoughts, creating helpful routines, or reconnecting with small things that once brought meaning. Together, we’ll experiment and find what feels supportive for you.
Reconnecting With Who You Are
As things begin to stabilize, we’ll focus on rebuilding your relationship with yourself. This might involve exploring parts of your identity that felt lost in the fog of depression—your values, needs, and hopes—while developing self-compassion and trust.
Navigating Ups and Downs
Progress isn’t always a straight line. If you hit setbacks, we’ll approach them with care—not as failures, but as part of the process. These moments can deepen your self-understanding and strengthen your resilience.
Rediscovering Possibility
In the later stages of therapy, we’ll focus on integrating your new skills into real-life situations—whether in relationships, work, or daily stress. You’ll begin to relate to anger differently and respond in ways that reflect your values, not just your emotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know depression therapy will actually help?
While no therapist can guarantee specific outcomes, our experience working with clients over the years has shown just how profoundly effective therapy can be in treating depression. With the right support, people often begin to feel less weighed down, more engaged with their lives, and more able to cope with what they’re carrying. Therapy offers practical tools, perspective, and a supportive relationship to help you feel less alone and more connected to yourself and the world around you.
What types of depression do you provide therapy for?
We support clients experiencing many forms of depression, including major depressive disorder, persistent or chronic depression (dysthymia), seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and depression related to life transitions, grief, or trauma. Whether your symptoms are mild or more severe, new or long-standing, our therapists will meet you with care and tailor treatment to your unique needs.
What if I’ve struggled with depression for years?
Even if depression has been with you for a long time, it doesn’t mean it’s permanent. Many clients come to therapy after years of coping on their own and are surprised at how quickly they begin to feel relief. We’ll meet you exactly where you are—without judgment—and help you build strategies that work for your life today. Change is always possible, no matter how long you’ve been struggling.
How many sessions will it take to feel better?
Progress varies from person to person, but many clients begin to notice shifts within several counselling sessions—such as improved mood, better sleep, or increased energy. More lasting change—like rediscovering joy in activities or improving relationships—often takes several months of consistent work. We’ll set milestones together and celebrate each step forward.
Can depression therapy work without medication?
Yes. Many people find relief through therapy alone. We use approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you develop coping skills and address the underlying causes of depression. That said, some clients find that combining therapy with medication works best. We’ll support whatever path feels right for you and can coordinate with your doctor if needed.
Can depression therapy help with physical symptoms like fatigue or sleep problems?
Absolutely. Depression often manifests with physical symptoms—such as fatigue, changes in appetite, or sleep disturbances. Therapy can teach you practical tools to address these symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Many clients report feeling more rested, having more energy, and experiencing a greater sense of vitality after engaging in therapy.
Is depression therapy covered by insurance?
Yes. Most extended health plans cover counselling with a Registered Clinical Counsellor. We’ll provide a receipt you can submit for reimbursement—many clients are reimbursed within a few business days.
How will I fit appointments into my busy schedule?
We understand that life is hectic—that’s why we offer flexible evening and weekend appointments, as well as online therapy options you can attend from home. Whether you prefer a consistent weekly time or need a bit more flexibility, we’ll work with you to find a schedule that supports your goals and respects your time.
What if I feel nervous about starting therapy?
Feeling nervous about starting therapy is completely understandable, especially if it’s your first time or you’ve had difficult experiences in the past. We offer a free 30-minute consultation so you can meet your therapist, ask questions, and see how it feels—no pressure. You’re always in control, and we’ll go at a pace that feels safe and supportive for you.
A Message of Support from Our Director
Hi, I’m Kelsey, the Clinical Director here at ARC. I want to start by saying something that doesn’t get said enough – it’s okay to need support.
If you’re reading this, you might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or simply not yourself. At ARC, we understand how deeply personal it is to reach out for help. That’s why we’re so intentional about the care we offer. Every therapist on our team is here because they lead with heart, they know their stuff, and they truly care about helping people feel better.
We also know that feeling safe in therapy means feeling seen and respected. That’s why we’re committed to creating an inclusive space – one that honours your identity, your culture, and your lived experience.
My role is to make sure your experience here is thoughtful, safe, and meaningful – from your very first point of contact to the support you receive in therapy. If you’re unsure about where to start, I encourage you to reach out for a free consultation. I’ll personally take the time to read your request and match you with one of the therapists on our team.
You’ve already taken the first step by being here. When you’re feeling ready, take the next step by reaching out – and we’ll walk the rest of the way together.
Take the next step towards feeling better today
Location
470 Granville St, #922
Vancouver, BC, V6C 1V5
Our Hours
Mon – Fri: 09:00 – 21:30
Sat – Sun: 09:00 – 20:30