COUNSELLING FOR
ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
How can counselling help?
Here is a parable that might give a picture of how counselling might be helpful :-
"A man was walking in the hills when he fell down a disused mine shaft. He fell 4 meters, then became wedged. He dared not move unless he fell further. He cried out for help.
Eventually another hill walker heard his cries. This walker was something of an expert rock climber, pot holder, and generally good at getting out of fixes.
He shouted instructions down the mine shaft. 'Put your hands on something to push you up, get your feet in position to push yourself up, wiggle upwards.
But the man wouldn't move. The walker pondered at this impasse then shouted down he was going for more help and moved off.
After some time a second walker heard the cries and came to help. This walker instantly recognised the direness of the man's predicament. He realised the man did not have the courage to move, while feeling so hopeless about his situation.
So he gave him reassurance, listened and said he could understand what it was like to be in a bottomless pit. The man did feel better, but did not move. So the second rescuer went to fetch more help.
Eventually a third walker arrived. She had rock climbing experience, and like the second walker, she realised that the man in the hole would not move while he was feeling so distressed.
Furthermore, she realised that the man in the hole was unlikely to take her word that things would get better, or that doing things in a certain way would help him get to the top of the mine shaft.
She also knew that from the top of the mine shaft it was impossible to know what the man's position was, or what were the risks of moving. She knew she could not know his fear.
So she first asked the man to make the smallest movements he could and asked him to report the effects.
As victim and rescuer gather more information, the victim's courage returned and he started to move ever so slowly upward. Slowly he took more risks. In time he was free.
J. Mark G. Williams (1992)
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO ME?
The mine shaft is depression or anxiety into which many of us fall at some point in our lives - at Charis Counselling Lyn Cannon has the training and experience and understands depression and anxiety (she understands the terrain) Lyn also knows that it is impossible to know how you are really feeling - she will journey with you, encourage and support you to gain courage and strength to move forward - all be it very slowly - assisting you to find that inner strength to continue putting depression and anxiety behind you or at least be in control of it rather than it being in control of you.
What is Depression and Anxiety?
Some of the signs of Depression are
Behaviour
- not going out anymore
- not getting things done at work/school
- withdrawing from close family and friends
- relying on alcohol and sedatives
- not doing usual enjoyable activities
- unable to concentrate
- overwhelmed
- guilty
- irritable
- frustrated
- lacking in confidence
- unhappy
- indecisive
- disappointed
- miserable
- sad
- 'I’m a failure.'
- 'It’s my fault.'
- 'Nothing good ever happens to me.'
- 'I’m worthless.'
- 'Life’s not worth living.'
- 'People would be better off without me.'
- tired all the time - fatigue
- sick and run down
- headaches and muscle pains
- churning gut
- sleep problems - over sleeping or not being able to sleep
- loss or change of appetite - over eating (comfort eating) or not eating
- significant weight loss or gain
Where to from here?
If you are struggling with Depression and/or Anxiety or are experiencing any of the signs listed above then make an appointment with Lyn Cannon today.
Start your journey to finding peace of mind again.
Lyn offers a quiet reflected space in which you can explore a way forward with her support and the benefit of her many years of experience working with anxiety and depression.
Contact Lyn via email or via the contact page on this website or call her on 0429 876 525.
If you are struggling with Depression and/or Anxiety or are experiencing any of the signs listed above then make an appointment with Lyn Cannon today.
Start your journey to finding peace of mind again.
Lyn offers a quiet reflected space in which you can explore a way forward with her support and the benefit of her many years of experience working with anxiety and depression.
Contact Lyn via email or via the contact page on this website or call her on 0429 876 525.