Depression is not one simple emotion. Rather it is a combination of emotions – often including strong feelings of anger, fear, guilt, and shame – with sadness as its key component. It affects the way we feel, think, behave, and relate.

Monkey therapy combines Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Internal Family Systems, as well as neuroprocessing and body-focused interventions, collaboratively creating interventions for your unique needs.

Monkey therapy alleviates depression by helping you:

Escape the rut. Depression affects how we see the world every day. Simply glossing over negative feelings doesn’t work because the underlying beliefs and feelings are still there. To effectively alleviate depression, this approach focuses on thinking, behaviour, experience, as well as the depressive feelings. 

Uncover underlying negative beliefs. We may be unaware of the profound effect that certain past experiences have on us in the present. Monkey therapy helps you to discover and change the perceptions and beliefs that are causing and perpetuating your depression.

Change day-to-day thinking patterns. Once you uncover them, you can challenge negative thinking patterns and beliefs. And then the process guides you in replacing them with healthy, more realistic alternatives.

Reshape your relationship with depression. Depression is a mix of emotions that often we have to hide or suppress in order to function in the world. Monkey therapy connects you directly with emotional reactions, addressing each of them individually.

The result? Improving your relationship to your emotions, empowering you to handle depression’s ups and downs with more compassion, resilience, and control.

Hidden trauma. Sometimes depression is a symptom of unaddressed trauma. Trauma recovery is available if needed.  

Gain clarity and confidence. Become more grounded, present, and resilient in the face of difficult emotions.

Connect with others. Depression often inhibits our ability to connect with others in a meaningful way. It not only affects those experiencing depression but also those close to them. The therapeutic relationship provides a healing environment and teaches you how to establish healing connections outside of therapy too.

Take Action. At your own pace, your newfound ways of thinking, feeling, and being are put into action. Part of changing your mood is engaging in new positive experiences outside of therapy sessions and therapy supports you throughout.

Make it last. As a result of more positive outcomes, you will strengthen your positive mindset. In turn, positive experiences reinforce your positive moods and change your brain’s ability to regulate your mood over time.