Therapists in N1K
Delaney DeFrancisco
Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying), MA, BA
Verified Verified
6 Endorsed
Guelph, ON N1K
Are you feeling disconnected from yourself, unable to access a version of you that feels trapped within? You are not alone. Specializing in facilitating growth in adolescents and adults, I work with clients who may be struggling with anxiety or depression stemming from self-worth concerns, past hurtful experiences, or obsessive thoughts and behaviours. Wounds from hurtful experiences can significantly impact how we perceive ourselves, the world, and others. These wounds may prevent you from living a life aligned with your true wants and values.
Are you feeling disconnected from yourself, unable to access a version of you that feels trapped within? You are not alone. Specializing in facilitating growth in adolescents and adults, I work with clients who may be struggling with anxiety or depression stemming from self-worth concerns, past hurtful experiences, or obsessive thoughts and behaviours. Wounds from hurtful experiences can significantly impact how we perceive ourselves, the world, and others. These wounds may prevent you from living a life aligned with your true wants and values.
Suicidal Ideation Counsellors
How does therapy for suicidal ideation work?
Stress, depression, anxiety, or upsetting circumstances can give rise to suicidal thinking. Therapy can address the events at the core of an individual’s suffering. Understanding why a person may be suicidal can help the therapist and the patient discover alternative methods of coping. A person with suicidal ideation may be mired in catastrophic thinking, and treatment like cognitive behavioural therapy is a good choice for breaking such patterns. In addition, treatment such as acceptance and commitment therapy can help a person manage their distress through better emotion regulation.
Which therapies are best for suicidal ideation?
Specific approaches used by professionals include cognitive behavioural, dialectical behaviour, psychodynamic, acceptance and commitment therapies, among others. Cognitive behavioural and dialectical behaviour therapies are two widely used therapies that can help individuals with painful thoughts and past traumas. These therapies help an individual tolerate distress, regulate emotions, and not act on dangerous urges.
Are there specific medications to be combined with therapy?
The use of medication for suicidal thoughts must be aligned with the underlying cause; conditions such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis may be at the root of suicidal ideation. A psychiatrist may prescribe medications for symptoms, which may include antipsychotics such as aripiprazole or antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors.
How often and how long are therapy sessions for suicidal ideation?
As with any type of therapy, sessions depend on the individual. Patients may see improvement within 15 to 20 sessions, at an average of 50 minutes per session, while others may opt for 20 to 30 sessions over, perhaps, a six-month period. Still other patients, especially those with co-occurring conditions like major depression and anxiety, may need to continue sessions for up to 12 to 18 months. In some cases, residential treatment may be recommended for an individual who is judged to be at high risk of self-harm.