Depression

Depression involves having negative opinions about oneself, others, and the world. In simple terms, it is marked by a constant feeling of hopelessness. This creates a difficult situation because the depressed individual does not participate in activities that could make them happy due to the lack of hope for joy. It is the therapist’s responsibility to slowly help the client regain that sense of hope without dismissing their pain.

I have had 3+ years of experience meeting with individuals who may be suffering from depression, depressive-like symptoms, and co-occurring mental concerns. I have experience being trained in evidence-based practices to address depressive symptoms including CBT, ACT, and trauma-informed modalities.

We all face depression during our lives. The pandemic has added so much complexity to our way of living and working. This is a time when so many turn to mental health professionals to pull our way out of the slump. I offer an approach that uses mindfulness to provide some immediate relief. From there, we have the time and space that we need to dive deep into the underlying issues. This approach is effective and I look forward to working with you.

I utilize CBT, mindfulness, positive psychology, and behavioral activation to use a multi-pronged approach in helping those with depression.

I provide a compassionate, supportive space to help individuals navigate depression and reclaim a sense of hope and purpose. Using evidence-based approaches like CBT, DBT, and mindfulness, I guide clients in challenging negative thought patterns, building coping skills, and fostering self-compassion. My holistic, person-centered approach empowers individuals to reconnect with themselves, regain motivation, and create meaningful, lasting change in their lives.

The darkness of depression can feel all encompassing. Depression can have many causes from suppression of emotions to unresolved trauma to biological makeup. I will walk with you through this journey to begin to return to your prior level of functioning and perhaps even further than that, to bring joy and pleasure back into your range of experiences.

We all get the blues sometimes. However, depression, in the clinical sense, is different. When someone's "blues" becomes depression it can be incapacitating and, in some cases, life-threatening. I am trained to accurately assess for depressive symptoms and determine the severity of those symptoms and when there may be a need for medications. In therapy I can provide support and teach you strategies to manage and recover from the tight grip that depression has had over your life.

Depression is among the most treatable of mental disorders. Between 80 percent and 90 percent of people with depression eventually respond well to treatment. Almost all patients gain some relief from their symptoms. As counselors who provide Atlanta counseling for depression, we know it can be a confusing issue. Many people don’t understand that you can’t just ‘snap out of it’. There’s no magic solution. But, you should know that you are not alone.

As a mental health professional I have developed a deep understanding of the complexities of depressive disorders, which in turn has allowed me to offer a supportive and nonjudgmental environment where clients can explore their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. I am dedicated to empowering my clients on their journey to healing by helping them find hope, rediscover their strengths, and guiding them toward a fulfilling and balanced life.

Over 20 years of experience with depression management utilizing CBT and integrative approach.

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Cognitive Restructuring for Adults.

Extensive experience in treating depression at various levels of severity and in a wide variety of contexts.

I combine psychoanalysis and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat depression. By exploring unconscious thoughts through psychoanalytic techniques, I help clients uncover the root causes of their distress. At the same time, I use CBT strategies to challenge negative thought patterns and develop coping mechanisms, fostering self-awareness and improving mental health.

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated, and not your usual self? If you have had any variation of these thoughts and don’t feel like its going to change, chances are you may be suffering from depression. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that there are many options available to renew hope in their lives.

From 2007 to 2009 (in Santa Clara County) and 2018 to 2024 (in Yolo County), I worked with Medi-Cal clients experiencing severe depression (major depressive episodes, bipolar).

There are many different levels of depression. Some make it seemingly impossible to get out of bed, while others go to work and participate in daily life without as much joy as they once had. Finding a way forward to happiness or back to a happier place is hard work. Having a professionally trained person on your side at times can be the key to moving towards being happier.

I've helped many people dealing with depression by using an evidence-based approach which includes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), among others. Sessions include learning and implementing coping skills, boundary-setting skills, and building a self-care practice. Some clients find worksheets and workbooks to be extremely helpful, which is an option for all clients.

I love to go back into your childhood to try and discover where pain exists- then we work to heal it together!

You dread waking up each morning. You feel sad and empty inside. You’re surrounded by people, yet you still feel alone. You’ve stopped doing the things you used to enjoy. You’re worried you will always feel this way.