Depression

Sometimes running away from your problems seems like the only solution, but that often leads to isolation, loneliness, and irrational thinking patterns. Ultimately, you get stuck and can see no way out. But it wasn't always like this and it doesn't have to continue to be this way. Get unstuck and start to let people back into your life again. And, sometimes, that starts with that one person you can trust.

Depression can be connected to unresolved trauma. Traumatic experiences, especially those from childhood, can disrupt the brain's ability to process emotions and stress, leading to persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and numbness. Trauma can also create negative beliefs about oneself and the world, reinforcing feelings of worthlessness and despair. These unresolved emotions and beliefs can manifest as chronic depression, making it crucial to address the underlying trauma.

I frequently work with clients who are experiencing major depressive episodes as well as those who have experienced a low level of depression throughout most of their lives. We may focus on increasing your sense of hope and purpose, reducing negative thought patterns or suicidal ideation, and building motivation to achieve life goals and connect with the things that can bring you joy and fulfillment.

Depression can bring a unique combination of feeling bad, and not being able to do the things that make you feel better. There's a "double-whammy" when you're down, and feel like you're "messing up" when you can't do the things that may make you feel better. Some people feel a combination of sadness and failure (at not being able to "think my way out of this.") Depression whispers in our ears "I'm never going away ... I'm with you forever ...." But depression is wrong - there are many ways to address depression, and I work with clients like you to discover the ways that work for you.

Our unconscious mind is constantly scanning our world for threats, physical or emotional, so it can decide if it is safe (think fight/flight/freeze). It is only after this happens that conscious thought begins, which leads to our feelings. Once you begin to understand how this influences your feelings and behaviors, you can start to make changes and learn techniques to reduce your depression and anxiety so you can become a happier, healthier you.

Depressive symptoms include feeling sad, anxious or hopeless. The condition can also cause difficulty with thinking, memory, eating and sleeping. A diagnosis of major depressive disorder (clinical depression) means you have felt sad, low or worthless most days for at least two weeks while also having other symptoms such as sleep problems, loss of interest in activities, or change in appetite. Without treatment, depression can get worse. With a structure combined CBT plan you can expect outcomes

A quick look at any news headline and it's easy to understand where our high rates of depression come from. Depression is a complex concern that is unique to each person who experiences it and treatment for depression should be just as unique. I employ a variety of modalities when treating depression including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation Therapy (BAT), as well as a person centered approach to best support those experiencing depression.

Depression manifests differently for all people. From fatigue and headaches, to losing interest in activities or difficulty sleeping, we can explore what depression looks like and means for you.

Depression is a cluster of symptoms that include low (sad) mood, lack of motivation, appetite changes, low energy, and lessened interest in activities, amongst others. Depression can stem from emotional wounds as the result of unhealed trauma, seasonal changes (cold, darkness in winter), or other chemical changes in the body. Everyone is susceptible to depression and it does not go away totally if left untreated. We can help with finding triggers and coping strategies.

I have years of experience working with clients who are experiencing depression, whether it is chronic or following a life changing event. We will work together to better understand your symptoms and triggers and utilize a plan that allows for you to experience your symptoms without losing yourself to them.

Depression is experienced by many individuals for a variety of reasons. There are a plethora of different triggers that onset the difficult symptoms one may face with depression. I have educated myself, over a decade practicing in the field, to best meed the needs of my patients dealing with depression. I provide a safe space, where patients can navigate their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. Using DBT and CBT skills, I provide productive coping strategies for healthily moving forward.

In therapy, we will practice mindfulness to keep our mind at the current moment instead of being in the past to reduce self blaming/self judgment. We will also practice CBT to identify and restructure irrational thoughts related to depression.

I utilize evidence-based treatments such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as a psychodynamic approach in my work with clients.

Experience working with clients with major depression and other depressive disorders. CBT, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches are incorporated to support clients in understanding their diagnosis, learning coping skills, and building resilience to improve their overall quality of life.

Depression can envelop people's lives. Sometimes in obvious ways like staying in bed and not showering, but also in ways like hating a job, or forgetting to pay a bill. There is no easy fix here. However, when we can truly examine the narrative that was internalized over the years about ourselves and our capabilities, we can take control of that script and give energy to getting creative with it.

In our sessions, we’ll work together to identify the underlying causes of your depression, exploring thoughts, feelings, and life circumstances that contribute to your experience. I incorporate evidence-based techniques, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices, to help you challenge negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. Additionally, I emphasize the importance of self-compassion and building resilience.

Therapy for depression is individualized based on your circumstances. There may be grief or past trauma that contributes to your low mood that we work through in therapy. Current stressors might have pushed you past your limits, & we will work to get you back on track. Some common areas addressed in therapy for depression are dealing with negative thoughts, learning new ways to interact with your emotions, exploring coping patterns, & trying out new ways of interacting with yourself & others.

I apply mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral therapy (MB-CBT) to assist with mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. I have received specific training in the application of CBT and DBT to depression. Depending on the cause of the depression I have also been trained to apply Brainspotting and EMDR to alleviate depression.