Therapy for Depression
Depression can be obvious for some people - a crashing wave of exhaustion, hopelessness, and frustration. For others, it can be a slow creeping sense of life feeling kind of meaningless, of an irritating pointlessness in relationships or experiences that used to matter.
I’ve spent years helping people through depressive episodes and finding their way to the other side, where life feels like it contains both good and bad, but is generally engaging and worth living.
Therapeutic Approaches to Managing Depression
When treating depression, there are a few things I’m particularly interested in getting into. One, is that I want to provide a space for you to share any thought that comes to mind, including those that might feel too overwhelming for the important people in your life. I’ve heard it all and am not afraid or overwhelmed to hear everything from venting about your frustrations to serious thoughts of suicide.
Something else I tend to focus on is the why behind your depression. Did something happen? Is this a pattern that plays out for your periodically with or without a clear trigger? Is there a general sense of something being wrong in your life but you’re not sure what?
From there we get into the what to do about it. Perhaps there is a significant life change that you need help moving through. We might talk about specific techniques to help you reengage with aspects of yourself or life that provide you with a sense of meaning or satisfaction.
To get into the particulars, my approach includes:
Psychodynamic Therapy: Uncovering past experiences and unconscious patterns that contribute to depressive feelings and addressing unresolved issues that may be affecting your mental health.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helping you identify negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier, more adaptive ways of thinking.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Teaching skills to manage intense emotions, tolerate distress, and reduce depressive symptoms.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Fostering acceptance of difficult emotions and encouraging you to live a meaningful life in line with your values, even in the midst of depression.
Mindfulness Practices: Cultivating awareness and presence to break free from the cycle of rumination that often keeps depression in place.
How Therapy Can Help You Manage Depression
Depression can feel isolating, but therapy provides a space to understand your emotions and take steps toward healing. Together, we’ll work to untangle the underlying causes of your depression, develop effective coping strategies, and create a path toward a more fulfilling life.
Getting Started
The first step is reaching out to schedule a 15-minute consultation call. Simply let me know when you’re available to talk and we’ll find time to get into what’s going on for you and how I may be able to help.