Depression Therapy
Is Depression Overwhelming You?
Are you experiencing a challenging season of life that has led to a depressive episode, or that feels like one? Or do your thoughts and feelings perpetuate a persistent sense of worthlessness, both within yourself and the world that surrounds you? Are you ready to embark on a path of healing that offers relief, hope, and a better ending to your story?
Depression can affect nearly every aspect of your life, impacting your thoughts, physical and emotional health, and ability to function day to day. When the heavy weight of depression takes hold, it can feel like nothing in your life matters. Unable to summon the motivation to lift yourself out of your low mood, perhaps you push through the best you can. But with your inner spark dimmed, it’s clear you’re only going through the motions.
You Might Be In Physical And Emotional Pain
If you feel hopeless and apathetic, you may struggle to meet your personal, relational, academic, or professional commitments. A negative sense of self can make it challenging to express yourself and maintain close relationships, causing you to withdraw from your loved ones and, ultimately, withdraw from yourself. In addition to pervasive sadness, you might experience unexpected mood shifts that erupt into sudden bursts of anger. Finding the joy in the things you once loved may elude you.
Your body may also be physically impacted by depression in the form of sleep disruptions, weight fluctuations, chronic pain, lethargy, self-harm, and, perhaps, suicidal thoughts. To escape your emotional and physical pain, you might throw yourself in the busyness of life, or turn to food, substances, or other distractions for comfort.
Right now, it might be hard to believe that life can improve, even though you wish it would. If only you could remember what happiness or ‘normalcy’ felt like and could quiet the negative voice that has taken your hope. But by lifting the weight of sadness you have been carrying, therapy can help you get through a tough chapter of your life—such as a challenging postpartum period, romantic or family issues, or another personal crossroad—as well as address chronic depression or a major depressive disorder.
Depression Can Stem From Both Biological And Environmental Factors
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), in 2021, “an estimated 21.0 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 8.3 percent of all U.S. adults.” [1] What’s more, “Depression is about 50 percent more common among women than among men. Worldwide, more than 10 percent of pregnant women and women who have just given birth experience depression.” [2]
It is thought that depression is caused by a culmination of biological and environmental factors. While some of us are born with a genetic predisposition to depression, others are exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or transgenerational trauma that may contribute to chronic anxiety and depression in adulthood. Depression can be exacerbated by cultural factors, such as religious and spiritual beliefs that run counter to our sense of self, stress related to cultural assimilation, self-comparison fueled by social media, or a lack of adequate social support.
The Very Nature Of Depression Can Make It Difficult To Seek Help
Because a lack of hope pervades depression, the negative mindset that takes hold often prevents us from seeking the help we desperately need. If our thoughts reinforce hopelessness and worthlessness, we often get stuck in depression with no discernable way out. There are days we surrender to it because we are done trying and wellness requires too much of us. What’s more, the stigma of shame we may feel admitting we need professional help can further prolong our pain and isolation.
But seeking depression treatment is nothing to be ashamed of. Not only can therapy teach you effective coping strategies for dealing with depression, but working with a counselor can also provide you with the necessary motivation to remain accountable and keep moving in a positive direction.
Therapy Can Alleviate Depression So You Can Return To Yourself
Thoughts are insidious—whether ‘good’ or ‘bad’, eventually you start believing whatever you tell yourself. Negative core and limiting beliefs could be playing out in your life in a way that holds you right where you are and don’t want to be. Depression therapy can help you gain much-needed perspective, dispelling these negative beliefs so that you can rediscover your true self. Being known to yourself in this way can help you reignite your spark and discover newfound meaning and purpose.
What To Expect In Sessions
Taking a two-pronged and holistic approach to depression therapy, we will first address the symptoms that are keeping you stuck to get you through your day. Simultaneously we will delve into deeper soul work, addressing and healing your your heart wound to bring out your highest authentic self.
Some of the skills, tools, and concepts depression counseling may include are:
Learning coping skills that focus on reducing your most challenging symptoms to improve daily functioning;
Understanding neurobiology—the science behind how the brain and body are interconnected—and leveraging their integration to your benefit;
Looking at your health through a holistic lens, implementing changes impacting your mind, body, soul like diet, exercise, work/life balance, and sleep;
Exploring emotions, self-expression, and thought patterns to improve self-esteem and strengthen relationships with others;
Setting and achieving short-term incremental goals that establish a healthy routine, building new habits, lifestyle choices and confidence;
Increasing self-awareness by identifying, setting, and achieving meaningful long-term value-based goals;
Developing resilience to prevent future relapses or setbacks.
Once you have mastered the tools to regulate your emotions and overcome setbacks, your ability to follow through and hold yourself accountable will grow.
The Modalities For Treating Depression
With several approaches to choose from, we will land on the one that most resonates with you. As a therapist who specializes in depression, I find that in addition to psychodynamic therapy, utilizing some combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), narrative therapy, and mindfulness for depression is most helpful. By teaching neuropsychology and neurobiology, you will understand how your story gets stored in your body and together we will examine what you tell yourself. This story-based and holistic approach to therapy to determine the origin of depression can help trace your symptoms back to their root up until where you are now. Ultimately, you control the narrative and can rebuild a redemptive and healthy story for yourself moving forward.
Depression counseling can improve your quality of life by instilling a newfound hope in your ability to heal, setting a pathway toward a more joyful life. Getting in touch with who you are meant to be can shift your perspective, leading to more positive experiences, which, in turn, can elevate your mood and strengthen your vitality.
But Maybe You’re Not Sure If Depression Therapy Is Right For You…
Can’t I just take medication for depression rather than attend therapy?
The introspection and self-discovery depression counseling offers that can lead to long-term transformation cannot be reached with medicine alone. While antidepressants can be a helpful supplement in treating clinical and severe depression, psychodynamic therapy is how you can heal your heart wound by being known to yourself.
I don’t see how talking with a therapist will help me since I’ve always suffered from depression.
If you’re a long-term sufferer of depression, you may feel hopeless that things can ever change. But what you should know is that when it comes to depression treatment, every tool works, not just for everybody. Successfully overcoming depression takes a combination of finding the right counselor with the right tools at the right time in your life. When you are truly open and ready to healing, the results can be life-changing. The fact that you’re reading this page could indicate that this time is now.
How will progress in depression counseling be tracked and when can I expect to see improvement?
Throughout therapy for depression, we will regularly assess your progress together, fine-tuning treatment to support your recovery. Although improvement timelines vary, many clients who start treatment with moderate to severe depression notice positive changes within a few weeks or months of consistent therapy. To address any setbacks or relapses you may encounter, we will work together to develop coping strategies and formulate a plan to navigate challenges, helping you maintain steady progress and build resilience.
Heal Your Heart Wound And Experience Life’s Fullness
Getting in touch with your true self can help instill hope for the future. To find out more about individual or group therapy for depression with Be Known Wellness Group, email, call 857-505-1856, or visit our contact Page to schedule a free 15-minute call.
[1] https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
[2] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression
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