Depression Counseling

Depression is part of our body’s natural healing process. When animals are physically wounded, they have a natural instinct to hide, lie still, and conserve all their energy for the healing process. Similarly, when you are wounded psychologically, your body forces you to shut down in order to heal. When you are experiencing various symptoms of depression, it is time to listen to your body’s signals and get some help and support.

Depending on your cultural background, upbringing, and identity, you may experience symptoms of depression that are unique to you. Some people experience depression mostly as physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, chronic pain, fatigue, or changes in appetite. Others may experience depression as a sense of restlessness, agitation, or irritability. Depression can also occur together with other mental health concerns such as anxiety, trauma, or disordered eating. Some common signs of depression include:

• A chronic and pervasive feeling of emptiness, sadness, numbness, hopelessness, or helplessness
• Difficulty getting out of bed
• The things that you used to enjoy no longer feel enjoyable
• Decreased motivation
• Feelings of shame or guilt
• Constant exhaustion and fatigue
• Feeling irritable and easily angered
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Thoughts that you are better off dead; thoughts of harming yourself
• Feeling restless
• Difficulty concentrating, being productive, or completing tasks

Are the symptoms of depression significantly impacting your daily functions? Have you tried to talk with friends, use healthy coping strategies, and read self-help books without success? If you are having a hard time making progress or maintaining gains in your healing journey, it may be time for some expert help and support.

Depression can be difficult to address alone. There may be many different factors that contribute to your depression including stress, family dynamics, past trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, identity concerns, the sociopolitical climate, and how you treat yourself. A skilled therapist can help you uncover the layers of issues that are at the root of your depression so that you can experience long-lasting change.

Starting depression treatment may feel overwhelming and scary. With the right therapist to guide you, you will come out on the other side with a renewed sense of yourself and a regained purpose in life.

When you begin therapy with one of our compassionate counselors, your therapist will first take the time to get to know you as a whole person. The initial assessment will include understanding your current stressors and symptoms, your relationship dynamics, your past experiences, your family history, your sociopolitical context, your cultural background and identities, your coping strategies, the patterns that you have noticed in your life, your strengths and resilience, and more.

Your therapist will first focus on the issues that are the source of your most painful and debilitating symptoms. You will work together to confront your challenges and improve the quality of your life.  Your therapist will encourage and guide you to face the uncomfortable truths, sort through your barriers to change, and arrive at a place where you are ready to take action. Your therapist will honor you as the expert of your life. Therapy is a space for you to process your thoughts and emotions and find the inner wisdom and answers that are already within you. 

The length of time in therapy depends on each person’s unique situation and needs. Studies have shown that by the 10th session, most people report feeling better. You and your therapist will set goals and monitor your progress toward those goals. You will ultimately decide how long you want to work together with your therapist. 

Each person’s specific goals and measures of success in therapy are unique. In general, you will know that depression treatment is working when:

• You have gained different perspectives and insights into your life
• You treat yourself with care and compassion 
• You are confident that you have the tools to meet your challenges
• When you wake up, you look forward to your day
• You feel present and alive with your friends and family 
• You are making meaningful connections and deepening your relationships 
• You feel energized and motivated to achieve your goals 
• You have a positive outlook on your life and your future 
• You feel like your whole self again 

You can get the most value out of your depression treatment by: 

• Show up on time
• Communicate cancellations timely
• Think about your session beforehand
• Complete assignments
• Be ready and motivated to make changes in your life
• Value honest and direct feedback
• Take risks
• Try new things
• Apply your new knowledge and skills to your life