Depression is common, and it presents in unique ways for everything. What depression looks like on someone else may not resemble how it looks for you—but just because you don’t check every box on a symptom list doesn’t make your depression any less real or serious. Symptoms of depression include, but are not limited to:

• Depressed mood—feeling down, sad, helpless, or numb

• Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy

• Decreased energy, fatigue, or loss of motivation

• Feeling as though you’re going through life in a dark fog

• Poor sleep—difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much

• Overeating or loss of appetite

• Physical symptoms, like aches and pains, that are not explained by medical issues

• Feelings of worthlessness, shame, guilt, or negative self-talk 

• Difficulty thinking or concentrating 

• Thoughts of wanting to hurt yourself or end your life

Depression can be caused by many factors; understanding what’s causing your depression is crucial in the healing process. We view depression through a holistic lens, considering biological, environmental, social, and medical factors, as well as the possibility of past trauma. 

• Biological factors refer to brain chemistry or genetics that may make you more susceptible to depression.

• Environmental stressors like loss, a life transition or a major change, financial difficulties, illness, caregiving burden, and more, can also trigger feelings of depression.

• Social factors such as isolation, difficult relationships, or lack of emotional support can cause or worsen depression.

• Medical factors like physical illnesses or medication side effects can contribute to depression.

• Lastly, unresolved past trauma can lead to depression.

In therapy, we’ll explore all of these factors as we uncover what is causing your depression. With this information, we’ll be able to create a treatment plan that will help you start feeling better as soon as possible.

There are many effective ways to treat depression in therapy. This includes CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy), mindfulness-based CBT, and schema therapy. After your initial session, we will have a clearer understanding of your needs and can craft a treatment plan that will target your specific experience of depression.

If your depression is the result of years of traumatic experiences, or you are exhausted from trying previous therapies, we may recommend EMDR for quicker relief. EMDR is the gold standard treatment for changing negative beliefs into self-affirming beliefs that will resonate deep in your body. Due to rapid brain processing, you will make new neural connections conducive to healing and long-lasting growth. For accelerated healing and deep personal transformation, consider an EMDR intensive.

We want you feeling better as soon as possible! That’s why we offer same-day phone consults and same-week scheduling. While it can take a little time for symptoms to improve significantly, many people find immediate relief just in knowing they are being seen, heard, and cared for, and that there is a solid plan for recovery. Scheduling a therapy intensive can have you feeling better after just one session.

Therapy for depression can do so much more than just decrease the symptoms that are holding you back. Through therapy, you may also:

• Feel better about yourself and the world around you

• Connect with others in meaningful ways and feel good about your role in your loved ones’ lives

• Find more balance in your life

• Improve your performance at school or work

• Discover inner resources and strengths as you learn to cope with life in more successful ways

• Increase self-esteem and establish a sense of worth

• Process traumatic events or childhood experiences

• Gain insight into the causes of your depression

• Gain confidence that you can care for yourself and manage difficulties

Call us, or use the contact form today, to get a free consult scheduled. Once we get an idea of your needs, we will schedule your first session ASAP. You don’t have to wait a week to get a consult call with this group. We offer same-week appointments, and our focus is always on getting you the help you need as fast and effectively as possible.