Depression Treatment
Is Depression Causing You To Feel Disconnected From Yourself and Those Around You?
Are you struggling with feelings of loneliness, isolation, and low self-esteem? Is it difficult for you to maintain your professional, platonic, romantic, and familial relationships? Do you suffer from a lack of energy or motivation to engage in basic tasks? Perhaps things you once enjoyed now feel like chores. Or maybe a sense of powerlessness has left you feeling too emotionally and physically exhausted to solve problems in your life.
It may be that an unexpected change or loss in your life has contributed to anxiety and distress, whether that loss has taken the form of a professional setback or grieving a loved one. Or maybe you have lost faith and trust in an important relationship, leaving you feeling isolated and disconnected from those around you. As a result, you may experience physical symptoms like chronic pain, lethargy, or panic attacks.
Over time, these physical and emotional symptoms may devolve into feelings of loneliness, fear, and self-doubt, creating distance in the relationships that once provided a sense of closeness and comfort. As feelings of hopelessness and uncertainty build, you may find yourself questioning whether you are worthy of happiness and joy.
In an effort to find relief from the pain and worry of depression, you may have turned to unhealthy choices like using alcohol and other drugs or eating poorly. Yet, the pain always returns in some form or another. And as this vicious cycle repeats itself, it is easy to grow frustrated and become increasingly critical of yourself. Depression treatment, however, can be the first step in interrupting the cycle and turning feelings of helplessness into feelings of empowerment, confidence, and self-acceptance.
Depression Is A Common Result Of Emotional Stress
Depression is widely common, and the vast majority of the population struggles with some form of depression during adolescence or adulthood. We live in a society that does not have sufficient vocabulary around emotional intelligence and where mental health is not often regarded as a priority when thinking about basic human needs. When we experience symptoms of depression, we often feel like we have done something wrong or have been unsuccessful in some way. As a result, we begin to feel unfulfilled and lacking in certain areas of our life, which can reinforce the cycle of depression and leave us feeling guilty for needing help.
Naturally, we veer away from these painful memories and experiences. We categorize feelings such as anger, sadness, and fear as “negative.” Instead of facing these emotions, we often close ourselves off from experiencing them at all, misleading ourselves into believing that “negative” feelings can’t affect us if we numb ourselves to them. But in doing so, we run the risk of overlooking essential information those emotions tell us about ourselves and our needs.
In stifling these feelings, we miss the opportunity to understand where they stem from, how to communicate their impact on us, and how we might cope with difficult or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings in the future. As a result, our bodies and minds suffer from various symptoms of depression and our relationships become strained by an inability to express what we are feeling.
Fortunately, therapy can help you build the emotional vocabulary and learn the skills you need to cope with depression and the uncomfortable feelings that come with it. I am here to help you take the first steps in that process.
Depression Treatment Can Help You Locate Your Emotional Compass
We all have people we rely on in times of need. It may be a family member, a friend, or a partner. Yet, these sources of support are oftentimes the same relationships where we experience cycles of conflict and misunderstanding. The kind of expertise needed to understand and fix these cycles usually needs to come from an outside perspective. I aim to create a safe and open space where you can feel comfortable sharing your needs and concerns, knowing that all of your feelings—even those you might deem as “negative”—are valid. Together, we can unlock the emotions and feelings that are causing mental distress and symptoms of depression. And in a compassionate, supportive setting, you can learn to embrace your pain and begin the process of dismantling it.
Whether your treatment requires an understanding of past traumas, present anxieties, or future goals, I take an emotionally-centered approach to ensure every session is tailored to your unique needs. Together, we’ll explore the many dimensions, or parts, that define who you are and how you respond to distressing thoughts and emotions. Each part contains essential information, and each part has a function in your life. In developing a further understanding of your many parts, you will be able to better understand the relationship dynamics and pain points that trigger cycles of depression, conflict, and alienation. And by developing new skills during therapeutic sessions, you will naturally learn how to express yourself more effectively and find growth in areas that once felt stunted.
For 27 years, I have worked with people from all walks of life in order to identify and celebrate what makes them unique. Everyone struggles with feelings of sadness, grief, and pain, and I don’t believe that anyone gets through life unscathed. However, when we can find the means to communicate our emotions effectively, we feel validated and empowered to seek out solutions that truly work for us. And when we are motivated and willing to recognize and work through our pain, it is possible to find meaningful and lasting healing.
Are there additional concerns keeping you from seeking treatment for your depression?
I worry that seeing a therapist signals weakness or indicates that something is fundamentally wrong with me.
Depression is incredibly common and often the result of a society that doesn’t value communication around our emotional needs. It is precisely in this environment that breeds a sense of shame around asking for help. There is nothing wrong with you if you are experiencing depression, yet if it goes untreated, you are more likely to experience detrimental emotional and physical symptoms. By working with a depression therapist, however, you can receive the unbiased guidance and encouragement you need to pinpoint problems and make lasting changes in your life.
How do I know if you will be helpful to me?
Seeking treatment for depression is the most essential step in the process. The right therapist or counselor will provide a sense of connection and safety where you can feel truly understood and heard during the treatment process. I have spent my career helping individuals identify their struggles and strengths in order to help them develop the skills they need to overcome depression. Together, in a collaborative, secure, and confidential environment, we can explore your emotions and begin working toward solutions that are tailored to your specific needs and goals.
How long will it take until I feel better?
I get this question a lot and I assure you I am invested in your healing. I believe that if you can better understand your emotions, you will find it easier to develop the tools that you need in order to comprehend and communicate your needs. This is a process that can take weeks for some and months or years for others. Therefore, my approach will be tailor-made to fit your specific needs and to adapt to your progress each week. I am confident that the toolbox we build together will provide the resources for you to be successful in your future, whether or not you choose to continue seeing a counselor or a therapist on a regular basis.
Resilience Is Possible With Depression Counseling
If depression is causing feelings of sadness and disconnect in your life, it might be time to seek treatment with a counselor or therapist. I invite you to contact me via my website or to call (860) 906-7062 to schedule a session.
Have Any Questions? Send A Message Today!
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