Therapy for Depression
Sometimes the hardest step is the first one. If you feel you need it, please reach out for help. I would be honored to help on your journey.
What is therapy for Depression?
Depression is a fairly common word in our vocabulary. However, the fact that one in 10 adults in the U.S. experiences depression at some point in their lives does not make it a less serious medical condition. It may be a common mood disorder, but this doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Therapy for depression plays a vital role in improving the quality of life of people suffering from depressive symptoms and can even save lives.
Symptoms of depression
Depression is sneaky and subtle, and it can find its way into your mind without you noticing. It is usually defined as a feeling of sadness, loss, or emptiness that, at times, seems like it has no link to your real-world experiences. However, as soon as you start talking about it with a therapist, you’ll find a reason and a path to healing. Depression disorder is often associated with one or more of these symptoms:
- Inexplicable urge to cry
- Bouts of sadness
- Difficulty concentrating
- Anxiety
- Anger, irascibility
- Inexplicable physical symptoms, like muscle pain and headaches
- Insomnia
- Oversleeping
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
There are also several types of depression, among them:
- Major depression
- Manic depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Perinatal and postpartum depression
- Situational depression
- Chronic depression
Regardless of the type, without appropriate care, depression can impact a person’s life and everyday activities, and prevent them from finding peace and happiness. It can affect their mental and physical health, and people with moderate depression or severe symptoms may even consider suicide.
Depression can be treated
The good news is that there are treatments for depression, and patients with depression can find their way back to a healthy and happy life. The treatment of depression may require in some cases a combination of therapy and antidepressant medications. However, most people with depression benefit greatly from therapy alone and do not get to the point where they need to integrate medication into their treatment for depression.
Simply talking to a therapist can bring clarity and help you learn how to cope with the waves of negative emotions that drag you under. Patients with moderate depression or facing fleeting depressive episodes can balance their emotions by identifying the factors that trigger their depression and learning coping mechanisms to manage it.
Therapy for depression
I have been providing care for patients struggling with depression disorder for many years now and have found that cognitive-behavioral therapy is an effective treatment. This form of therapy requires work, and I work together with my patients to uncover unhealthy behavior patterns and their consequences.
While no one can extirpate negative thoughts from our minds, we can surely learn how to manage them and identify how they impact our reactions and beliefs about ourselves. If you have a good grip on your negative thoughts and emotions, you can discover how they lead to harmful behaviors that may affect your life. I will help you learn how to replace your negative thoughts with positive ones and control your flow of thoughts. Moreover, I will encourage you to focus on your strengths and provide helpful tools to change and grow.
Sometimes, depression is rooted in our unresolved conflicts or unhealed wounds, and talking about this with a therapist opens the door to healing. This is the foundation of psychodynamic therapy, a different form of depression therapy that focuses on how your reality is shaped by your past, unconscious mind, and childhood experiences. Together we’ll go down that hidden path in your mind and begin the healing process. Once you address the memories and events your mind chose to forget or avoid, you will feel relief, hope, and regain your appetite for life.
My Process
Initial Consultation Call
During this brief call, we'll get to know each other a little better to see if we're a good fit. I'll also ask about your motivations for contacting me and your goals.
Book Your Session
Next, it's time to book your first session so we can get started. I offer in-person appointments at either of my offices or we can schedule telehealth appointments.
Experience Your Growth
Once we get started, your trust in the process and commitment to the work will open a lot of doors. While the journey is not always easy, the best way to see results is to stick with it.
"Our wounds are often the openings into the best and most beautiful parts of us." -David Richo
Remember that you’re not damaged and you’re not broken. From time to time, whether we seek it or not, all of us need a little help. Sometimes it can be a little difficult, maybe a little scary to admit, but getting help is the fastest path to feeling better. Don’t hesitate to reach out today.
01.
Initial Consultation
We’ll have a brief call to get to know each other. We’ll discuss your needs and how I can help.
02.
In-Person or Telehealth
Our sessions will be held virtually for your convenience. No long commutes to come see me.
03.
Time to Do the Work
Recovery can be a long and difficult road, but it’s worth it. We’ll work through it together
F.A.Q.
Most of my career has been focused on helping people of the LGBTQIA+ community. I’ve also done a lot of work supporting HIV-positive and trans clients. I am trained and certified in a variety of modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Action and Commitment Therapy, etc. See my about page for a full list.
For over a decade I have been working with the LGBTQIA+ community. Much of my work has been focused on supporting HIV-positive and trans* clients. For almost 10 years I worked with the Los Angeles LGBT Center doing crisis counseling, case management, including therapy to support HIV-positive medical outcomes.
It can be appropriate and even highly beneficial to include family members or partner(s) during a session. All of this depends on what we are working on and where we are in that work. If it’s the right time, it’s an option, and something you are interested in, it can be very helpful and I’m happy to support it.
I provide different scheduling options for patients based on their needs. I try to be as flexible as I can and schedule appointments on weekdays, weekends and evenings. Please consult with me for availability.