Depression Therapy
Do you feel sad all the time and don’t know how to get out of it?
Have you stopped doing things you used to enjoy, and withdrawn from friends and family?
Do you feel hopeless or worthless most days?
Are you consistently irritable or fatigued most days?
Do you struggle to understand why you are feeling so low and how to feel happy again?
Depression can be all-consuming
When someone is depressed, it can feel like the world is caving in on them. The sadness can feel like it is consuming them, and there is no way out. They may have lost motivation to do their job well, socialize with friends and family, and even get out of the house to go to the store.
There is a difference between feeling sad and feeling depressed. Sadness is what we feel when there is a loss or something bad happens to us in life, but it will eventually fade and we go back to living our lives. Depression can last for many months or years if individuals do not get help to get out of the feeling. Depression can be triggered by life events that were too big to handle on their own, the loss of a family member or friend, or the ending of a relationship. Depression can feel very lonely, as many people struggle to feel understood in their pain by those around them, so they end up isolating themselves from others.
Most individuals feel depression at certain times in their life
Depression is a common experience for many individuals. There are many reasons that someone could experience depression, and it can feel tough to get through on your own without help.
Depression typically does not happen because of one bad event. There may be multiple negative events happening in a short period, or over a long period that lead to a feeling of hopelessness and devastation. There could be a combination of stressful life events, grief, divorce, illness, and job or money worries are just a few combinations that could lead to depression.
Individual therapy can help relieve symptoms of depression and get you back on track
Fortunately, depression is highly treatable if you start therapy. Therapy for depression is effective in that it focuses on identifying the triggers that have led you to the depression that you are in, and how these moments have affected you.
Therapy can increase insight into how you think, feel, and behave in stressful times. Once you are aware of the triggers and have insight into your emotions, therapy can help you identify coping skills and new tools to navigate stressful moments to have better success in the future when stress happens again to avoid depressive episodes. Therapy can help you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel, feel hopeful again about your future, and identify small goals to feel successful in depression management.
What to expect in a session
Your therapist will likely start by introducing themselves and creating a safe and non-judgmental environment for you to feel comfortable and open in the session. They will explain confidentiality, which ensures that what you share will stay private information between you and your therapist.
The initial session often involves the therapist gathering your history of depression, when it started, what your symptoms are, and how this has negatively affected your life. They may also want to know what events have led to depression in your life to better understand your pain.
The therapist will then go over goal setting and identify what YOU as the client want to focus on within your treatment. Your therapist must know what is important to you, as this is your session. They will also ask if you have any questions or concerns about therapy to help you feel comfortable moving forward.
Customizing therapy approaches for your needs
At Aspen Grove Counseling we meet the individual needs of each client. Depending on what your goals are, the symptoms you are experiencing, and the needs you express, your therapist will discuss what they think will help you reach your goals. Every person will need something different, and we do our best to make sure you feel heard, validated, and safe in your therapy session to express yourself and the struggles you are having.
We strive to make sure and create a safe, non-judgmental, and open environment for you to say whatever is on your mind. Therapy can be nerve-racking if it is your first time, and it is our goal to make sure you know you are feeling safe, to be honest and open.
We utilize Emotion Focused Therapy to assist individuals in identifying the root cause of their depression, assist with coping skills to manage depression symptoms and work on increasing support around them to live the life they want.
But you may still have questions about therapy for depression…
I think I need therapy, but I am worried that therapy can be expensive.
Therapy is an investment in yourself and a great investment at that. Therapy can assist with having a higher quality of life as it can help with emotion regulation, identifying the root cause of your depression, and setting you up to live the life you want. Without therapy, many people struggle for years not knowing how to break through the struggle of depression. Here at Aspen Grove Counseling, we do accept insurance which is helpful for many clients wanting to start therapy. If we do not accept your insurance, you can be provided a superbill that you can use to give to your insurance company as an out-of-network provider to try and get reimbursement for private pay clients. This can help clients financially when starting therapy knowing that they will hopefully be able to get some money back in the process.
How do I know if I should see a therapist for Depression?
Periods of stress, sadness, grief, and conflict are common in everyone’s life. However, when these feelings are persistent, intense, or hinder daily activities, it might be time to consider therapy.
Some signs that you might be experiencing intense depression include:
persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or emptiness
noticeable changes in sleep or eating patterns,
decline in performance at work or school,
withdrawal from activities or hobbies,
difficulty concentrating or making decisions,
a feeling of hopelessness or lack of purpose,
thoughts of self-harm or harming others.
It is easier to manage these symptoms before they escalate. By seeking help early on, you are practicing proactive self-care and giving yourself the best chance to manage your depression and avoid being in a low place.
Does therapy really work?
If you are new to therapy, you might be wondering how effective therapy can be for your depression symptoms. Science tells us that, yes, therapy does work. Therapy can be incredibly effective in treating a range of mental health issues from anxiety and depression to trauma and relationship problems. In many cases, the benefits of therapy are found to be long-lasting, equipping individuals with the tools they need to handle future challenges that in the past they did not know how to navigate.
You can feel better and manage your depression
If you would like to schedule an appointment or discuss any questions you may have about individual therapy for depression, please contact us at 480-779-7426. We try to get back to all voicemails and emails within 24 hours.
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