Depression Therapy
Depression Is Like A Dark Cloud That Follows You Everywhere
When you’re living in the shadow of depression, sadness and hopelessness can put a damper on every part of your day. Guilt, shame, and negative thoughts about yourself infiltrate everything you do, complicating careers, relationships, and your social life.
Most days, you probably feel like you have to wear a mask and "act happy" around others when, really, you just want to stay home and escape by sleeping or watching TV
And although you realize depression therapy might be the only thing that can help you feel better, a cycle of lethargy and apathy makes it hard to motivate and do anything at all.
Everyone Experiences Depression In Different Ways
Sometimes, depression can manifest as irritability, restlessness, anger issues, and even anxiety symptoms. Other times, it can look like a loss of interest in things or feelings of inadequacy or low self-worth. You might be having trouble concentrating, making decisions, or being as productive as you want to be.
Or, maybe you’re throwing yourself into your job as a distraction only to find that when you get home powerful thoughts and emotions start hitting you all over again. And even though you want to sleep, you can’t calm your mind long enough to get any real rest.
At times, the overwhelm can make it seem like nothing will ever improve, but that’s where depression therapy can help. With the support and guidance of our compassionate depression therapists at LaunchPad Counseling, it is possible to heal, feel better, and reconnect to the inherent joy in life.
Have any questions? Send us a message!
Depression Is A Common Outcome In Our Culture
We live in a time where expectations (many of them unrealistic) are higher than ever to have a perfect career, a loving family, flawless relationships, and a healthy lifestyle. So it’s easy to fall into this comparison trap where it feels like we aren’t doing enough or that there’s something missing. Social media exponentially adds to that sense of “something must be wrong with me.”
On top of that, we are exposed to negative news about war and politics that can fuel feelings that the “world is going to hell,” and we’re powerless to control our future. So, it’s understandable why depression is so prevalent in our society.
According to a 2017 national survey, over 17 million US adults reported experiencing at least one major depression episode while only 39 percent of that number ever sought therapy.*
Why Are People Hesitant To Seek Depression Treatment?
By its very nature, depression robs you of motivation, hope, and your sense of control. It sucks the interest and joy out of life. It’s a lens through which the world appears darker—where steps toward feeling better seem impossible and positive outcomes less likely.
All of those forces are very loud and convincing, which means it takes a lot of strength to reach out for help—and here you are. The fact that you are on this page means that you possess an inner resilience and wisdom that we can use to jumpstart real and lasting change in your life. Though it may not seem like it now, depression therapy can help transform the way you see and move through this world.
Therapy Can Be Your Guide To The Other Side Of Depression
If you’re living with depression, you probably worry about burdening friends with your cyclical thoughts or being accused of complaining all the time. That, in turn, leaves you with few resources for talking about what’s going on.
However, working with a depression counselor gives you a confidential space where you can finally be "real" without having to act as if things are better than they are. Our depression therapists at LaunchPad Counseling are specially trained to ask questions tailored to helping you move beyond cyclical thinking, thereby interrupting the dynamics that feed depression.
We also want to attend to aspects of your life that you may not be aware of, whether it involves wounds from the past or something that creates overwhelming hopelessness. Whatever your situation is, your counselor will offer you practical, individualized support for coping with depression that will actually work for YOU.
What Does Treatment For Depression Entail?
Our specialists at LaunchPad Counseling like to start with building and practicing skills specifically designed for managing depression. To do that, we often use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT for depression). As your skill set increases, we’ll begin addressing your most immediate stressors and figure out small steps that will help you move through any current crisis.
Once we stabilize your symptoms, we’ll explore your inner thoughts and work to change negative core beliefs that drive feelings of inadequacy, worthlessness, etc. Throughout treatment, we’ll ask questions that enable you to understand your internal world better. As a result, you’ll be able to recognize negative beliefs that were internalized over time and unlearn self-talk that is inaccurate or unhelpful.
In the long term, depression therapy can help you experience sadness without becoming paralyzed or overwhelmed. You can heal old wounds and re-write old narratives about yourself. And you’ll learn how to accept the things you cannot change while also recognizing what you can control. Then, you’ll be able to use that awareness to shift your life in ways that make your days brighter.
How Do We Approach Psychotherapy For Depression?
At LaunchPad Counseling, our therapists don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to depression treatment. Rather, we listen to our clients to ensure that the route we take on their personal journey of healing leads to success.
That said, our therapists draw from an extensive menu of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic strategies. That includes DBT for depression, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT for depression), and Person-Centered Therapy. We also utilize Mindfulness as well as Music, Play, and Art Therapy.
A large part of depression treatment is using these tools to help you distinguish between your inner voice and the negative messages about yourself you’ve internalized over time. It’s about learning to separate your identity from how you feel so that you can experience the whole range of emotions without becoming overwhelmed.
At the same time, we’ll teach you how to set boundaries with other people in ways that strengthen relationships and keep you feeling safe and comfortable instead of isolated. Other strategies can empower you to see yourself with more kindness and self-compassion, allowing you to recognize your efforts and internalize your personal worth. We’ll also offer you practical skills for recognizing and coping with thoughts in order to change how you feel.
Therapy Is Unlike Any Relationship You’ll Ever Know
Working with a depression counselor means you can be completely honest and express yourself without the worry of being judged. It means that you have an ally and support system, so you don’t have to carry your depression alone or reinvent the wheel to recover.
Our experienced therapists are here to guide you to the other side of depression where you’re happier, life is brighter, and your feelings can coexist in balance.
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When you first meet, your therapist will provide an intake assessment and give you their recommendations at the end of that initial session. Typically, we see clients on a weekly or biweekly basis. As you start to feel better, sessions will be more spaced out. Eventually, you’ll check in with your counselor until you both decide that therapy is no longer needed.
Your therapist can also work with your schedule to set a pace for therapy and work around any time constraints you may have. Moreover, we offer both online and in-person clinical depression therapy services for added convenience.
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Oftentimes, clients describe feeling "lighter," less self-critical, and more capable of enjoying the present moment after therapy. They report looking forward to interests and hobbies again—and that they show up more in their relationships, at work, and in life in general. In a lot of ways, our clients start to feel better as if the dark cloud that’s followed them for so long is gradually dissipating.
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Our depression therapists will assess your situation and get to the core of what’s going on by asking specifically tailored questions about symptoms, personal history, thoughts, and beliefs. From there, you’ll work collaboratively to focus on where you'd like to start feeling better and what that kind of improvement would look like for you.
We’ll also introduce you to a wide range of therapeutic modalities that you and your therapist can use to personalize a treatment plan that suits your needs.
Still Have Questions About Psychotherapy for Depression?
If you’re ready to lose the dark cloud overshadowing your life and discover a brighter, happier future, our depression therapists at LaunchPad Counseling want to help. Please contact us or call (804) 665-4681 to set up your initial online or in-person therapy session and see what your life can be like on the other side of depression.
*https://adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression
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