Depression Counseling in Castro Valley, CA.

In treating depression I explore your history, is your depression in your family or only your experience. Did it start with some incident or repeated incidents - abuse, bullying, trauma? Then we target the negative beliefs contributing to your depression using EMDR or Energy Psychology - EFT Tapping, or HealingCodes. These methods enable us to reduce the depression and give you an ongoing tool to use to be able to manage and even possibly eliminate it all together.

Depression can be painful for the person suffering from it as well as those closest to them. When we are depressed, previously enjoyable activities can appear meaningless. We lose interest in connecting with others (often exacerbating symptoms). Furthermore, it can feel as though there is "no point" to life. We all have periods of time when we feel less than ideal, but depression is severe and enduring. Counseling provides an atmosphere where it is safe to discuss these feelings.

Depression can be debilitating and lonely. I understand the complexities of depression and have found that my psychodynamic, psychoanalytically-minded technique is very successful in treating depression. I have found psychotherapy to be very effective in helping individuals find a way to overcome their struggles and reclaim energy and purpose in their lives.

Our understanding of depression and its origins has deepened in recent years, especially with the much more nuanced knowledge we now have about the influences of both our early lives and neurobiology in shaping how we experience and respond to stress and adversity. If you are depresses, it is important to understand whether it is a response to situational, and possibly temporary circumstances, a biological tendency, a response to long-term trauma or a combination of triggers. If you wish to explore how I could help with your particular situation, please call me at 415-533-9724.

When one is depressed the range of thoughts and feelings encompass a wide spectrum. Sadness and despair might be pervasive. One can feel as if they have fallen into a deep dark pit where everything is covered in negativity and hopelessness. In this state, one can feel inadequate, discouraged, unable or unwilling to make decisions. In addition, guilt, shame, profound low self-esteem and loss of interest in relationships, sex, career and even life itself are commonly found. A variety of evidence-based tools, specific to the needs of the individual, applied skillfully at the right time, can dramatically lift one out of that deep, dark pit and help avoid relapse.

If you find yourself often experiencing a low mood, feeling melancholy, or sad, together we will find strategies to help you manage some of the symptoms that may, for example, have you struggling with finding hope for the future or that have you asking "what is the point?" I utilize various approaches to help you create new ways to cope with how you are feeling, to understand the source of your depression, and to list options to help find the change you are looking for.

Working with the experience of depression is much more than changing our thoughts to change our behavior. Our brains are wired to notice the negative; it's part of our survival. I support my clients in expanding what they notice, and help them discover what works for them by creating a tool kit through experiential relational interventions in session. When I see children, I utilize play therapy as the modality, including Child Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and Prescriptive Play Therapy. When working with adolescents and adults, I utilize expressive arts, DBT, CBT and Narrative Therapy.

I help men who are suffering from depression, regain a sense of meaning and vitality in their life. My experience includes more than a decade of work helping men who felt lost, turn their lives around. The benefit of having a therapist with explicit experience working with men, means that you are more likely to feel understood and helped in a way that is relevant to you. My approach is warm, straightforward, and research-based. The benefits of therapy can be far-reaching and life changing. You can read more about my work on my website. Also, I am happy to provide a free initial phone consultation, to talk with you about therapy, and to answer any questions you may have. Give me a call today.

Depression robs us, not only of our happiness and sense of well-being, but also of the hope that things will get better. Depression makes us feel we are worthless, so it is hard to reach out for the help we need. I help clients defeat depression through reestablishing hope and improving self-esteem and self-care. I have worked with clients suffering from chronic, lifelong depression as well as those experiencing their first depressive episode. Overcoming depression restores resilience and can teach lifelong lessons in self-care and the path to emotional health. I have been there myself, so I know that there is hope. You will overcome depression and feel like yourself again.

Are you feeling sad? Hopeless? Worthless? Are you struggling to find motivation? How about the energy needed to connect with friends? Or are you feeling isolated? All of these (and more) are very common symptoms of depression. As your therapist, I will use CBT therapy to improve your quality of life. I love using CBT for depression because it makes common sense. We learn to notice those negative thoughts. Then we learn together which thoughts are hurting you and causing you to feel emotional pain. Lastly, we work together to change and replace those thoughts with something better. It's not a magical cure, but this is a long-standing and proven technique for depression and I find it helpful!

Depression (and anxiety) are normal responses to painful environments. Are finding it difficult to be motivated? Are you lower energy than you should be? Is it hard to get out of bed? Do you get irritable for no reason at times? If so, you may be suffering from depression. I attack depression from two angles. One strategy is using CBT strategies to help you manage some of your symptoms. I also use EMDR, attachment based psychotherapy, and body / nervous system informed strategies to help you transform some of the underlying brain mis-wiring that is there from your past. Don't find somebody that just stares at you and lets you continue to be depressed. Let's do something about this!

When depression hits, it's like a ton of bricks weighing on you. It feels like there is no way out of the fog. It can be helpful to have a place to explore this and validate how difficult it can be to experience depression. Therapy is a safe place for you to understand what underlying issues might be making the depression more difficult to manage. I will provide that safe place for you to gain understanding about yourself and the depression you experience. I will also work with you to find tools that can help you move through it with more ease and confidence. I look forward to supporting you through this process.