Depression Counseling in Irvine, CA.

I work with individuals who experience an inner critical voice that attacks them with messages such as: “I am not enough”; “I need to be a better person”; "I cannot trust others". Some explain feeling overly responsible and share that they have difficulty expressing their authentic feelings to others. I help my clients discover that there is plenty of room for every aspect of their personhood. Shame, depression and anxiety dissipate and self-acceptance is the natural byproduct. Letting go of shame and worry leads to greater joy and fulfillment in interpersonal relationships.

Depression can be like trying to climb out of a hole that keeps getting deeper. Therapy can help. I use ACT and IFS techniques to help you build a discover compassionate and effective healing. You are ready to: Feel a new sense of purpose, balance, and passion in life. Create boundaries that honor your well-being, Explore how your past may have shaped where you are now. Create fulfilling relationships with yourself, your loved ones, and life. Discover you are enough

Do you feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders? Does the heaviness make it hard for you to get out of bed? Do you wish you could keep the covers over your head rather than face life right now? Are you sleeping too much or not at all? Are you having difficulty taking care of routine things like paying the bills or cleaning the house? All of these can be signs of depression and there is help. I know it’s hard to reach out when you feel so bad, but doing nothing will be harder in the long run. Please take the first step & give me a call at 714-751-0888. We will work together to release the grip that depression has on you and restore you back to the person you truly are.

Depression is about the past, and prevents people from recognizing that things can change postively as a result of their choices. In my work with Depression I use a variety of techniques and strategies, but the overarching focus is to empower my clients to realize their resources and abilities to effect positive changes. Sometimes this involves helping people overcome self limiting beliefs. Sometimes it involves recalling past successes and what is right about themselves. Sometimes I support a person in reconnecting with effective behaviors. Othertimes new behaviors and strategies are developed. Most often my clients use a variety of these in the service of reclaiming their lives.

It can often seem like society expects us to be happy and positive at all times, that any admission of sadness or a loss of motivation, energy, or engagement with life is a personal failure. But Depression isn't a personal failure, and it is also more than just "feeling sad". If you find yourself down in the hole of disconnection, surrounded by a fog that is interfering with your life and relationships, you need a hand to help you climb out. A trained therapist understands the mechanics of depression and can help you understand it and find strategies to make your way up and out of it, and back into the light. Please contact me so we can begin to work on this process together.

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.

First, it's important to me to understand what my clients mean by "depression" because how one client experiences depression can be very different than another client. This is necessary so I can customize the strategies I use for each specific client based on their unique experience of depression. Ultimately, my clients can expect to discover real-world steps they can take to feel not just "less depressed" but better about their life - and more positive and hopeful.

Depression (major depressive disorder) is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, the way you think and how you act. Fortunately, it is also treatable. Depression causes feelings of sadness and/or a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems and can decrease your ability to function at work and at home.

Feeling Depressed? You are not alone; depression affects an estimated 121 million world-wide. The good news is, is that depression is treatable and I can help. I provide non-judgmental and supportive atmosphere, where you can feel comfortable talking about your emotions, and learning new insights and coping strategies. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for depression. At the heart of CBT is an assumption that your mood is directly related to you patterns of thought. In our sessions, I will help you to recognize negative patterns of thought, evaluate their validity, and replace them with healthier ways of thinking.

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 is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.