Depression Counseling in Northridge, CA.

Depression is one of the most common problems people seek out therapy services. Because I am trained in a variety of therapeutic approaches, I am able to offer you a holistic approach to depression treatment. Sometimes depression is habitual, other times it is caused by your cicumstances, and still other times we need to work through the root causes of depression. These may be childhood abuse, traumatic events, bereavement or problems in your relationships or lack there of! I am highly trained and skilled at treating all types of depressions and can help you work through the feelings to resolve even long term depression. Call me! I can help!

You're here for a reason. Something inside you knows things should be better, but how? Depression has a way of sneaking up on people. Like a frog in boiling water, maybe it started with fatigue, then there was a lack of interest in things you once loved (time with family, your career, athletics), then the negative self talk came in and made you believe "this" is the way you are now. Whatever the experience is, it's not too late. Together, we will work to get you back to feeling passionate, peaceful and in control. If you're ready to "feel like yourself again"--let's connect. I'd love to see how I can help.

Are you tired of living a life without joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment? Do you feel lonely and isolated? I specialize is helping you to build your self-confidence and motivation so that you can live a life that feels more satisfying and joyful. Through our relationship you will develop insight and motivation to finally move out into the world so that you can live the life you have always wanted to live.

Using the narrative therapy approach, clients will feel dignified by using their values as a compass. A lot of times self-worth is heavily influenced by the world around us and the expectations of it. Part of the work is learning to filter out the static from society and find your authentic self. I notice a lot of clients will come in with doubt as part of the depression but will later learn what feels true to them.

Studies show that talk therapy along with medication are the most effective for chronic depression. Although I cannot prescribe medication, I have a vast amount of experience practicing talk therapy with depressed clients. Depression can be debilitating and can interfere with every aspect of your life. Whether your depression is situational or hereditary, through psychotherapy we'll get to the root of it.

Are you feeling helpless & hopeless? Is sadness interfering with your ability to work, eat, sleep, or have fun? If so, you may be struggling with depression. I’d like to show you some ways to overcome your sadness, so you can live the happy, productive life you deserve. There’s a lot we can do to change how you feel: We can explore the thoughts & behaviors that cause your sadness & change them to improve your mood. We can also identify the underlying causes of your sadness & develop a plan to eliminate their negative impact. I’ll create a comfortable, non-judgmental environment where you feel safe being open & honest, so you can tap into your personal strengths to achieve your goals.

Discover the cause of depression and what to do about it. Many times people feel depressed because they feel that their life should look different than it does in the moment. Dr. Eris Huemer joins with her clients by helping them explore a preferred future for themselves. She takes her clients through a process that helps them change by constructing solutions rather than dwelling on problems. The emphasis here is on finding solutions to current problems and focusing on future wellness rather than past hurts. This is not to say that the past is ignored but the main emphasis is on teaching new skills and creating the life that you want and deserve.

In treating mood problems, the most important piece in collaborating is to find rays of hope in your life. What did you love to do before that you no longer enjoy? What are/were your interests in life? Who are the people in your life you want to feel closer to? What are your strengths? How can we interupt habitual feelings of hopelessnes, by changing the way you think about triggers that lead you to depressed feelings? How can we challenge negative or unrealistic thinking? With sensitive, open communication in sessins, we can find answers to these questions that can curtail habitual depressive thought and feelings. Coping skills can be taught and mastered.

You can fight depression by exploring how your present emotions relate to past experiences. These insights, gained under the guidance of a caring professional, can deliver release, increase your understanding, build self-esteem and lead to healing. In parallel, you can learn ways to examine your thoughts regarding negativity, distortions etc. This helps you create more positive and realistic thoughts, moving away from having no control towards taking control. In addition, relaxation/meditation techniques can bring you a sense of balance and peace. If poor exercise, nutrition, sleep and social support contribute to your depression, I'll guide you to make changes and keep track of them

Deep sadness is not the only symptom of depression. People experiencing depression may also feel physically fatigued, disconnected from activities they used to enjoy, struggle with sleep issues, or struggle with body weight and appetite. Other people's attempts to help or soothe can sometimes cause further distress, as there isn't always an identifiable "reason" for feeling this way. The way I work with clients experiencing depression balances validation and recognition of the immense pain they feel with exploring lifestyle factors and coping skills they can implement to increase overall wellness and satisfaction with life.

People who have depression have problems thinking, acting, behaving, and even getting through the day. Sometimes, depression can feel as though one is living in a black hole, like an ever-present sense of impending doom looming over them. Some adolescents and adults who have depression don’t feel sadness at all – they may feel empty, angry, and apathetic about their world. I offer life-altering care for adolescents and adults struggling with depression and other challenges in a safe, serene, and confidential environment. I understand that depression treatment is never a one-size-fits-all approach, so I spend the necessary time evaluating and getting to know each adolescent and adult I meet in order to develop a plan of care that meets all their needs. I...(view profile to read more)

Depression is a particularly cruel and insidious companion, often working in tandem with other problems to try to silence us, to steal joy and passion, and to convince us of our uselessness. Depression may try to convince us that there is one truth - our own unworthiness - to the exclusion of all others. Together we will challenge depression's version of your story.

We all feel down sometimes. Real depression is when we can’t get back up. Or it’s when we do so only after great effort, and even then it’s not all the way back. If sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness get in your way, that’s depression. Even mild or periodic depression can interfere in your life. It can also increase conflicts at work and in your relationships. Therapy helps, even without medication. Some people may benefit from medication, but that’s on an individual basis, and research shows that medication works best when it’s combined with therapy. We’ll examine what causes the depression, what you’ve tried, and what else can be done. Depression doesn’t have to stop your living.