Depression Counseling in Oak Park, CA.

Sadness vs. Depression? Which is it? Treatable YES! Everyone feels sad or 'blue' on occassion. People tend to grieve over a loss, but usually, the feelings of grief tend to lessen over time. Depression occurs when feelings of extreme sadness or despair last for at least 2 weeks or longer and tend to interfere with activities of everyday living. Deperessed feelings include helplessness, hopelessness and even thoughts of death and possibly suicide. People with these feelings may feel overwhelmed. Causes may be from body chemistry which influence mood and thought. Chronic illness can accompany depression. Start feeling better. Give me a call and make an appointment now. Dr. Sobo

As a therapist, I approach depression with compassion, collaboration, and a deep understanding that it looks different for everyone. My goal is to help you feel seen, understood, and supported, not just as a set of symptoms, but as a whole person. I create a safe space where we can explore the root causes of your depression, build emotional resilience, and reconnect you with a sense of meaning and purpose. Together, we’ll work at your pace to develop practical tools that support lasting change.

Depression is often a word used too lightly. You should never have to feel stuck in feelings of sadness, despair, and hopelessness as it can make surviving a regular day REALLY hard. It can be debilitating and prevent you from normal day-to-day functioning and can result in people feeling so hopeless they begin to consider or entertain suicidal thoughts. This is why treatment is so incredibly valuable. My dedication is to helping you navigate a way out. I can offer you symptom relief and help you find a more peaceful and balanced state of mind. I use proven modalities to treat your depression, continue to research the latest techniques and treatment, and together we can and will fight this.

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.

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)

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