Depression Counseling in Petaluma, CA.

Depression is a signal from our internal system telling us we need to stop. What we need to stop may need to be discovered still, and therapy can help us to do just that. Depression tells us that some part of us feels hopeless, powerless and despairing, in light of the conditions or circumstances we are facing, and that nothing we can do will change that. I believe that we can address those feelings and together, we can find a way through the darkness of depression and help it to see and feel the power of our presence together. Let's not be afraid of what it might say, and instead appreciate it as a messenger and together, I believe we can hear its dilemma and help you to find a way through!

I use several methods for helping you overcome depression. I support you in maintaining safety. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I help you to identify unhelpful thoughts and learn how to restructure your thoughts. I help you identify root causes of your depression and find ways to reduce their impact by replacing them with activities and relationships that support you in increased positive mood and personal responsibility. Depression can be comorbid with other issues you may be struggling with and I take a holistic approach to help you address what is needed in order to become a more fulfilled, and satisfied individual.

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.

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.

Depression is a serious issue. I know it is difficult to seek help when you are depressed and you probably feel hopeless that there is any help at all. It is the nature of the illness that keeps you from getting the help you deserve. Psychotherapy can help! Depression is treatable and you can live a happier and more productive life. I provide a safe place to help you understand and deal with the depression and together we will create a plan to help you feel better.

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 can rob your life of pleasure and meaning. It can become difficult to do things that could make you feel better. Instead, you'll often do the things that make you feel worse, like eating or drinking too much and avoiding the people you care about.  We believe that your depression has meaning.  Whether the cause is a long-term issue or a sudden crisis, or a feeling that there's more to life, depression has something to teach you. Our goal is to help you understand what's going on and help you regain a life of joy and meaning.

Psychotherapy can be used to treat a depression. Therapy can help lift the depression, sometimes forever, sometimes for a period of time. Therapy works by addressing some of the causes of depression. Those things that seem to be related to depression include: difficult relationships in the past and present, traumatic experiences from the recent and distant past, emotions that are unexpressed in healthy ways, and ways of thinking that were learned from those around you, from both childhood and adulthood. The problem here is that if you are depressed, you may not feel like you deserve treatment. Your depression may have increased a sense of hopelessness, and low self-esteem. I

The root of depression is complex. There is probably a genetic predisposition and may often accompany anxiety and trauma. Some difficult triggers can include the death of a loved one, divorce, illness, or having a challenging relationship with alcohol and other substances. It is not uncommon for life transitions that on the surface appear positive (weddings, pregnancy, children going to college, retirement) to trigger feelings of depression. You can find relief and healing through psychotherapy. Together, we can identify the triggers to get to the source of the suffering, identify short and long term solutions to bring about a sense of relief, and explore different avenues to help.