Depression Counseling in Playa Del Rey, CA.

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.

Depression is stigmatized, leaving sufferers feeling isolated. Lack of education regarding depression causes others to assume its under the person's control; when often there are biological factors blocking healing. Callous terms like "Snap out of it" leave the sufferer feeling all the more hopeless, because they can't snap out of it any more than a diabetic can snap out of diabetes without medical attention or treatment. Depression can be the result of a depletion of significant hormones in the brain. The Word of God is a powerful tool I use with clients to stifle the negative cognitions of depression. I refer clients for medical intervention when depression is not responding to therapy.

Life can be very stressful these days. Cell phones, I Pads, smart phones, e mail, social networks all are fun and wonderful but they also bring with them higher expectations from work, family, friends and even ourselves. Our world keeps speeding up and the pressures can be great. Depression as an outgrowth of the stresses and pressures that surround us is becoming increasing common and a part of each of our lives. Most of us will experience depression at one or more points in our lives. Medication can help but is usually not the long term answer. We will work to identify the problems, find solutions, set goals and work toward minimizing the causes and find more peace and calm.

Among the most common events leading to depression are; experiencing changes in our daily functioning & feeling a loss of control in our lives, such as in our relationships, health, careers, family, divorce, death, history of abuse, finances, sex lives, or even moving. In dealing with depression, I utilize a holistic, strengths based approach. We will explore how these changes are impacting you physically, personally and socially. Together, we will draw on the positive aspects of your existing supports & routines that remain intact, reinforce or rebuild these, & work toward helping you maneuver through the depression you are experiencing.

Depression can envelop all aspects of a persons life, but with proper support and guidance it can be worked through. Although life can feel hopeless at times, there is a light at the end of the tunnel that can be found with professional help. Let me help you regain a love for the things you once enjoyed, and rebuild connections with people that improve your wellbeing. Overcoming depression is a process, and I can help.

When treating depression, I employ cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) therapy which is empirically validated in research studies to help people with depression. By modifying routines and behavior and learning how to challenge dysfunctional thoughts, clients are helped to improve mood in a relatively short time. This approach is collaborative, active, and supportive. Clients are usually asked to keep records, complete worksheets, test new behaviors, run experiments, and report back on the outcome.

Depression is a complex condition that involves changes in mood, behavior and thinking. It can effect our most important personal and work related relationships. Physically, it can interrupt our sleep, appetite and energy level. Sometimes, a medical solution is needed and other times a psychological approach is best while other times a combination of both is the optimal treatment. As a psychotherapist with 32 years experience, I have helped many people overcome their depression through proven treatments that change the patterns of thinking, acting, and relating that tend to maintain depressive moods. Psychotherapy can greatly benefit the person seeking relief from this condition.

Sometimes life just seems overwhelming. The pain, sadness and anger take over, and you just don't know how you're going to make it through the day. You are not alone. Let me help you find hope again. In a safe and nurturing environment, I will be supportive and help guide you back to feeling the joy in your life. You deserve to be happy and enjoy your life to the fullest.

My therapeutic approach in treating depression is to assist my clients in gaining insight and awareness as to the origin and cause of their depressed mood and unhappiness. I conduct an evaluation to determine the severity of the depression and create a treatment plan for therapy. I assist clients in understanding the causes for their depression, help clients develop coping mechanisms and increase awareness of behaviors that perpetuate the client's depression. My work mainly consists of teaching emotional intelligence, mindfulness, DBT, and CBT skills to learn to manage and overcome the depression.

Depression feels terrible! You may not be sleeping. You may be more irritable than usual. You may be have tears coming out of your eyes unexpectedly. The great news, is that of all the illnesses you could be experiencing, depression is one of the most treatable. You don't have to feel like this forever. You are not your depression. Using CBT, solution focused brief therapy, and positive psychology we are going to work to get you on the road to feeling better! Call me today for a complimentary confidential phone consultation and let's get started right away! You are cordially invited to view my blog at: www.blogger.com/profile/05583261728767907328

Clients that come in with depression can be in a very difficult time and phase in their lives. With therapy, you will be able to identify what is making you depressed and how to decrease it significantly by using every day tools that can be learned. You will be in a safe environment and able to share your feelings that are related to feelings of depression and sadness.

When a loved one dies many people experience depression along with their other symptoms of grief. As a bereavement therapist I understand that grief takes a long time and that it is very difficult to learn to live without your loved one. Through grief counseling we can together help you regain your sense of balance and begin to lift the depressive feelings that can be overwhelming.

Depression presents itself uniquely in each individual. Further, in working with children and young adults, they can too often be misdiagnoses as their behavioral presentation is labeled as disruptive and oppositional. Having a clear understanding of depression impacts the behavioral outlook of the individual is pivotal on developing an effective plan in addressing these concerns. By working with my clients and families in understanding the depression we are often able to shape the environment in which the depression exists. Joining this with cognitive behavioral and evidenced based interventions, we are then able to more effectively address these symptoms in our pursuit of long term goals.