Depression Counseling in Richmond, CA.

Our understanding of depression and its origins has deepened in recent years, especially with the much more nuanced knowledge we now have about the influences of both our early lives and neurobiology in shaping how we experience and respond to stress and adversity. If you are depresses, it is important to understand whether it is a response to situational, and possibly temporary circumstances, a biological tendency, a response to long-term trauma or a combination of triggers. If you wish to explore how I could help with your particular situation, please call me at 415-533-9724.

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.

I approach the therapeutic healing from depression with a lens of authenticity that begins by building a trusting relationship with the client. Heal from the darkness of depression with my compassionate integration of Internal Family Systems, mindfulness approaches, and other psychodynamic approaches. We will work on accessing your inner wisdom of "self" in combination with awareness of the power and science of the mind and body to help find your light.

I offer a holistic and client-centered experience designed to address the multifaceted nature of depression. I create a supportive and empathetic environment where clients feel safe to explore their feelings and experiences without judgment. By employing evidence-based therapies, such as Ketamine Therapy (KAP), IFS, and mindfulness practices, I work with clients to identify negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and build resilience. Additionally, I tailor interventions to each individual’s unique needs, incorporating their personal strengths and goals into the therapeutic process. This comprehensive approach empowers client to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling life.

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.

I believe depression is caused when we shut down our emotional expression. As in if we shut down one part of ourselves, such as our anger, or our desire, or our fear, or any other one part, we can't just shut down the one channel and we end up shutting them all down, leading to depression. The solution is to create the safety and trust needed for the person to finally be able to express and feel what they have been blocking and thus move past the depression into more aliveness.

I work with hardworking professionals in managing depression while upholding their commitment to excellence in both their careers and personal lives. In collaboration with my clients, we explore their motivations and cultivate hope. Together, we devise solutions to handle depression while reshaping their self-critical inner dialogue into a supportive one. I equip clients with practical tools to diminish self-criticism and depression, fostering a more composed and focused life. If you're seeking to silence that self-critical voice and find relief from depression, I'm here to help you on that journey. I offer free 15-minute consultations. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

I help men who are suffering from depression, regain a sense of meaning and vitality in their life. My experience includes more than a decade of work helping men who felt lost, turn their lives around. The benefit of having a therapist with explicit experience working with men, means that you are more likely to feel understood and helped in a way that is relevant to you. My approach is warm, straightforward, and research-based. The benefits of therapy can be far-reaching and life changing. You can read more about my work on my website. Also, I am happy to provide a free initial phone consultation, to talk with you about therapy, and to answer any questions you may have. Give me a call today.

I am of the opinion that feelings of depression are most offten associated with unexpressed or unacknowledged deep-seated feelings of anger that we hold on to for one reason or other. Because every human behavior has a purpose, holding on to one's anger in the form of depression has some "secondary" gain for the individual, perhaps putting one in the victim's role and otherwise allowing us to feel a sense of control in situtions where we may feel out of control. However, there is a great price to pay for this in terms of a loss of aliveness and joy in one's life. I help people who are stuck in their depression to get to the other side.

Depression (and anxiety) are normal responses to painful environments. Are finding it difficult to be motivated? Are you lower energy than you should be? Is it hard to get out of bed? Do you get irritable for no reason at times? If so, you may be suffering from depression. I attack depression from two angles. One strategy is using CBT strategies to help you manage some of your symptoms. I also use EMDR, attachment based psychotherapy, and body / nervous system informed strategies to help you transform some of the underlying brain mis-wiring that is there from your past. Don't find somebody that just stares at you and lets you continue to be depressed. Let's do something about this!

TIRED OF FEELING DOWN ALL THE TIME? Are you struggling with insecurities, stress, and self-doubts? Are you stuck in some strange vicious cycles? I can help you go deep and identify the source of your unhappiness, take charge of your life and move on to happiness, empowerment and meaning... Counseling can help you overcome sadness, and destructive emotions. Call me for a free telephone consultation session.

I have specialized in treating depression for many years. Rather than viewing this as a 'pathology,' I see depressed moods as a form of dispiritedness- i.e. a loss or breakage of our inner spirit. This condition is a signal that some aspect of our life and/or self needs attention and healing. Often, we can sense the dispirited self through posture, life-stances, behavioral patterns, lack of energy and drive, and an inner sense of resignation or defeatism. When we allow the body freedom to experience, express and move, then its energy comes alive and leads us to discover how the spirit was broken. I show us ways that we can recover the wounded self, restore spirit and rejuvenate life energy.

Depression is the result of loss, powerlessness and trauma. The negative experiences we have, when not processes, the experiences that have become frozen in the form of despair, rage, powerlessness, grief and disconnection from ourselves and others leads to depression. These experiences can be made active, can be processed through and healing can take place. I draw from EMDR and somatic approaches to resolve depressive symptoms and the underlying reasons for the depressive state that formed.