Depression Counseling in Bolingbrook, IL.

Depression is frequently referred to as the common cold of mental health issues. Everyone experiences difficulties in life from time to time but when normal grief, stress,work, family issues or other stressors become overwhelming depression can set in causing individuals very serious symptoms and struggles including, decreased energy/motivation, alienation from relationships, feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, poor concentration and at worst no longer wanting to go on with life. The good news is there is help available. When dealing with depression it is important to be able to talk about the struggle but we will also give you strategies and tools to relieve your distress.

I've been treating depression and bipolar since 1996 and it is what I do best from chronic lifelong depression to a sad mood that is based on temporary circumstances. I am a constant researcher because I write for several columns a month and keynote speaker at conferences so I am up to date on the implementation of current evidence based therapies that produce results. I am also in an office with a psychiatrist and two psychiatric nurse practitioners if medication management is needed. We all work together providing continuity of care. I am also a top referral source for several local hospitals when a patient is discharged due to depression, bipolar, and anxiety disorders.

Depression can be debilitating. Dealing with loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, feeling worthless, low mood, and overall difficulty dealing with the day to day can be a symptom of depression. Through counseling I can help provide you relief from depression. I will help you identify ways your thinking is impacting your mood and offer your tools to help correct your thinking. I will also teach you new ideas/concepts that will help you make changes to your thinking and mood.

I use traditional cognitive behavioral (CBT) approaches and third-wave mindfulness based CBT approaches in the treatment of Depression. These are considered evidence-based treatments. Importantly, I conduct a thorough assessment of depression symptoms as part of my intake procedures to determine the best course of treatment. I then collaborate closely with my clients to develop their treatment plan.

Are you struggling with depression? Do you find it hard to get out of bed in the morning? Have you lost interest in things you have liked to do in the past? Are you feeling down most of the time? Research shows that talk therapy can help get you back to living your life again. Together, we can work to come up with a plan to help you get back on the right track. For more information, please don't hesitate to contact me.

People who struggle with depression often report feeling overwhelmed with life or less interested in activities. They struggle with maintaining focus and have difficulty in interpersonal relationships. While there are many types of therapy for the treatment of depression, today, most people with depression can be treated successfully with antidepressant medications, “talk” therapy (psychotherapy), or a combination of the two. Talk therapy is effective because it helps you to understand and work through the root of depression, helping you to identify patterns of thinking and behaving that underlie personal difficulties. With therapy, you will be able to live in accordance with your values.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been identified as the treatment of choice for depression. Whether you are on medication or not, CBT strategies can offer relief from the heavy weight of depressive symptoms. Kari's clients gain an understanding of what makes someone vulnerable to depression, how to increase motivation, energy, and positive mood. They will learn how to react to difficult situations with control and composure and better combat depressive tendencies in the future. Because teens display depression differently than adults, parents are often unsure about their son/daughter. Kari will provide an assessment and if necessary, a plan for effective treatment.

From mild to severe, the levels of sadness or depression that may color your world can be oppressive. We can help you understand the complicated nature of your own sadness or depression, including both the bio-chemical aspects as well as the emotional impact. Through this understanding, we develop a plan with you to access your strengths again, and see the world differently.

I assist individuals suffering from depression find hope, connection, and relief by collaborating with them through their journey. When necessary and appropriate, I will collaborate with the individual's other health care providers to ensure the greatest level of care and progress. Those suffering with depression have difficulty finding hope, energy, and worth - I assist this individual in each aspect of this experience. I approach them with warmth, understanding, hope, and empathy.

Sometimes people feel depresed and can atribute it to stressful events that have occured, other times people can't quite put their finger on why they feel depressed, they just know they're not happy, feel unmotivated, and in some cases hopeless and helpless. What we now know about neuroscience helps us understand how and why depression occurs. I will help you determine whether your depression can be improved through talk therapy combined with some changes to your daily routine or whether a clinical depression has set in that may respond well to medication too. I have a wonderful, caring Doctor I work with who will assess clinical depression and offer recommendaitons if necessary.

Some of the benefits in seeking counseling for depression are: Improved mood Increase in seeking out things that make you feel good Replacing negative thought patterns Help in recognizing when the depression started and treating the root cause Help in recognizing daily stressors that can contribute to the depression Can help with motivation to achieve goals

In working with clients suffering from depression, I take a holistic approach that considers their emotional, psychological, and relational well-being. I focus on understanding each client's unique experiences and how these impact their mental health. By exploring their thought patterns and beliefs, we can uncover negative self-talk and cognitive distortions that often accompany depression. I also emphasize the importance of building supportive relationships, Together we can examine interpersonal dynamics that may contribute to feelings of isolation or sadness.

People may medicate their depression with TV, alcohol, food, isolation, or excessive sleep. One definition of depression is "anger turned inward." Talking with a psychologist is one of the best methods to understand your down moods, unusual thoughts, and self-defeating beliefs. Friends may say, "Get over it" about your jealousy toward your sister or your sadness over your girlfriend who texted "it's over" 3 months ago. If you are on medication for already-diagnosed depression, therapy is important to bring new ideas into your brain. If you are considering medication, start with talk therapy. Don't keep waiting for "it" to go away. What's at the bottom of your depression?