Depression Counseling in West Chicago, IL.

People suffering from depression have more negative thoughts about themselves, the world, and the future. Those who are depressed also tend to feel more helpless, hopeless and worthless. Research with depressed individuals suggests that treatment focusing on changing peoples’ thought (cogntive behavioral therapy) is a particularly effective treatment for depression. CBT as part of a comprehensive treatment plan is a very effective approach to treating depression.

Research has shown that the most effective approach to depression is a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication (if appropriate). I provide compassionate support for the painful challenges of depression while teaching you to develop effective coping strategies including the ability to lessen negative thinking and increase their enjoyment of daily life. If you are taking or want to try anti-deprresants, I can help with medication management. I also help family members of those with depression manage the stress it causes them as well as learn to use effective approaches to support their relative.

Making sure that if the depression is chemical in nature is very important to get a medical/psychiatric evaluation. Many of symptoms of depression stem from unresolved self esteem issues and early childhood issues. Changing the way we self talk and how we view self and who we operate in the world can change our mood state. Being more aware of the cognitive nature of ones perceptions allow the individual make significant changes in how they feel.

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

Depressive symptoms can stem from a variety of sources in an individual’s life usually reflecting a sense of loss. While medications can be helpful, it’s the behavioral symptoms associated with depression that can leave a lingering impact even after the depressive symptoms have stated to improve. Being pulled into depressive experiences over and over reflects both habits that can be difficult to break and/or subconscious issues that have yet to be addressed. Through processes such as hypnotherapy that address the whole person, we are able to capture a wider range of challenges and help the individual to regain the ground lost to he depressive illness.

Depression is seen by some as a biochemical imbalance that is genetically transferred to the individual and can only be treated through medication. This might be part of the picture, but also a depressive, negative style of thinking can result in changes in the brain that bring about this unhealthy biochemical imbalance - and psychological treatment can change the thinking style that leads to this imbalance, rendering the individual to be free of reliance on medication and overall improved life that lasts on it's own merits.