Depression Counseling in Vadnais Heights, MN.

In my work with depression, I have found that it's often like a big, thick lens that distorts the worldview of the person I'm working with. Along with the distortion is a draining away of energy, motivation, and hope. I help the person see this lens, to understand its impacts, and to identify what he or she really wants in their life (which shows up in their values, hopes, and ideals). The source of the depression may be a specific life event or a pervasive sense of being "not good enough" (usually established in childhood). I often use hypnosis to correct mistaken beliefs behind the sense of unworthiness or to let the sadness go, which has proven to be very effective for powerful healing.

Depression affects 15 million people in this country! And yet, there is still a considerable stigma surrounding depression, which is why I know it can be hard to reach out and ask for help. However, depression is treatable! It is so important to address the issue so you can move on with your life. Talk therapy, exercise, medication, change of habits, and maintaining relationships are all powerful and proven antidotes to depression. Contact me for a free complimentary consultation and start living the life you were meant to lead!

My method of treating depression is to assess the causes of the depression, mobilize your strengths, and support you in making the needed behavioral, cognitive and emotional changes. Depression can result from biological and/or psychosocial factors. Effective treatment will explore the underlying causes as well as developing more effective coping skills. These skills include using social support, changing self-talk, resolving underlying issues, healthy emotional expression, setting and achieving goals, and increasing assertive behavior. My clinical approach to treatment is to be actively engaged, supportive, direct and practical.

I always think of depression and anxiety as close relations. Although they feel very different in the body, they often arise for the same reason; to protect us. For me, the key to working with depression is to use curiosity and compassion to figure out why it has such a hold, and to understand what purpose it serves. I believe that we develop depression because it was adaptive at some point in our lives, but then it stops working for us. If we understand the message/purpose/role this part plays within us, without judgement or shame, it's a lot easier to release depression's hold on us.

Depression is something that we all experience during some periods of life. However, when it becomes habitual and saps our feelings of inner joy and energy for life then it's time that we must do something about it. Often people who suffer from depression and become accustomed to it and feel hopeless about whether they can ever really change their mood. There is hope! With commitment to therapy and working on changing the underlying negative patterns of beliefs causing depression, there is every possibility of change.

There are times when depression is debilitating and life may seem hopeless. Although you may feel alone you are not. In therapy I will stand with you and help you rediscover the strength that is within you and help you find your way back to feeling normal. I use a person-centered, cognitive behavior approach so you receive both support and direction. I can also connect you to other resources for medication or holistic health management. Call today.

We all feel sad or discouraged at times. However, sometimes these feelings persist for months, or are so intense that it is a daily struggle to wake up, shower, and actively participate in life. You may feel hopeless, that there is no meaning to life, and cut off contact from your loved ones. There is no single 'cause' of depression and others may become frustrated your failed attempts at getting better. Our work together can identify the many factors contributing to low mood, change unhelpful patterns of thinking or behaving that contribute to depression, increase self esteem and empowerment, and identify a balance between your self-care and various life commitments.

There is still a lot of stigma around mental health and depression. Thoughts such as "I don't want to be a burden" and "I don't know who to talk to" are common. Depression is just a part of who you are - it is not all of you. When you are ready, I will help you develop the necessary skills so that over time, depressive symptoms will become fewer and have a lesser hold on your life.

Does life feel overwhelming and hopeless? I'll help you connect with your pain without getting lost in it, understand where it comes from, and interrupt the cycle of negative and despairing thoughts that characterize depression. When you can make sense of your suffering and share it in a supportive environment, it shifts from feeling impossible to live with to being a manageable part of life. You'll understand the events and behaviors in your life that contribute to feeling depressed and learn how to experience a range of emotions. Whether you're on antidepressants or feel strongly about not using them, therapy is an effective way to break depression's state of lethargy and powerlessness.

When you are depressed, if effects you whole life, mind and body. Our therapists want to help you to feel better and regain control over your life. We sport you while you learn skills to manage your emotions and assist you in using skills to tolerate and decrease your distress. We use a Dialectical Behavioral approach to learning and skills training, while offering you the convenience of E-therapy from your own home.

When the world become so dark and difficult with little hope, this is the time to reach out for care. Sometimes, life does not get this dark, but it is just hard to go on from day to day and have the energy or motivation to get up and live life. Everyone's sense of depression is different and can have different sources depending upon who you are. While working with you in a therpeutic relationship, we can begin to piece together the areas of your life contributing to your depression. Psychological treatment can help you understand the depression and learn other ways to care for yourself which our life giving verses life draining. Depression is a lonely illness. Seek help!

Are you sad more days than not? Feeling lethargic hopeless with no energy or enthusiasm to enjoy life? Unfortunately, 89% of people suffering from depression do not seek help. Depression is a very treatable condition. Together we will determine if you are experiencing depression and the individual treatment plan necessary to restore you to living the full life you were born to live!

I work with many clients that have reported depression as one of the reasons they used. Depression can also be something that people in early recovery may experience as the body and the brain adjust to not having the person’s chemical of choice and slowly returns back to the normal state of homeostasis. I work with clients on developing a variety of coping skills such as Mindfulness Techniques, and various skills from Cognitive and Dialectical Behavioral Therapies. These techniques can reduce symptoms of depression for many clients in a short period of time. For other clients further work may be necessary to increase self-esteem and feelings of worthiness.