Depression Counseling in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Children and adolescents who act out due to symptoms of AD/HD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and School Underachievement constantly receive negative feedback from parents, teachers, and peers. This results in underlying feelings of helplessness and hopelessness leading to depression. I motivate such children to develop self-control which leads to improved academic and social skills. This leads to social acceptance and academic achievement and self-esteem rises. Helplessness and hopelessness dissipate and depression and anxiety lessen.

My approach with depression is utilizing multiple techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy to reframe and restructure negative thought patterns and work together to change unhealthy behaviors as a result of those thought patterns. The goal is to identify and address unhealthy thought patterns in order to change those behaviors to relieve symptoms of depression.

I have extensive experience working with depression, from mild forms to severe, cripplling depression. Sometimes depression can seem like the world around you has changed, leaving you isolated and feeling all alone. At times some may feel unable to go on with their daily life. I help you identify the root causes of depression and can provide strategies to move through and onwards with life.

Whether you are in the depths of depression or mildly depressed, I will tune into the underlying causes, help you understand how these are having an impact on you, make a caring connection with you, and you will most likely feel hope. Every person's needs are different, and I therefore work differently with each person. Some people will benefit from medication, but I very rarely insist on that route. I help some by doing walking therapy--get moving, talk while walking. I have helped others get into meditation. I make myself available, and some meet more than once a week, which gives us the opportunity to deepen our work. Being understood and feeling safe here will benefit you.

Depression presents itself when we feel abandoned by ourselves. By showing up for our needs, making space for our emotions, validating our feelings, processing past traumas; depression can ease its grip and we will feel happier, lighter and more at peace with ourselves. I provide a safe space to process all of this so depression no longer needs to control the client’s life.