Depression Counseling in Aldan, PA.

Over my thirty years of practice I’ve seen hundreds of depressed children, teenagers, and young adults. In some kids it shows up as sadness, in others as a chronic irritability or anger. Some kids just sleep a lot, or lose themselves in video games. We can blame technology, social media, the pressure kids feel to get into a “good” college, the disconnect they feel with their parents and other adults, but we can’t deny the fact that many children, teens, and young adults are unhappy. I have a long history of helping these kids work their way out of their depression—sometimes counseling them individually, sometime with their parents—and would welcome the opportunity to help yours.

Depression is more than just feeling sad. Dealing with depression means acknowledging that we may need to adjust our expectations for ourselves since depression affects mood, energy level, sleep, appetite, interest in and enjoyment of activities, our relationships, and more. My approach to helping people with depression begins with finding small, manageable tasks to help you take more control of your life. We also examine thoughts or beliefs that may be affecting your mood, and find positive activities to help you find more joy and start to feel better.

I work with clients to understand how depression affects thoughts, emotions, and daily behaviors. Together, we identify unhelpful patterns and develop practical strategies to lift mood, increase motivation, and rebuild engagement in meaningful activities. I guide clients in challenging negative thinking, setting achievable goals, and cultivating self-compassion. My goal is to help clients regain a sense of control, find hope, and build skills to navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and balance.

Depression can be a lonely and isolating experience. It can also be managed successfully with coping skills and the proper supports. I focus on self esteem building and addressing the painful self talk that might be adding to the depression cycle. Depression is also different for every individual and coming to understand how and why your depression impacts your life will be a major step in learning how to manage it and live a fulfilled hopeful life.

While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, depression, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed. In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma. I am dedicated to working with couples, and families striving to live a life of hope, resiliency, strength, and empowerment. Schedule a free telephone consultation by calling 610-944-4327. https://empoweredlifeandwellnessllc.com/

I help clients look at how past and current factors have led to their current depression. I have them change and/ or adapt their way of dealing with those issues in a way that allows them to feel better. I work with their primary physician and/or psychiatrist to determine if medication would be a helpful adjunctive therapy and if illnesses playing a role in the depression. I also teach clients ways to challenge their negative, distorted views of themselves and others to have a more positive and realistic approach to their lives.

There is a wide continuum that constitutes depression. We all have "bad days" or an occasional case of the "blues," but if you rarely experience any joy in life, if more often than not, it is shear drudgery to get up and face the day, or if your situation feels hopeless, then you may well be suffering from clinical depression. I'll help you identify the source of the depression, and we'll work together to resolve it. If medication seems appropriate (rarely my first choice), I can refer you for medication evaluation.

Depression can distort your view of yourself, your future and the world, leaving you feeling hopeless, guilty or worthless. If you are depressed, you know that it is impossible to "just snap out of it." Research shows that depression disrupts the optimal chemical balance in the brain and changing that is not easy, but therapy is an important part of effective treatment. It is important to recognize ways of thinking or relating to others that hold depression in place; then it is possible to grow in the freedom to think, feel and relate to others differently. These small changes lay the foundation for more growth and healing, and give you the courage to risk new ways of relating.

As a group therapist, I help clients suffering from depression to share their pain and internal dialogues which keep people feeling isolated and hopeless, with the team / group model depressed clients break out of their own internal trap of sadness, desperation as they share and work as part of a team with others who are caring for them. We help people get out of their head and into the world and for folks suffering from depression getting out of their heads is critical for moving forward and getting unstuck.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.

Overcoming Depression with Expert Psychiatric Care Depression can make everyday life feel heavy and hopeless—but you don’t have to suffer in silence. A psychiatrist can help you understand your depression and create a treatment plan that works for you. With a combination of therapy, lifestyle guidance, and, when appropriate, medication, psychiatrists offer effective tools to relieve symptoms like fatigue, sadness, and lack of motivation. As medical doctors, they address both the emotional and biological aspects of depression. Take the first step toward feeling better—schedule a confidential consultation today. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re struggling with depressive symptoms, therapy is a critical part of relief. The first step is being heard & then assessed. Is this a new experience or a familiar one? Has it been triggered by a specific situation? The next, is identifying & replacing negative coping strategies & thoughts with positive alternatives. In addition to identify negative thought patterns, it’s vital to understand where these beliefs came from & work to reframe unhealthy views of the self & others. Know that I’m not someone who immediately suggests medication to everyone. A certain level of discomfort prompts us to change. However, when medication is needed, I'll work closely with your PCP or psychiatrist.

If you are feeling intense sadness, numbness, irritability or just a bad case of the blahs, you may be suffering from depression. Together we will explore the underlying causes of your particular symptoms. Next, we will address these issues so that you can climb out of the black hole that you find yourself in. I have struggled with depression myself and I can tell you that with appropriate guidance from a supportive professional, you can work toward living a fuller, more satisfying life that is not defined by your symptoms. You can take back control of your life and replace self-loathing with self-love, self acceptance, and self-compassion. Enjoy your life, instead of enduring it!!