Depression Counseling in West, TX.

My approach with depressed clients involves several areas. First, I assess relevant history and the person's current life situation, in order to evaluate possible factors which may be contributing to the depressive symptoms. Specific depressive symptoms are identified, including areas such as crying spells, sleep disturbance, appetite changes, decreased motivation, etc. Although background factors are important to review, my approach to treating depression involves a major focus on the present situation. Next, I assess what changes I can recommend to the client to begin addressing right now. These could be needed relationship changes, better health habits, or to end harmful behaviors.

Depression can be as crippling as it is painful. Friends and family who have not been through it offer well-meaning and overly simplistic advice that often adds to the exhaustion you already feel. Our team of therapists can help you find your footing, learn to breathe again, and develop strategies to manage the depression and the other obligations and relationships in your life, without overlooking the deep wounds that often underlie depression.

Depression is sadly common in the human experience. It is often referred to as the common cold of human emotions. It does not have to run or ruin your life however. Cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the many tools I utilize to help people move through their depression to a place of hope and resilience. At the core of so much depression is a private belief system, that, when transformed, can alleviate much suffering. I can help you transform that private logic that misguides you, resulting in depression. You can gain a new perspective and ditch the messages that drag you down.

I work with clients experiencing clinical and/or situational depression. We use a combination of CBT, EMDR and other modalities to uncover the roots of depression and to make us aware of our triggers and thought patterns. Through self-awareness and self-compassion, clients discover new ways of looking at their world which align with their values.

Depression is an incredibly complex and painful experience. Sometimes depression is a response to traumatic events. Sometimes it is linked to a loss of meaning in life. On occasion depression springs wholly from biological changes in the brain and body. Usually, though, depression involves a combination of all of these experiences. I am convinced that depression can actually be a positive experience when we acknowledge its power to make us stop and look more thoughtfully at our lives. My goal is to help people alleviate the most painful symptoms of depression, and then to help them consider what are the deeper questions the depression is revealing.

I work with a depressed nervous system by working with the body. Often we struggle to sleep, eat, or accomplish relatively simple tasks. Our bodies are stuck with the brake on. When our body thinks it is futile, out mind follows quickly thereafter and we begin to tell ourselves how pointless things are and how worthless we are. I work with the whole body to re-regulate the body to enable you to get back to a whole integrated self.