Depression Counseling in Fort Hunt, VA.

Depression is a suffering that takes the joy out of life and seems endless and hopeless. It drains your self-esteem. It is a sign of a problem but it makes solving problems more difficult. Sometimes medication can help, but psychotherapy is more effective. There are several approaches to getting out of depression and I would use all of them. We can work to notice and challenge depressing thoughts. We can work with underlying trauma or loss where you may have begun to feel depressed. I can also support you to take the kind of actions that lift your mood. You will learn ways of being more nourished and fulfilled.

Depression is sometimes referred to as the "common cold" of mental health. At its root depression is about loss and loss always in some way has to do with love. In depression we lose a sense of connection to ourselves, to our relationships, to our tasks and even to God. In therapy, I provide a safe environment where you can face your sadness and loss, talk about it and reconnect in a caring place. Healing comes as deep pain is brought into loving and compassionate connection.

Depression can be a difficult topic to admit to, much less come to therapy for, but the courage it takes to make that call is your first step out of the darkness. Depression would like you to believe that no one can help you and that you're all alone, but it's not true - feeling that way is actually a symptom of depression itself! That's one reason why depression can be particularly insidious - it can make you feel like something is wrong with you at your core, and so make it hard for you to reach out for help. The truth is that depression is a condition that responds to proper therapy treatment, not a character flaw. Believe that and reach out for the help you deserve.

My approach with clients who suffer from depression is a combination of talk therapy, lifestyle changes (such as diet, exercise, and sleep habits), and coordination of care with other medical professionals who may prescribe medication if appropriate. We work together to process your feelings, we problem solve how depression gets in your way of wholehearted living, and heal relationships that have changed. I believe that feeling joyful again is possible, but my optimism and hope will never negate your experience of sadness.

Seeking counseling from me, who is experienced and truly understands depression, can provide you with much relief. When in the throes of depression, many individuals develop tunnel vision and feel trapped.I can help eliminate self-destructive patterns.In your counseling sessions, you can begin to identify and address depression symptoms, learn ways to take better care of yourself and those who depend on you, and learn how to live your life in more constructive and empowering ways.

Depression can be so difficult to manage and come out of nowhere. When we work together, we will gently learn the core of the distress that you are experiencing. As we learn your life story, we may find that some of the distress is rooted in early childhood trauma and attachment wounding. We will embrace all parts of yourself and learn about the challenging messages you may have grown up with that manifested into the distress you feel today. Depression can be a messenger, an alarm telling you that it is time to heal experiences from earlier in life. In our work together, we'll use EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy and Expressive Arts to help you become your best self.

Life can present you with difficult situations which are hard to process and move past. These challenges are not on your timeline and affect everything. Having worked in many healthcare settings, I am familiar navigating life-changing events and grief. I understand the territory of encountering loss, coping with trauma, the complexity of the medical system and living with illness. These issues can have ripple effects on your relationships, sense of self and perceptions of the world. I know how complex things can get, and I will support you during this process.

Depression is a cloud over one's life. For those afflicted with depression, please understand you are not alone. You are not going out of your mind, and the black cloud can be lifted. As a depressed Christian, don't feel ashamed. A sad truth is that many Christians attach spiritual failure to depression. So, they suffer in silence, hoping, and praying for deliverance. For clients wishing to be treated without habit forming drugs, I can assist in finding a reprieve, through Bibliotherapeutic, and God's earthly grown methods. If it is determined that medication is required, I can provide a referral. With both methodologies in place, the mind, body, and soul can be successfully restored.

Often times our circumstances in life can leave us feeling defeated and hopeless, sometimes even to the point of wondering if there is any point in moving forward. A big part of my approach to counseling is to help you discover your ability to create the life that you want, and to empower you to make the changes necessary to do so. I am so excited to walk with you as you discover your potential and become acquainted with the person you are meant to be.

Depression can feel like a dark cloud that hovers over you. Sometimes it can come with no warning and feel like the cloud will never go away and like you’ll never see the light of happiness. Other times, you can see it coming. It can leave us with memory problems, forgetfulness, not having energy to do anything, eating changes, procrastination issues. I provide a safe place for people to talk about their feelings, thoughts and behavior. I also draw from many different techniques to help people get relief from depression, including somatic experiencing, mindfulness, expressive therapies, movement, and others, and lead more fulfilling lives.