Depression Counseling in Lincolnia, VA.

Robyn E. Brickel, M.A., LMFT, LLC treats depression and all mood disorders in her practice. By applying complementary therapy approaches and techniques, we will unearth long-standing behavior patterns or negative perceptions that may be holding you back from experiencing a more fulfilling and meaningful life. Robyn provides a supportive environment, as well as a safe place in the clients' life to facilitate changes.

A lot of people tend to blame themselves for having depression when they do not get better. They especially feel bad when they do not get enough support from their family members. When you have depression, you can’t just suck it up or ignore it. It’s not that simple. When you have clinical depression, you lose the ability to feel happy. But, through the therapy treatment, you will be able to regain your happiness back!

Through counseling for depression, you can learn to identify and change feelings that have become entrenched in thought patterns and behaviors. Even though depression may feel like a dead end street, there is always a way out and up. Through therapy, I will assist you in making optimal choices to treat your depression. You will learn how to live your life to the fullest.

Depression frequently comes from feeling overwhelmed by the issues life presents to you--sometimes work, sometimes family, sometimes both. The stresses lead to negative thoughts which become hard to handle. In therapy we work to turn those negative thoughts into positive statements, and find the strategies to work through, or around, the problems which gave rise to the depression.

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.

You did not choose to be depressed and it’s not something most people can simply “shake off.” Depression is real. It’s life altering and can trick you in to believing that you can never be happy again. I am here to help. I would be honored to walk with you as we challenge the narrative of your depression while acknowledging how incredibly hard and real it is. You are not alone, and hope can be the beginning to your own healing.

Depression affects and is affected by your actions, thoughts, and emotions. We will stop this vicious cycle by starting to acknowledge the factors that contribute to your depression and develop strategies that will provide relief. As you gain ground against your depression, we will target more complicated problems and develop more comprehensive strategies. You will start with simple behavioral changes. You will follow with changes in how you think of yourself, others, and the problems you face. You will continue with changes in how you strategize and solve problems. Finally, you will develop methods to maintain these changes and continue to accomplish your goals with confidence and hope.

Depression is a very general term and to define it without clarity is a not a good thing. Like everything, we have to find the trigger points; when and how it generates the "sliding down the hill", so to speak. As commonly noted, depression is believing a string of lies, mixed in with some reality and truth. These must be separated for us to resolve each experience. WOW, I see so many lives changed, as I just listen and see what is going on.

Are you feeling bad about yourself, feeling isolated, or finding that you just don’t enjoy the things you used to? Sometimes when we feel stuck, the situation can seem hopeless. But no matter what you’re facing, you can feel better. Our time together will help you recognize your worth as an individual and appreciate the things that make you uniquely you. Together, we will use evidence-based techniques to help you cope with challenges, overcome negative thoughts about yourself, and start enjoying life again.

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.

There are many varieties of depression, from the nearly universal experience of “blues” to soul-crushing, “can’t lift my head out of bed” depression. We help sort out the source of depression, which can include being emotionally “underfed”, to un-grieved losses, trauma experiences, biological disorders, family emotional inheritance, and a lack of connection with your inner source of guidance. After exploring the experience of depression, and the context of a client’s life, we collaboratively shape a plan of treatment, and carefully monitor progress. We coordinate with other care providers, such as physicians.

Whether caused by a specific event, a series of events, or no discernible reason, depression can cause enormous suffering and negatively impact lives. My focus begins with connecting with each client, understanding their particular story and offering guidance and encouragement while fashioning tools to fight the hopelessness, helplessness, and loss of joy that come with depression. These "tools" often involve expanded problem solving and learning new ways of thinking about problems . I also help clients gain control over depression by understanding its origins and determining what must change to feel better now and in the future.

What if you knew that your brain has a built-in way to stop depression from dragging you down? Depression is a natural mind-state that every human knows, but sometimes depression locks onto us and won't let go. If this is happening to you, we can show you how to level the playing field in your favor, without medication. Not all counseling approaches tap into recent neurological research that shows that you can learn to separate from depressed parts of your mind and build new channels within you that are not clogged with depression static. Visit our detailed website or call to learn more about this modern approach to transform your depression and start living the life you've been missing!

“The Impossible Task”…if you’ve ever struggled with depression you get it. Something that ought to be so easy; sending that email, taking a shower, making the kids lunch, or walking the dog feels as if it’s insurmountable. Well-meaning friends and family aren’t very helpful when they suggest things like, “Just get dressed and exercise. It’ll make you feel better.” I get it. Calling a therapist might be the hardest thing you ever do. If you can take this one step, we’ll walk the rest of the way together.

When you experience a severely depressed mood and decreased activity level for an extended period of time, your life really changes. Hope disappears, joy drains from life, and you may feel isolated, alone, and stuck. Your efforts may fall behind in school or at work, and your relationships may feel strained. But change is possible! Although depression controls your current experience, it does not define who you most truly are. Counseling can help you break the chains of depression, and create a new experience which includes hope and a meaningful connection to life. To determine if we can work together, please contact me to schedule a FREE 15-minute phone consultation.

Depression can be an overwhelming hole of inertia. You know the things that you should be doing, you just can't find a way to summon up the energy. We use a combination of therapy, behavior modification, support, and sometimes medication to help you feel better. Therapy is more than talking. We will help you understand why you are feeling the way you are and develop a realistic plan to get your life back in balance.

We all experience ups and downs in life. This is normal and pat of living life. However, depression is characterized by feelings that are much more intense, let longer, and interfere more intensely with day-to-day functioning and interaction with other people. It is a serious condition that can impact every aspect of your life. It can affect your family relationships, work relationship, and impact negatively on your sense of self worth. Depression is very treatable. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is our primary approach to treating depression and it has been proven to be effective for most forms of depression and even to prevent the occurrence of future depressive episodes.

Everyone experiences sadness, but depression is a heavier and more stagnant emotion that can isolate a person from life. Talk therapy is often not enough, and I use imagery, brainspotting and biofield tuning to help move the heaviness out of the body. There are ogifts in depression, and an essential part of the work is to discover those gifts.

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.

Embark on a transformative journey towards healing and liberation from depression. As a mindfulness-based therapist, I offer a unique approach that combines the power of mindfulness and experiential therapy. Together, we will delve into the present moment, cultivating awareness and acceptance of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Through this deep connection with the present, we will explore the underlying patterns that contribute to your depression and work towards releasing them. With compassion and gentle guidance, I will support you in reconnecting with your authentic self and finding new meaning and vitality in life. Take the courageous step towards a brighter future today.

Depression is a signal that your life is not in balance; it is also an opportunity and call to action for a better life. I provide a holistic and educational approach to help you: • Examine triggers of depression; • Identify and transform thoughts, behaviors and feeling tendencies that lead to depression; • Promote physical wellness; • Learn skills to resolve conflicts and improve relationships; • Adapt mindfulness skills for calmness, acceptance and compassion; • Enhance the body-mind connection; • Define values, create a life-vision plan, and pursue a life that is worth living. My approach is based upon a belief in everyone's lovability and personal worth.

Depression leaves you feeling disconnected, sad, and/or worthless. It robs your life of vitality and a sense of purpose. But you do not have to be depressed alone! Therapy is very effective in reducing the symptoms of depression, and it can also not just return you to a pre-depression "normal" but help you to reach a new and different, improved place. Psychoanalytic therapy has been shown to not just reduce symptoms, but to aid you in developing a more confident approach to your life that leaves you feeling like you're living a robust life.

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.

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.