Depression Counseling in Newington, VA.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Are you experiencing sadness and isolation? Do you feel like it is difficult to get out of the home or complete tasks on a daily basis? Do you feel hopeless or worthless from time to time? Life can get better with therapy. I would love to help you work on ways to enhance your mood and develop a more joyful lifestyle. Please consider therapy - - you are worthy of happiness. Give me a call for a free consult to discuss your concerns. Make a good day - - be well. 240.292.6127

Simply finding the energy to search out options for a therapist shows your desire to get better. And that is something to hold on to as tightly as you can. In this day and age where we seem to only communicate through text messages and phone apps it becomes more difficult to allow ourselves to feel as well as heal. Working together we can process the challenges that are holding you down as well as work towards goals that can get you past these hurdles.

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.

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.

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 can vary from a vague sense of unhappiness and disquiet to crippling experiences of hopelessness that feel as though they will swallow you completely. Regardless of how your depression is manifesting, you cannot work through it alone. I would be honored to help you grow and heal such that you experience hope, joy and peace again (or perhaps for the first time). You do not have to be stuck in the darkness of depression--our brains are built with the ability to heal, and I would love to help you experience that.

In my work with men and women with compulsive and out-of-control sexual behaviors, I have found that many of my clients have untreated or under-treated depression. Many individuals learn at an early age that sexuality can soothe uncomfortable feelings, such as depression. Over time, these behaviors can become habitual and may escalate in intensity and risk. One of themes important goals of treatment is to learn healthy ways to cope with depression.

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 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.