Depression Counseling in Alderwood Manor, WA.

You did not choose depression, and it is not something that can simply be “shaken off.” Depression is real, life-altering, and can convince you that happiness or peace will never return. Yet depression does not define you. Together, we can acknowledge its weight while also challenging the painful story it tells. My role is to walk with you through the heaviness, to hold space for the difficulty, and to help you discover that hope and healing are possible. You do not have to face this alone.

We all feel down sometimes. But what about when the blues just don't go away? Or what about when you feel so overwhelmed that you just feel paralyzed? Or when you have lost a sense of hope about yourself or the future...when nothing is fun anymore, and you feel down more days than not? That's a time to get some help to find your way out of the depths of despair. Our counselors at Mill Creek Family Services walk together with you through that darkness to a growing light on the other side of depression. With care and compassion, we assist you with proven strategies that help you start feeling better and living life again.

Take charge of your depression. I can help you learn tools to lessen depression and start feeling better. Our thoughts, our current lifestyle, friends or lack of, all contribute to how we feel. Past failures tend to repeat themselves until they are understood. When getting motivated, completing tasks, or social relationships are a struggle the stress of this can lead to depression. Don't put up with feeling other people have more enjoyment in life than you do. Research is showing us that there are ways we can feel better without using medication.

Depression comes in many shapes. Maybe this is new for you or maybe it's felt like this for a long time. Either way, depression is very treatable. You don't have to always feel like this. In as few as a handful of sessions you can start getting back to the person you remember being. Long lasting effective change can really be yours. I have helped many people and I think I can help you.

Everone experiences pain, struggle and stress in life and you may be feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. There are many different causes and different symptoms of depression.YOU ARE NOT DEFINED BY YOUR DEPRESSION: You are more than your mood. We can work on looking at your depression, understanding it, creating some skills to help you become more resilient, look at your thinking, your lifestyle patterns and your relationships. Remember you can learn how to deal with depression! The challege of depression can be an opportunity for personal growth. Let's take action and you'll feel better!

Feeling depressed, insomnia, lacking motivations, problems with concentration, or bad self-image are all core symptoms of “sadness.” The best action for the family with a member in depression is to ask for help. Depression is not a one-person issue, it needs the entire family’s support and sometimes the family can slowly wane in joyfulness. I am here provide tips for the parents on how to be a solid support around your child with depression, and for the child to deal with depressed mood. Together we rebuild a strong and healthy point of view to enjoy the precious life again.

Not only does depression affect our mental well being, it also affects and can be exacerbated or even caused by our physical body as well. Did you know that depression can be worsened or even caused by vitamin deficiencies in the body? The mind-body connection is the reason I am a proponent of the functional medicine model, which uses simple genetic testing to determine if your body is lacking important natural nutrients for overall health. When your body's in proper balance that overwhelming sadness won't be quite so insurmountable. I will not only work with you to heal your emotional wounds but I will also help you to find the right balance for your physical body as well.

The treatment of depression begins initially with the addressing the depression symptoms that are disrupting your life. Without attention to these symptoms first, it is difficult for individuals to begin to examine the reasons behind the depression without provoking more of it. Once these symptoms are looked into, we will start to examine the life situations you are in and the relationships, stories, family roles, events and unprocessed emotion that may be the root of the depression. With some time, consistency, openness and commitment to the process, individuals will find their symptoms eased and the enjoyment of every day returned.

Depression is a devastating disease and can significantly impact everything in your life. If you suspect you or someone you know is depressed but aren't sure, contact me for a brief assessment. I can help you understand more about your struggles and how you might begin to address and overcome this terrible disease in a matter of minutes. I look forward to helping you move beyond the overwhelming and hopeless feelings of depression and into a place of peace and contentment.

There is a way to move beyond depression and make sense of suffering. We will work together to help you develop a new and different relationship with your painful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can have greater life satisfaction. Struggling with your feelings pulls you away from the life experiences you want. By learning ways to let go of the painful struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings, you are free to connect with what is meaningful to you. I want to help you become more grounded in the present moment, gain clarity on what really matters to you, and commit to living a full, satisfying life.

Depression is one of the most common problems bringing individuals into therapy. I my therapy practice, I view depression as an emotional signal that some significant need is not being met in a person's life. Though compassionate and curious reflection, you will be guided to understand what your unique depressive signals are telling you about what you need and will be supported in adapting new ways to meet those needs that leave you feeling better and more resilient towards depression in the future.

Depression hits all of us at some level at some time in our lives. At a low level, we may feel blah, or describe it as the blues. At a more extreme level, depression can be downright debilitating, causing us to lose our appetites or overeat, to gain weight or lose weight. If depression has taken a hold of you to the extent that you are sleeping all the time or conversely, losing sleep, you will want to see your physician and find out if anti-depressants are in order for you. Even if your depression is not to the point of your being unable to get out of bed in the morning, don't delay in getting help. Call me at 425 652-1413 for an appointment.

Depression can be an endless weight that interferes with a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection in your life. Together, you and your therapist will explore what is contributing to your depression (cognitively, behaviorally, biologically, and situationally), brainstorm manageable solutions, build skills to implement those solutions, and create plans that support lasting change.