Do you feel lost or unsure of what to do next in your life?
If you’re in your 20s or 30s…
- Are you feeling depressed and down because your life seems caught in a constant state of uncertainty and change?
- Do you feel disconnected from family members and friends and don’t really understand why?
- Have you started burying yourself in work in an attempt to avoid feeling down?
- Are you feeling alone in your relationship? Maybe you’re unsure of how to reconnect with your partner, or whether you truly want to.
- Are you a new mother struggling with postpartum depression?
- Even though most things in your life seem to be going well, do you feel defeated, sad, or increasingly doubtful that true happiness is within reach?
If you’re in your 40s or 50s…
- Are you feeling alone and discouraged in your marriage or relationship?
- Do you wonder how you and your partner have drifted so far apart, and you have no idea how to bridge the emotional distance between you and your partner?
- Or, are you single and feel like you’ve lost hope of finding a connection with someone you could share your life with?
- Are finances or career challenges weighing you down?
- Do you feel disappointed that your life isn’t where you expected it to be?
Maybe you’re facing signs of aging and depression…
- Are you struggling to come to terms with all that comes with getting older? Are health issues getting in your way of living?
- Do you feel like you’ve lost control over your life now that you’re older?
- Have you begun to shut down and avoid difficult questions rather than think about what it means to get older?
- Do you feel like you’ve lost touch with yourself and question what your life purpose is?
- Do you find retirement to be disorienting or not what you expected?
Regardless of your age and particular experience, do you feel hopeless in dealing with your depression? Do you wish you could just feel a sense of joy, or that you didn’t have to try so hard anymore?
Many People Struggle With Depression
It can be unbelievably difficult to balance the struggles that life brings and still keep a smile on your face. Depression takes a toll on your mind, body, and spirit. This struggle, however, is much more common than many people realize. In fact, over 16 million U.S. adults struggled with major depression during 2015—so even more when you consider milder forms of clinical depression. If you’re someone who struggles with any form of depression, you might live pretending that everything is “fine” every single day, yet inside you feel a sense of hopelessness and pain that you’re the only one going through this. You might constantly compare yourself to others, thinking that everyone except you is doing okay.
As frustrating as it might sound, occasionally feeling discouraged and overwhelmed is normal, especially as we enter a new life stage or are navigating a period of transition. When these feelings last more than two weeks, however, and are impacting work, school, relationships, or self-care, it is time to seek professional help.
To make matters more complicated, many people who suffer from depression also struggle with anxiety. You may feel like you’re always worried about something, and perhaps you can’t get your mind or body to calm down, even just for a minute. If you feel like you may relate more to signs of anxiety than to signs of depression, click here to learn more about how I can help.
Luckily, with help and support, it is possible to be treated for depression and move past it. You are not alone—together, we can help you find the motivation, strength, healing, and sense of purpose you need to start living your life again.
Take The First Step Towards Positive Change With Depression Treatment
No matter how dark things may feel right now, as we work together, I can help you begin to see light again. It can be incredibly reassuring to know that someone understands what you’re feeling and to have someone who is here to really listen to you. That is exactly what I aim to do in sessions, especially as you begin therapy with me. In each session, I give you more than my undivided attention and focus—I seek to understand precisely what you’re going through now and what you’ve already been through. Then, I can help you find relief.
I’m here to help you realize that you are not alone. I help you learn to treat yourself with kindness and compassion. I will show you how the mind can get in our way by feeding us negative and painful thoughts, making it even more difficult to move forward—but they don’t have to get in the way of the life you want to have. In depression treatment sessions, I offer a safe and compassionate environment, free from judgment. I want you to feel like you can express your true self in my office, no matter what pain comes with you. As we explore your honest feelings, I’ll help you discover what you most want and need in your life right now. Then, we will work together to see what is working and what you can begin to do differently to have the life and relationships you are seeking. I draw from mindfulness and other approaches proven effective through research. Rather than simply helping the pain stop, I help you take steps forward in the areas of your life most important to you.
Depression is highly treatable, and it can be so painful to live with. Throughout my 20 years of experience, I have seen the life changing results that therapy can bring. No matter the cause of your depression or how long you’ve been dealing with it, relief is possible. With my help, you can begin the healing journey to a more joy-filled life.
You may have some questions or concerns about therapy…
I should be able to get through this pain on my own…right?
Remember, feeling better is never about just trying harder. One of the biggest myths that people tell themselves is that if they just worked harder to gain happiness, they’d stop feeling depressed. But that’s just simply not the case—if it were about trying harder, you’d likely be in a much different place. It’s important to remember that you have been doing your very best so far, and now is the time to discover why what you’ve been doing hasn’t worked so you don’t have to suffer alone anymore.
Depression treatment is about discovering what you can change and control in your life, and learning how to take action. If you feel pressure to be at your best 100 percent of the time, you may get discouraged and avoid change. Being so hard on yourself can even worsen feelings of depression. In sessions, I can help you make those internal shifts that will help you tackle situations with greater self-compassion, and I can support you on your journey to living a happier and more meaningful life.
I have so many things to be happy about. Why am I so depressed?
Many people find themselves with successful careers or with the partner, home, or family they dreamed of, yet for some reason they are still not happy. When you take a moment to reflect on your life, it’s common to feel as though you are living for other people, working hard to please everyone except yourself. Even though you may have had many successes, you may also be struggling to understand why there’s still a sense of emptiness. Signs of depression can pop up unexpectedly, even when you feel like everything seems to be going alright. If you are noticing two or more of these signs, it is important to seek help right away so you can get the proper treatment and feel better.
Depression can be caused by a variety of factors, including stressful life events, grief over loss of a relationship or a loved one, inherited traits, hormones, medications, or some combination of these. One important step to take may be to see your family doctor to rule out any biological causes for your depression. I am happy to coordinate with your doctor if he/she has suggested you might benefit from counseling.
It is most important to listen to what you’re feeling. Then, see a professional like myself to discover what is needed to help you have the life and relationships you were made for.
Is there something wrong with me for going to therapy for depression?
This is a very common myth, unfortunately. Taking the crucial step of reaching for help actually shows strength—not weakness. Recognizing that you may be struggling with depression and choosing to go to therapy means that you are choosing to put you first. You are important enough to be happy, and you are certainly not alone.
I understand that the hardest part is that first call or even that first appointment. I am here for you when you choose to reach out and take that first step, and I’ll support you through the pain and the stress of getting started so that you can begin living a life of deep satisfaction and vitality.