Seeking Out Depression Therapy?

• Are you lacking motivation?
• Feeling stuck?
• Procrastinating more?
• Beating yourself up?
• Does getting out of bed in the morning feeling pointless?
• Is it taking you longer than usual to get over a relationship breakup or death of a loved one?

You’re struggling. Maybe life seems overwhelming and moving forward feels impossible. Maybe you’re just going through the motions- getting up, going to work, going home. Inside, you may feel exhausted, disconnected, or numb, wondering when things will start to feel different. And maybe you’re even being hard on yourself for having a hard time. Depression is tough and importantly, I get it.

Above all, depression is often a serious condition that one cannot just snap out of. It’s more than just feeling sad. It can consume your whole body and being. Depression can affect relationships, families, careers, and more. It is a debilitating mental health condition and needs to be taken seriously.

Depression Therapy In Ventura Can Help.

Depression Symptoms

Hopelessness

Self-hate

Procrastination

Tearfulness

Emptiness

Sleep Disturbances

Loss of interest in normal activities

Reduced appetite

Increased cravings for food

Weight gain/Weight loss

Irritability

Fatigue

Feeling foggy

Not wanting to leave the house

Thoughts of death

Mood swings

Therapy for depression can support you.

Depression Is Common

In the United States 17.3 million adults have had at least one depression episode in their life. Depression symptoms can be serious and debilitating. It can range from mild to severe. Worldwide, depression is the leading cause of disability. Women are nearly twice as likely to have depression than men. In addition, depression can also co-occur with other illnesses such as cancer, HIV, Parkinson’s Disease, substance use, and many other illnesses. Depression might take some time to work through, but you don’t have to do it alone. For more info and statistics on depression, read more from the World Health Organization.

Depression is treatable. In the thick of it, it may feel hopeless. But there is hope and getting better is possible.

Therapy For Depression In Ventura

If you’ve landed on this page I commend you for seeking help! Finding the motivation to seek help isn’t always easy. You might come from a family or background that doesn’t support mental health treatment. Importantly, depression is part of the human experience and there is no shame in experiencing it. Additionally, finding the right therapist that you feel comfortable with can also seem overwhelming. When we meet, I of course will do my best to support you.

To begin, whether you are attending therapy in person Ventura or online, I take an in-depth history and assessment. During treatment it’s helpful to explore past history, genetic factors, hormones, relationships, and current life events and stressors. Therapy for depression should be a safe space where you feel understood, respected, and supported as we work together toward relief and healing.

Therapy I Use

My main modality of exploration for depression is Coherence Therapy. At my office in Ventura or online, I aim to explore what unconscious mechanisms are driving the depression. Coherence Therapy is specifically formulated to explore the unconscious mind. Additionally, I use other experiential therapies such as Internal Family Systems, Somatic Experiencing, AEDP, inner child work, and Deep Brain Reorienting. Getting to the root of what’s keeping you depressed can help.

Other therapies for depression that I might use are: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT). These therapies are focused on how our thoughts affect how we feel. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) also has great tools for coping and emotional regulation. Additionally, EMDR can be helpful for traumatic events and negative self-beliefs contributing to the depression. These methods are evidenced based and found to be effective in depression treatment. 

Coping Skills For Depression

There are many coping skills for depression but a very important one is making sure you are doing the basics- eating, sleeping, moving, getting sunlight. Even if you are having a hard day, make sure to get dressed and get out of bed. While this can feel hard at first, pushing yourself will often support you in feeling a little bit better.

Another important coping skill for depression is self compassion. Basically, self compassion is talking to yourself like you’d talk to a good friend- with kindness. The three core components of self compassion are: self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity. Kristin Neff, Ph.D. has a lot of great resources on her website https://self-compassion.org.

Additionally, looking at the depression as a “part” of you and not all of you can help. In depression treatment, understanding the concepts of “parts” can be very supportive and healing. For example, maybe the depression is protecting you somehow, or it’s an old pattern from childhood that is still running the show. For more info on parts work watch THIS.

Overall, while coping skills are important, in depression therapy in Ventura, the goal is not just to cope… but to feel better.

FAQ

How can I attend therapy if getting out of the house is a struggle?

It’s understandable that simple things like getting dressed in the morning can be tough. Getting out of bed might even be a challenge. To start, online therapy can be a good option until you are able to make it in person to the Ventura office. Lets make depression recovery as easy as possible.

Will I need medication?

Taking medication for depression is a personal decision. A full checkup by your doctor is recommended to make sure that nothing else is contributing to your depression symptoms. Occasionally thyroid issues, hormonal issues, or other medical issues can play a role in depression. After, meeting with a psychiatrist (can prescribe antidepressants and mood stabilizers) is a good choice to explore all your options. I am happy to discuss any questions you have about medication. And overall, I will support any decision you decide to make regarding medication for depression.

How long does depression last?

To be clinically diagnosed with depression, you will need to be depressed at least two weeks. Sometimes depression only lasts a few weeks and may be situational. But when untreated, depression can last months or even years. There are many different types of depression such as postpartum, bipolar, seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, dysthymia, and more. For the most part, understanding the type of depression you’re experiencing can help treatment.

My Experience Working With Depression

Throughout my clinical experience,  I have worked with people experiencing short-term and long-term depression. I have worked in intensive outpatient and inpatient settings as a group and individual therapist. I am openminded and always try to tailor my treatment to the individual. One size doesn’t always fit all when it comes to therapy for depression.

 

Reach Out For Help

Depression treatment in Ventura

Please reach out. Dealing with depression is hard enough, and importantly, you don’t have to do it alone. As a Licensed Clinical Social worker, I offer online therapy all over California and in office therapy in Ventura. The office is close to Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Barbara, Camarillo, and Thousand Oaks.  Depression treatment can help you feel better. Contact me to learn about becoming a new client.

National Suicide Hotline: 800-273-8255