Depression Counseling in Live Oak, CA.

Depression is usually about the past. Such as, things that have happened to you, losses you have had, things that have been said to you or by you. Bad memories get us down yet we do not have to stay in that place of sadness. Also, depression has no energy so it is difficult to do the things we need to do in order to feel better. Take the first step and make an appointment. Each step leads to another step. Depression is very treatable.

When struggling with depressed moods, everything feels heavy and you lack a sense of meaning and purpose. Even the most simple tasks can feel impossible. If you find yourself turning to alcohol, substances, or other addictive behaviours to cope with depressed moods, there is a way out. I help clients with addictions overcome the depressed moods causing them to turn to substances or addictive behaviours to cope. Everyone is different, so I work with you to develop a plan that fits your unique situation. If you are unsure where to start, send me a message. If I'm not the right fit, I can connect you to resources that will allow you to start getting help today, without having to wait.

First, it's important to me to understand what my clients mean by "depression" because how one client experiences depression can be very different than another client. This is necessary so I can customize the strategies I use for each specific client based on their unique experience of depression. Ultimately, my clients can expect to discover real-world steps they can take to feel not just "less depressed" but better about their life - and more positive and hopeful.

I work with a depressed nervous system by working with the body. Often we struggle to sleep, eat, or accomplish relatively simple tasks. Our bodies are stuck with the brake on. When our body thinks it is futile, out mind follows quickly thereafter and we begin to tell ourselves how pointless things are and how worthless we are. I work with the whole body to re-regulate the body to enable you to get back to a whole integrated self.

Depression is more than having the blues. When you have depression, you may feel like getting up in the morning, brushing your teeth, or getting dressed all feel like too much. Sometimes life even feels so hard that killing yourself seems like a reasonable solution. Though medication may help, it is often not the whole story. Depression often masks other emotions that have been buried, sometimes from childhood, sometimes because a person was taught that only "positive" emotions were acceptable. Learn to uncover what is causing your depression and regain your aliveness so that you can once again, or perhaps for the first time, feel that you are living a full and productive life.

Are you currently at a loss, hopeless, getting little to no satisfaction from your work, your relationships? I want to hear your story. I provide a safe and confidential space where you will be heard, and where you can start to move forwards: towards a life that is more in tune with what you want, towards more satisfying relationships. I want to reach out: my door is open for you, and I am here to help.

Depression can be debilitating and lonely. I understand the complexities of depression and have found that my psychodynamic, psychoanalytically-minded technique is very successful in treating depression. I have found psychotherapy to be very effective in helping individuals find a way to overcome their struggles and reclaim energy and purpose in their lives.

Are you feeling sad? Hopeless? Worthless? Are you struggling to find motivation? How about the energy needed to connect with friends? Or are you feeling isolated? All of these (and more) are very common symptoms of depression. As your therapist, I will use CBT therapy to improve your quality of life. I love using CBT for depression because it makes common sense. We learn to notice those negative thoughts. Then we learn together which thoughts are hurting you and causing you to feel emotional pain. Lastly, we work together to change and replace those thoughts with something better. It's not a magical cure, but this is a long-standing and proven technique for depression and I find it helpful!