Depression Counseling in Santa Rosa, CA.

Episodes of depression can sneak up on us and leave as quickly as they come or sit heavy like a boulder on our shoulders and a grey cloud over our heads. Therapy can ease the stress of the depression, lighten the load, and hopefully an umbrella between you and the dark cloud. Sometimes we feel worse before we get better but if you are looking to find a therapist then it sounds like you are closer to feeling better than you think.

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.

Depression or sadness is a basic an universal feeling that has many causes. Some people are depressed due to stressful, difficult situations or relationships, feeling overwhelmed and unable to cope leading to a depressive shut down. Other times depression is a reaction to being stuck in ones life, not seeing a clear path or way to move forward. Sometimes depression stems from childhood abuse or neglect, often producing feelings of being defeated in life with low self esteem. All too often people seek a quick fix for depression using antidepressant drugs, which only mask the true nature of the problem. I aim to help you get to the true cause of your depression, teaching life skills.

For clients experiencing depression, I help them explore both external and internal circumstances that are impacting their mental health and look for relationships in their lives that are impeding the healing process. Then we do relational work together to move out of a place of hopelessness and helplessness into a place of strength and empowerment.

Depression is like a huge weight on you or an inundating black darkness. It robs your world of light and color as it weighs you down, sapping your vital energy. Medication can sometimes help, but it does to provide the whole answer because it does not touch the roots of depression, which dare hidden in your emotions. Depression is a natural response to unintegrated emotional pain. This is where I can help. I am direct, yet gentle, warm and respectful. As we work together the process unfolds. My gift is in helping you to have new emotional experiences which move you through the painful feelings hidden under your depression and back into a vital engagement with your life.

Working with the experience of depression is much more than changing our thoughts to change our behavior. Our brains are wired to notice the negative; it's part of our survival. I support my clients in expanding what they notice, and help them discover what works for them by creating a tool kit through experiential relational interventions in session. When I see children, I utilize play therapy as the modality, including Child Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and Prescriptive Play Therapy. When working with adolescents and adults, I utilize expressive arts, DBT, CBT and Narrative Therapy.

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 struggling with sadness, loss of motivation, low energy, feeling down, hopelessness or helplessness? Life these days are not easy and can bring on depression and loneliness. I want to be a support to you and help you through this part of your life. I will help you find hope and identify coping skills to manage your symptoms. It would be my pleasure to walk by your side and find a new path of hopefulness!

My approach with treating depression is to assess for negative thought patterns as well as unresolved grief or trauma. Once I determine the source, I have a Holistic approach for depression that involves a program of self care and inner work. I offer somatic techniques such as breath work, guided visualizations, EFT (the tapping technique that releases anxiety or trauma). I also teach cutting edge Law of Attraction techniques that help you stay out of depression and build up your self esteem as well as create more love, happiness, and financial abundance in your life.

Depression is a big, blanket term that means something unique for each person. I will help you look at exactly how you're getting stuck. We will explore the thoughts, fears, trauma, relational issues, and challenges that could be contributing to your depression. I believe that feeling connected and being seen are the foundation of helping you get well.