Depression Counseling in Golden Gate, FL.

“Some days, 24 hours is too much to stay put in, so I take the day hour by hour, moment by moment.” Being happy and excited 525,600 minutes a year would be against nature. We all have our highs and lows. Psychotherapy means you are not alone during the lows - you have a guide who will get you through them. Psychotherapy helps you learn how to recognize symptoms of coming or lasting depression or dysthymia and understand it. You will learn to connect with your mind and body, to become an expert on your low mood. You will learn how to establish a structured plan of what to do when you have your low days, you will learn tailored coping skills, and experience little victories minute by minute.

Depression can be so difficult to manage and come out of nowhere. When we work together, we will gently learn the core of the distress that you are experiencing. As we learn your life story, we may find that some of the distress is rooted in early childhood trauma and attachment wounding. We will embrace all parts of yourself and learn about the challenging messages you may have grown up with that manifested into the distress you feel today. Depression can be a messenger, an alarm telling you that it is time to heal experiences from earlier in life. In our work together, we'll use EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy and Expressive Arts to help you become your best self.

We help our client to overcome or manage depression symptoms through holding safe space for them to work through difficult emotions and experiences in a supportive environment. Depression can be caused by many different factors and can be temporary or chronic. Processing traumatic experiences and gaining perspective into what is contributing to your symptoms can shed light on how to lessen the severity and have more good days than bad. We will utilize therapy techniques tailored to your specific needs to assist you in making progress.

You did not choose to be depressed and it’s not something most people can simply “shake off.” Depression is real. It’s life altering and can trick you in to believing that you can never be happy again. I am here to help. I would be honored to walk with you as we challenge the narrative of your depression while acknowledging how incredibly hard and real it is. You are not alone, and hope can be the beginning to your own healing.

Depression is often defined as a negative view of self, other and even the world turned inward. We will work to change your negative perceptions, attributions and quiet your inner critic. You will learn to recognize strengths in yourself and others as tools to send depression packing. You will learn positive ways to cope with stressors and soothe your mind.

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.

If you’re feeling down, are lacking motivation, or lacking motivation, you’re not alone. The demands of work and home life can take a toll on any man. Not many understand the unique pressures you face, and this can be frustrating, lonely, and isolating. Whether you feel like things are falling apart, or you’re still hiding it pretty well, there is hope. I often use EMDR therapy and a faith-based perspective to help men uncover and heal the source of their issues, and discover their peace, hope, and motivation in life. One of the insidious parts of depression is that while you’re in the fog, it’s hard to be objective. I will help you walk through this fog until we get to the other side.

If you’re experiencing sadness, hopelessness, or lack of motivation, I understand that it’s not as easy as “getting over it.” And while you might feel stuck, there is hope. Not just wishful thinking, but a structured process to help you break free and start really living life again. My passion is helping stressed out, burned out, and discouraged men regain their strength. At Lion Counseling, our mission is to help you escape the cages that hold you back and become the lion God created you to be. If you’re ready to take the first step, I’d be honored to work with you.