Depression Counseling in Crystal Lake, IL.

You may have found that pushing through hard days just isn't working anymore. Maybe it is hard to get out of bed or experience joy as you once did . We use a grace based approach to find positive and healthy solutions to manage your overwhelming feelings so that you can find your energy and purpose. We will look at your life holistically to determine if there are health problems or biochemical reasons for your depression. We want you to be free of shame so you can develop a healthy sense of self worth, competence so you can experience joy and hope!

Isolation feeds depression and then also becomes a breeding ground for negative thought patterns. In session, we challenge those thought processes and take baby steps towards leaving isolation, hopelessness, and helplessness. As your therapist, we do not want you to be alone; we will work to develop skills and techniques that benefit you and that challenge the fog that you may feel that you are stuck in. These skills and techniques are practiced in session and often suggested that it be continued to be practiced outside of session. Then, we regroup, process, and re-strategize as needed.

From mild to severe, the levels of sadness or depression that may color your world can be oppressive. We can help you understand the complicated nature of your own sadness or depression, including both the bio-chemical aspects as well as the emotional impact. Through this understanding, we develop a plan with you to access your strengths again, and see the world differently.

Depression is an energy disorder, a thief of enjoyment, accomplishment, connection with others, and self-care. It comes in many forms and facades. You can feel helpless not being able to change your feelings. Depression can be scary and cannot be reasoned away. I can help you identify, understand and regulate difficult emotions, and find a workable plan to address how difficult it can be.

In my psychotherapy practice, I support patients with chronic, mild, and severe depression by creating a compassionate and non-judgmental space. I use an integrative approach, combining cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and other evidence-based techniques to address negative thought patterns and behaviors. My goal is to help patients develop coping strategies, build resilience, and find a renewed sense of purpose and hope, ultimately improving their overall well-being and quality of life.