Depression Counseling in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Whether you are in the depths of depression or mildly depressed, I will tune into the underlying causes, help you understand how these are having an impact on you, make a caring connection with you, and you will most likely feel hope. Every person's needs are different, and I therefore work differently with each person. Some people will benefit from medication, but I very rarely insist on that route. I help some by doing walking therapy--get moving, talk while walking. I have helped others get into meditation. I make myself available, and some meet more than once a week, which gives us the opportunity to deepen our work. Being understood and feeling safe here will benefit you.

Sometimes depression is based in chemical imbalances in our brains. Sometimes depression is caused by the situations in our lives. Learning how to cope with depression is a skill that can be learned and practiced. The pain of depression is often disabling. However, the beliefs we have and the choices we make today can make the difference tomorrow. Medication is not always necessary and is never enough for healing for the pain of depression. I will offer support and techniques to guide you through those dark and depressed times. Life can be filled with joy, hope and serenity. Learn how positive living and positive thinking breaks through the darkness of depression.

Children and adolescents who act out due to symptoms of AD/HD, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, and School Underachievement constantly receive negative feedback from parents, teachers, and peers. This results in underlying feelings of helplessness and hopelessness leading to depression. I motivate such children to develop self-control which leads to improved academic and social skills. This leads to social acceptance and academic achievement and self-esteem rises. Helplessness and hopelessness dissipate and depression and anxiety lessen.

Depression is often controlled by our unconscious feelings, thoughts, memories, and dreams. Drawing on Positive Psychology and other therapeutic models, I help clients to understand how we relive early experiences unconsciously, and I coach them on behavioral techniques they can use to overcome the vicious cycle of negativity and change their present. These include a blend of empirically based techniques clients can use at work or at home to overcome depression, end self-sabotage, and get unstuck.

When things have been going badly, our brains might dwell on past regrets or resentments. Depression might be telling us that we can't do anything but lie in bed. When really, what we need in order to feel better is to get moving and connect with other people. Connecting with a therapist is a great way to kickstart a bit of motivation and get yourself back on track.