Effective Treatment for Depression

Sadness and depressive disorders
‍Sadness is a normal human emotion and serves a helpful purpose, like communicating to people our need for support. However, if the emotion persists to the point where it interferes with life or you become really bothered by its persistence, then treatment may be helpful.

Major depression is accompanied by depressed mood or an inability to feel pleasure from previously enjoyed activities. Some experience depression as a "blah" mood, an absence of emotion, or increased irritability and anger. Others may experience a persistently reduced mood lasting across a few years or more and is experienced as a change from their prior overall mood. Other symptoms include concentration difficulties or difficulties in making decisions, unintentional weight or appetite change, thoughts of death or suicide, and sleep troubles.

Don't wait to seek treatment until it gets to be a bigger issue. It's often easier to alter the course of symptoms earlier rather than later. By seeking the guidance of a professional, you can expedite the recovery process to be much quicker than if you were to try to do it alone. Treatment can help to move your world away from grey and help bring color back into your life. ‍

How does therapy help in the treatment of depression?

‍Research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most effective treatment for depression. This consists of examining the role that thoughts and behaviors have on your feelings. It is an active, present-focused, and goal-oriented treatment. Little by little, we work on things to make them feel less overwhelming.  

Therapy is active in that it takes work and includes regular skills practice outside of session. By experiencing temporary discomfort, clients often find that tasks begin to get easier and less overwhelming with time. By taking small, manageable steps, you can build the skills to more effectively manage the hurdles you are facing. Gradually, we can work towards a more meaningful, purpose-filled life led by what is most important to you.

Using your treatment goals to set a personalized treatment plan

I want you to feel seen, heard, and understood. This is why I start with a thorough diagnostic evaluation of your symptoms to understand how to help you feel better before diving into treatment. Each treatment plan is personalized to the underlying mechanisms that are maintaining the depression.

Just like your doctor tracks your blood pressure and heart rate, I implement measurement-based care or routine outcome monitoring of symptoms to make sure that we're making progress towards your goals and that the treatment we're doing is helpful. Goals are informed by your values and what is important to you.