Depression is extremely common, debilitating and when left untreated, can lead to suicidal urges.

Depression is caused by a mix of environmental, psychological, relational, genetic and political factors. It’s not your fault and it’s definitely not all in your head.

Signs you may be struggling with depression:

• Consistently low mood
• Feelings of fatigue
• Guilt
• Loneliness
• Emptiness
• Loss of pleasure
• Hopelessness

Psychotherapy for depression involves various components tailored to the your specific needs and the therapist’s approach. Here are some common elements we use to treat depression:

Assessment: We collaborate with you to assess the severity and impact of your depression, explore contributing factors, and set small goals to begin improving your mood.

Relational Safety: Having a trusting and supportive relationship is crucial for mood improvement, shame reduction and developing hope for the future. This alliance creates a safe space for open communication, exploration of emotions, and fosters self compassion–shame’s biggest antidote.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): may be used to help you identify and challenge negative thought patterns associated with depression. We help you reframe negative thoughts, develop more balanced perspectives, and cultivate more compassionate thinking.

Behavioral activation: This technique focuses on increasing engagement in pleasurable and meaningful activities. We help you identify activities you enjoy, set achievable goals, and gradually increase your participation in those activities. This can help counteract the decreased motivation and pleasure often experienced with depression.

Emotion focused techniques: therapy for depression often involves exploring and managing emotions underlying the depression. Getting to the root of the emotions fueling depression is key to lasting healing. Common emotions involve grief, shame and sadness. It is our belief that underneath these emotions are valid, unmet needs that deserve tenderness and care.

Building community and interpersonal skills: Addressing relationship difficulties and enhancing social support are essential in treating depression. The therapeutic relationship assists in improving communication skills, setting boundaries, and building or strengthening supportive relationships.

Internal Family Systems Therapy: we help you explore what the depressed parts of you might be protecting you from, learn about their story and begin tending to them with compassion instead of critical self judgement that only fuels depression. In this process we also discover your authentic Self apart from the depressed parts of you.

Ketamine assisted therapy: Ketamine therapy is offered at our practice for medically approved individuals and is a rapid acting antidepressant.

Oftentimes, medication support from a psychiatrist in conjunction with different therapeutic techniques is needed to manage long term depressive symptoms. There is no shame in needing help and we are here to walk you through it.