Depression Therapist San Diego, CA

Do you often feel sad and like you’ve lost interest or motivation in daily activities?

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Seeing a depression therapist can help you to find joy and satisfaction in your life again.

Do you find yourself feeling sad or experiencing crying spells often? Do you experience feelings of helplessness or hopelessness? Perhaps you have feelings of low worth, or find yourself feeling guilty or shameful about your actions or your life. Maybe you have noticed that your sleep, appetite, and energy levels have changed in a negative way. If you can relate to any of these scenarios, you may be experiencing depression. Ongoing depression can interfere with your relationships, career, hobbies, and overall daily life. It can also lead to decreased self-esteem and possibly even feelings of worthlessness.

What you are experiencing is actually quite common.

Major depression affects approximately 17.3 million American adults in a given year. Even 1.9 million children are diagnosed with depression per year. You are not the problem, it is merely the depression symptoms within you that are causing problems in your life. Depression may coexist with other conditions or disorders such as anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, or health conditions. Depression can manifest in many ways in our lives, and it can have a negative effect on the way that we show up in the world and our overall feelings of self-worth.

Seeing a Depression Therapist Can Help

Treatment for depression can help you find a sense of purpose and joy in your life again. You will learn lasting techniques to identify where the feelings of depression are originating from, as well as how to reduce or eliminate these symptoms. You will no longer spend your days feeling fatigued or weighed down by sadness, shame, or hopelessness.

Some Benefits of Seeing a Depression Therapist Include:

What Does Therapy for Depression Look Like?

A therapist for depression can help you uncover the underlying causes of your depression, learn how to reframe your thoughts in a more positive and realistic way, and help to improve your overall outlook on yourself and your life. In depression therapy, I begin by providing a safe space for you to share all of your current thoughts, concerns, and struggles in a traditional “talk therapy” sort of way. We will identify and set goals by determining how you would like your life to look differently in regards to your current symptoms of depression. Once I have a better understanding of your concerns and goals, I will tailor your treatment and take an individualized approach to help you. I will help you learn lasting coping skills and therapeutic techniques that we can practice together in session and that you will also be able to do on your own in between sessions. I utilize a variety of therapeutic techniques to decrease depression including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Therapy.

Why Book a Depression Therapy Session with Me?

I personally have overcome depressive disorders in my own life, so I can understand firsthand just how difficult it may feel…but I can also tell you that it is possible to recover from chronic depression. I also have years of experience working with clients to successfully overcome depression in a variety of treatment settings including residential treatment centers, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization programs, school settings, community-based mental health care, outpatient therapy clinics, and private practice.

Not only do I have the personal experience of overcoming depression myself and helping clients do the same in a variety of settings, but I also offer additional mindfulness skills to clients that can be very powerful in depression treatment. I am a Registered Yoga Teacher, which allows me to utilize specific mind/body approaches such as meditation, breathing practices, and guided imagery. These techniques have been shown to decrease symptoms of depression and improve overall life satisfaction These evidence-based approaches can help reduce feelings of depression right in that moment. I provide you with the skills and guidance to learn these techniques so you can feel empowered and confident to use them on your own outside of therapy sessions.

You CAN regain your sense of purpose, joy, and satisfaction in life again

Contact me to schedule a free 15 minute phone consultation and see if Depression Therapy in San Diego is right for you!

My Standard Rate is $200 Per Session (50 Minutes)

As an out-of-network provider, I have partnered with Mentaya to help my clients save money on therapy. Use the out of network benefits calculator to see if you qualify for reimbursement for my services. Learn more about my rates and insurance.

You may have some questions about seeing a therapist for depression...

How do I know if I need therapy for my depression?

If you are tired of feeling the way that you do and are ready to feel better, then depression therapy could be a good fit for you. Oftentimes we try to figure things out on our own…but sometimes we don’t know how, and we could use some guidance from a trained professional. And that’s okay! There is absolutely no shame in asking for help. On the contrary, there is actually strength in deciding that you are worth committing to therapy in order to live a happier life. If you are unsure if you may have depression take a free confidential screening and find out.

Is seeing a depression therapist worth the investment?

Therapy for depression is an investment that will take some of your time, as well as a financial commitment. However, it will also take away the feelings of sadness, low self-esteem, fatigue, and whatever other negative symptoms that you have been experiencing due to depression. Working with a depression therapist is often a very effective option when it comes to treatments for depression. Learn more about information on the different treatment options for depression. We all need some help sometimes, and it is worth investing in yourself to get some guidance from a trained professional so that you can find long-lasting relief.

Nobody seems to understand my depression. How can you help?

It may feel like nobody understands your specific situation, and that’s because they don’t! We are all unique individuals, with unique responses to depression and individualized treatment needs. I have helped individuals find relief from many different types of depression, and we will work together to find an approach that fits exactly what you need.

Will I have to take medication to manage my depression?

There are multiple factors that go into the determination of taking psychiatric medications. Whether or not you will take medication to manage your depression may be dependent on your current symptoms, genetics, and life circumstances. There are plenty of ways to manage depression without medication. However, some people make the collaborative decision with their treatment provider that medication could be a good fit for them. I do not prescribe medication as a licensed psychotherapist. But if we decide that trying medication may be an appropriate approach for your symptom management, I work with psychiatrists in the community and would be happy to refer you to a trusted colleague to discuss medication options.

Can depression be cured?

The feeling of “depression” is something that many humans experience from time-to-time. Oftentimes it is circumstantial and may occur during a big life transition or during an instance of grief or loss. However, these are instances of depression that can be processed and worked through in therapy. If you suffer from a depressive disorder, your depression may never fully go away; however, it can significantly be improved through therapy, lifestyle changes, and possibly psychiatric medications. So even if your depression isn’t “cured” in the way that it may not be 100% gone forever, it can absolutely go from debilitating to completely manageable and no longer get in the way of you enjoying and living your life.

Will I have to be in therapy forever to manage my depression?

You will not have to be in therapy forever in order to decrease and manage your depression. The ultimate goal of therapy is to get you to a place where you feel confident to manage your symptoms on your own, by utilizing the tools that you were taught throughout therapy. Therapy will provide you with tangible ways to continue to manage your depression on your own, long after you have successfully completed and discontinued treatment. There is no exact “time limit” or time frame in regards to how long you will be in therapy to find full, ongoing relief from your depression; this is individualized and varies per the individual.

Will seeing a therapist for depression also help with anxiety?

Seeing a therapist for depression can also be incredibly helpful for decreasing symptoms of anxiety. Oftentimes, depression and anxiety symptoms go hand-in-hand. You may develop low self-esteem over time due to ongoing feelings of anxiety or feeling unsure why you can’t just “manage things on your own”. This may lead to feelings of depression, hopelessness, or feeling stuck and unmotivated. If you are also struggling with feelings of depression and anxiety, working with a therapist can be a great fit to help get to the underlying cause of both symptoms and decrease or eliminate them. Visit the ADAA website for more information on the treatment of anxiety and depression collectively.

What are general methods used to treat depression?

Psychotherapy is a widely used method for the treatment of depression. Some people may opt to also take psychiatric medications to manage their depression, but this is not always necessary. Every therapist has a different approach, but some common therapeutic modalities that have been shown to be effective in the treatment of depression include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness-Based Practices, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I utilize these approaches when working with clients.

What Is a Depressive Disorder?

Occasional depression is a part of life — we all get sad from time to time, and occasionally we all may experience some feelings of low self-worth, fatigue, or the inability to concentrate. Depressive Disorders involve more than just a temporary feeling of sadness or an “off” day. If you have a depressive disorder, the uncomfortable feelings of depression do not go away on their own and may increase over time. These symptoms of sadness, helplessness, or hopelessness can negatively interfere with work, school, and relationships. Getting therapy for depression is a great way to get individualized help to treat the Depressive Disorder, so that you can go on to live your life free from feelings of sadness or other uncomfortable symptoms of depression. There are multiple different types of depression that you may experience, listed below.

Common Depressive Disorders and Types of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) - MDD is diagnosed when an individual experiences a number of the following symptoms within the same two week period. These symptoms may include: depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities, appetite disturbances, sleep disturbances, fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty concentrating, indecisiveness, and possibly even thoughts about death or suicide. The symptoms of depression can cause significant problems in areas of their life including work, social relationships, and more.

Depression Therapy Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a type of therapy that examines the relationship between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It helps you to become more aware of negative thoughts so that you can view difficult situations in a new way and respond to them more effectively. There is strong evidence that CBT is an effective treatment for the reduction of depression symptoms.

Mindfulness Therapy Practices

Mindfulness practices include exercises and therapeutic techniques to help calm our nervous system down, which is essential in relaxing our mind and body. Some mindfulness practices include targeted breathing exercises, guided imagery, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation. Mindfulness-based practices can help you to feel more present, alive, and grateful in your day-to-day life — all of which can be very helpful in decreasing depression.

EMDR Therapy

In Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, you are guided by your therapist to engage in bilateral stimulation of your eye movements while imagining distressing scenarios. The act of bilateral stimulation will help your brain to fully process the distressing feelings and events, shifting your attention towards more positive thoughts and helping depression to dissipate. EMDR Therapy has been shown to be effective to help with a variety of mental health conditions, including depression. EMDR therapy can help you to view your life and yourself in more positive ways.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an empirically-based psychological intervention that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies, together with commitment for behavior change. In ACT, we will explore your guiding values in life and help you determine which committed actions you would like to take in order to live in alignment with your values. Identifying and working towards these values can be incredibly effective in decreasing symptoms of depression, Living in alignment with your values can help you to regain a sense of purpose and joy in your life.

Therapist for Depression in San Diego, CA

If you’re ready to overcome your depression and learn more about my therapy for depression services, please use the button above or call (619) 800-5393 for a free 15 minute phone consultation.

Self emBody Therapy
EMDR, Eating Disorders, Anxiety
5330 Carroll Canyon Rd Suite 120,
San Diego, CA 92121
(619) 800-5393

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