What is Depression?

Depression is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, and a loss of interest or pleasure in activities. It is more than just experiencing occasional sadness or feeling down; depression affects a person's thoughts, emotions, behavior, and overall functioning. Depression is a complex and often misunderstood mental health condition that has become prevalent in today’s society.

Some of the common symptoms of depression are:

1. Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness

2. Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

3. Changes in appetite

4. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or excessive sleeping

5. Fatigue or loss of energy

6. Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

7. Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.

8. Restlessness, or slowed movements.

9. Recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

Each of these symptoms can vary from person to person. It can be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Traumatic life events, chronic stress, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions can also contribute to the development of depression. It is treatable through counseling, medication, lifestyle changes, and support from a strong social network.

Counseling is an essential and effective treatment option for individuals dealing with depression. It provides a safe and supportive environment where individuals can openly express their feelings, thoughts, and concerns with a trained professional. Here are some key aspects of counseling for depression:

1. Therapeutic Relationship: Counseling establishes a therapeutic relationship between the individual and the counselor. This relationship is built on trust, empathy, and confidentiality, providing a non-judgmental space for the individual to share their experiences.

2. Emotional Support: Counselors offer emotional support, validating the individual's feelings and experiences. They help individuals explore and understand the underlying causes of their depression, identify triggers, and develop coping strategies.

3. Psychoeducation: Counselors educate individuals about depression, its symptoms, and how it affects their lives. Understanding depression can help individuals gain insight into their experiences and reduce self-blame or stigma.

4. Goal Setting and Problem-Solving: Counselors assist individuals in setting realistic goals and developing strategies to overcome challenges. This can include addressing issues related to relationships, work, self-care, and lifestyle changes that may contribute to depressive symptoms.

5. Supportive Techniques: Counselors may employ various techniques to promote emotional well-being, such as relaxation exercises, mindfulness, stress management, and self-care strategies. These techniques help individuals develop healthy coping mechanisms and manage stress effectively.

It is important to find a qualified and licensed counselor or therapist experienced in working with depression. They can provide personalized guidance and support tailored to the individual's needs. Additionally, counseling can be combined with other treatment approaches, such as medication or lifestyle changes, for comprehensive care.

Remember, seeking counseling for depression is a proactive step towards better mental health. It can provide valuable insights, coping skills, and support necessary to navigate the challenges of depression and work toward recovery.

What to expect when your teen is in Therapy

It is difficult as parents when our teens and children are going through things and they won’t open up to us.  Therapy can be a great tool for your teen to open up and uncover who they are and understand themselves better.  It can be scary and overwhelming as parents to send their child or teen to therapy.  Often times my parents are worried that I will think poorly of them or that their teen will just air out all of the families drama.  As a therapist, and a mom to a pre-teen and teenager, I will not advise your child on how to fill or react in certain situations.  I will help them work through their emotions and reactions. 

Therapy is a place for the teen to learn about their reactions and emotions and to process how they feel.  I help them navigate friendships, relationship to parents, how to deal with stress, and how to live a healthier life.  I encourage parents to go to their own therapy so they can learn and experience the therapeutic process. 

Your teen is growing rapidly and their brain is developing quickly.  Therapy can help them feel like they have some control over their lives, when so many times, they don’t have control over much.  Involve your teen in finding the right therapist for themselves and ask them what they would prefer in a therapist.  Have them look at different therapy websites to see what they feel comfortable with.  I am here to work alongside both teens and parents.  While I will not disclose what your teen says in therapy, there will be times I encourage them to speak with you and times we have a joint session. 

Some of the most common reasons teens or their parents seek counseling:

·      Your teen is struggling in school, or maybe their grades are changing

·      They are drinking or using substances

·      They constantly seem angry or irritable

·      They have changed their eating habits

·      They no longer want to go anywhere, especially school

·      They are anxious or depressed

·      They are self-harming

·      They have lost their friend group

·      They aren’t taking care of their basic needs

If any of this sounds familiar please reach out to a counselor.  I will be happy to meet with you or your child/teen to work through a plan for therapy.   

What Self-Care Really Means

We have all heard that we need to practice self-care.  You can google self-care and find over 5 billion searches on self-care.  Everyone has their own thoughts and opinions on what self-care is.  But what is self-care and why is it important and how do you practice it?

According to the National Institute of Health, self-care means taking time to do things that help you live well and improve your physical and mental health.  Ultimately, the goal of self-care is to lower or manage your stress and anxiety, increase your energy, and lower your risk of illness.  Self-care can also boost your self-esteem and help you build better relationships.

Some may think self-care is selfish or choosing yourself over others.  Self-care is actually the opposite.  It is setting yourself up to be the best version of yourself that you can be.  It means accepting help when you need it and not overextending yourself by trying to impress people or “do it all”.  We all need help, and it can be good for your mental and physical health to ask for it.

Self-care is about nurturing yourself and your passions and honoring your mind, body, and spirit.  Everybody’s self-care will look different.  Giving yourself 5 minutes to 30 minutes a day to focus on yourself is imperative.  Self-care is caring about yourself and believing that you are enough and that you deserve to be treated kindly by you! 

There are many forms of self-care and countless ways you can find the self-care that works for you.  Here are some questions to ask yourself to find what kind of self-care you need. 

·      What feelings come up when you think about self-care?

·      What hesitations do you have about engaging in self-care?

·      What are some of your passions?

·      What have you been putting off that you really want to do?

·      Where do you find most of your stress comes from?

·      What brings you joy?

Sitting and being thoughtful while answering these questions can help guide you to what you need in your life.  If you still struggle with self-care you are not alone!  Don’t try and do this yourself and seek help from a trusted friend or counselor.  This may be the exact self-care that you need at this moment.