Therapist who is depressed

After clients learn to recognize their negative self-talk, she says, they can use the other tools she has given them, such as meditation and visualization, to ultimately banish their negative thoughts and the anxiety or depression that accompanies them. Lori Russell-Chapin believes that neurocounseling — which combines traditional counseling with an understanding of how the structure and functions of the brain affect behavior and emotion — can deliver the most effective treatment for depression and anxiety.

Clients then learn that they can change some of these processes through neurotherapy. Russell-Chapin, an ACA member, begins counseling with a complete assessment of the client. For instance, she says, depression is related to frontal asymmetry — a condition in which the left frontal lobe, which is associated with positive affect and memory, is underactivated. In cases of anxiety, she adds, the right frontal lobe usually has excessive activity.

The process begins with an initial electroencephalogram EEG , which will reveal where the brain is dysregulated and the corresponding imbalance of brain waves. Neurofeedback sessions are designed to change specific brain wave activity, Russell-Chapin says. To make neurocounseling more effective, Russell-Chapin usually begins by teaching clients basic biofeedback skills such as controlling their breathing, heart rate and skin temperature.

Russell-Chapin also emphasizes to clients the importance of diet, exercise and sleep because they all have a significant effect on brain regulation. Do you know how much sugar is in them? Russell-Chapin firmly believes that all counselors should take a similarly holistic approach with their clients. We can do so much to help with this dysregulation. Humans are hard wired to have negative thoughts, says Vanessa McLean, and that is something she emphasizes to clients with depression and anxiety.

McLean, an LPC with The Westwood Group, a group practice in Richmond, Virginia, that offers a wide variety of therapies, has found that teaching people about the physiology of their emotions with intense brain-based psychoeducation can be very effective for treating depression and anxiety. Learning that the tendency to react with fear or sadness is in part biologically driven helps to lessen the shame that often accompanies depression and stress, she says.

Do we feed it? McLean talks to clients about their personal histories and how they have traditionally reacted to and coped with negative emotional responses. She helps them understand that struggling with negative thoughts is normal, but they can learn to reinterpret or not dwell on these emotions. She urges clients who might be struggling with depression or anxiety to distract themselves with exercise and other activities that they find enjoyable or that give them a sense of meaning and purpose.

She also talks to clients — particularly those with anxiety — about how the body and brain can create a kind of tension loop. To short-circuit this loop, she teaches clients deep breathing techniques and progressive muscle relaxation. She also asks them about other activities that have helped calm them in the past. When clients are open to it, McLean may also discuss spirituality with them and get them to talk about what gives them meaning and purpose. As one element of her practitioner profile, McLean identifies herself as a Christian counselor, so sometimes people seek her out because of that.

She believes that everyone is a spiritual being in one way or another, and she helps clients explore their beliefs — whatever they may be — to impart a sense of hope. Lisa Jackson-Cherry has a counseling practice in a medical setting — the Chester Regional Medical Center in Chester, Maryland — and often receives referrals from physicians.

Although the process may take longer, Jackson-Cherry thinks that the tools clients acquire through counseling will bring longer lasting relief and will also help individuals cope should symptoms of depression or anxiety later resurface.

However, some of those ineffective cognitions are so enmeshed into their lives [that] listening to their … struggles and stories is an important aspect [of treatment]. Talking to clients about their experiences helps Jackson-Cherry to individualize their therapy, she says. In that case, Jackson-Cherry might use not just cognitive therapies but also behavioral therapy, such as talking about how the client can feel safer and more in control.

Research has shown that women are two to three times more likely than men to experience depression. Approximately 1 out of every 5 women in the United States will experience depression at some point in her lifetime. She adds that this stark gender gap does not appear until puberty and then disappears after menopause. Puberty is a particularly vulnerable time. This rapid increase in depression incidence is related not only to a surge in hormones but also to factors that accompany the onset of puberty, she explains.

Girls who go through puberty early are at even greater risk for depression, Choate says, in part because their emerging physical maturity often pushes them into situations that they are not emotionally ready to handle, such as older boys becoming interested in them sexually.

These girls may also find themselves pulled in socially by older students and encouraged to experiment with drugs and alcohol, which further sets them up for depression, she explains. Boys, on the other hand, go through puberty about three years later, which gives them time to become settled in school and adjust to the challenges of adolescence, Choate says. In essence, they have more life experience before they face the hormonal surge of puberty. Another factor in the early gender gap with depression is that girls place more importance on relationships than boys do, Choate notes.

And then there is the monthly hormonal shift that girls and women face with their menstrual period, Choate points out. Counselors should be aware that not only can PMS exacerbate depression symptoms, but in some cases, she continues, what looks like major depression may actually be premenstrual dysphoric disorder PMDD , a condition that was added to the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.

Approximately 80 to 90 percent of people with depression experience significant improvement with treatment, according to the American Psychiatric Association. There have been thousands of studies that have looked at what works in treating depression. The following treatments are evidenced-based meaning that they have been found to be effective in helping people with depression.

There are several different types of medications that are used to treat depression. Here are the most common ones: 8. The above medications are just a few of the antidepressants available for depression. As you can see, new medications come on the market all the time. Your doctor will help you find the right medications for you. Psychotherapy is an effective treatment for medication and the research backs this up.

In fact, over the long-term, therapy works better than medications — and it is more cost effective. The key is finding a good therapist. To find a good therapist , look for someone who: There are several different types of psychotherapy. They all have the same goal and that is to help you understand your depression, teach you ways to cope and help you feel more in control.

Here are some of the most common types of therapy:. Self-help strategies are a good supplement to therapy and medications for depression. Changing some simple lifestyle habits can help you naturally fight depression. Here are some of the best self-help treatments for depression. You may be asked to do homework that extends the learning from the counseling sessions. Often, this is in the form of tracking moods and feelings. Counseling for depression focuses more on present thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these things are affecting your life currently.

That's why CBT has been a useful model to use in counseling sessions. With CBT, the therapist can help you change negative thinking that may be making the symptoms of depression worse. The focus is goal-oriented, with you, the patient, taking an active role.

Evidence suggests that CBT works well in counseling for depression. Interpersonal therapy IPT is another brief or short-term method used in counseling for depression that focuses on interpersonal conflict and poor social support, which can lead to feelings of depression. This type of therapy can help you communicate better and address issues that make the symptoms of depression worse.

Evidence suggests that IPT is effective in acute treatment of depression, and it may help prevent new depressive disorders. There are also some other treatment modalities that may be worth considering. For more severe and refractory cases of depression, electroconvulsive therapy ECT may be useful. There are also complementary and alternative approaches that might provide additional benefits. Finding the right counselor, psychologist, or mental health expert to work with may take some time.

When it comes to counseling for depression, the relationship between patient and counselor is key to the success of the therapy. You may find that you need to see a few people before finding someone you can develop the best working alliance with. You can also contact any larger mental health facilities in your area. While they may not offer the services you need, they will likely know of counselors close to where you live that provide therapy for depression.

Another place to find referrals online is through one of the professional organizations such as the American Psychological Association or the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.

Many of them have online directories that allow you to search for mental health experts in your area. Finally, spend some time researching the experts in your area. Go online and read their bios. Send an email asking for more information about their preferred forms of treatment and how they interact with clients. Many therapists offer a free intro session to see if it is a good fit. Find out if they offer a free trial session and give it a try.

One other form of counseling to consider, especially for more mild forms of depression, is online therapy. The popularity of online therapy has increased in the last few years and has accelerated considerably in the current pandemic.

Online resources and apps such as Talkspace offer support via a desktop or mobile app with a variety of services including individual sessions and other mental health resources that can help you work through issues related to depression, and come up with and practice coping strategies. Ask if they take your health insurance or if they're able to work with you on a sliding scale. Once you determine that the therapist is adequately trained and licensed, you can read their bio on their website if they have one or send an email inquiry to find out where they received their education and how many years of experience they have.

For example, one therapist may specialize in marriage or family counseling , while another may be an expert in substance abuse, but both may be skilled at treating depression.

Treatment is a collaborative two-way process of finding solutions to reinforce the constructive thoughts, behaviors, and emotions that will create positive change in your life. Psychotherapy should be a safe and supportive process, no matter which type of therapy you decide on.

When working with a psychotherapist, you should always feel comfortable opening up and sharing your feelings and challenges with depression. They might even have a better recommendation or referral for you. Everything feels more challenging when you're dealing with depression.

Get our free guide when you sign up for our newsletter. Adding psychotherapy to antidepressant medication in depression and anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis. World Psychiatry. American Psychological Association. Cognitive therapy CT. Updated July 31, Cognitive therapy to prevent depressive relapse in adults. Curr Opin Psychol. Fenn K, Byrne M. The key principles of cognitive behavioural therapy. Driessen E, Hollon SD. Cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorders: Efficacy, moderators, and mediators.

Psychiatr Clin North Am. Meta-analysis and systematic review assessing the efficacy of dialectical behavior therapy DBT. Res Soc Work Pract. The effectiveness of long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy--a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Clin Psychol Rev. How to choose a psychologist. October 17, Ferri FF. Depression, Major. In: Ferri's Clinical Adviser. Mitchell D.

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