Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.
~ Eleanor Roosevelt
Therapy for Depression
I believe thought patterns and behaviors that lead to depression begin early in life.
We receive and internalize messages around emotions like anger or sadness which cause us to deny and suppress them. We learn not so helpful “rules” specific to our families that outwardly and temporarily keep the peace, but leave us internally hurting and confused.
These include, “It’s my job to make everyone happy” or “If I’m perfect I’ll get the attention I deserve” or “I should be able to handle this.”
We believe that by suppressing emotions like frustration, anger and sadness they will go away, but often these feelings get acted out in behaviors that may prompt depression and further isolate us from others.
I am careful to differentiate the natural and normal process of grieving from the biological disease of depression.
When we grieve, we are feeling the uncomfortable and painful emotions which are part of healing. When we suffer a loss, we need to allow ourselves the time and grace to mourn in a safe place without judgement.
This can serve as a protection against depression.
REACH OUT FOR DEPRESSION THERAPY »
Using a combination of psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral theory, I help clients learn how “rules” and modes of handling strong emotion negatively affect the way they relate to themselves, the way they interact with others and the way they view the world.
I try to raise awareness of the negative self-talk and rigid thought patterns which can affect behavior. With this awareness, I help clients discover how these thought patterns came to be and explore ways of reframing them with more flexibility and compassion.
I also assist clients in identifying and practicing self-care activities and recognizing what gets in the way of pursuing them.
