Depression Therapy

Depression Therapy In San Francisco

Everyone feels sad sometimes. Feelings of sadness and grief are natural and adaptive responses to loss. However, if you feel sad, irritable, or “empty” most of the time, have lost interest in activities or relationships that you once enjoyed, have difficulty concentrating, and find your appetite, sleep, or activity level has changed, you may be experiencing depression. For some people feelings of sadness and grief become overwhelming and debilitating while others find that they feel numb and have difficulty feeling anything at all. Depression occurs when these symptoms interfere with daily functioning.

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Are You…

  • Feeling sad or “empty” most of the day, nearly every day?

  • Feeling irritable or restless?

  • Losing interest and pleasure in activities and relationships that you once enjoyed?

  • Having difficulty concentrating or making decisions?

  • Having difficulty sleeping or waking?

  • Losing your appetite or overeating?

  • Experiencing more aches or pains, digestive problems, or headaches?
    Feeling hopeless and pessimistic?

  • Experiencing a sense of worthlessness or excessive guilt?

  • Feeling tired, unmotivated, or helpless?

  • Having thoughts of suicide?

If you answered yes to five or more of the above then you are probably experiencing depression. The good news is that depression is a treatable condition.

You Are Not Alone

If you are depressed, you are not alone. Depression is fairly common and is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy. About 9 percent of American adults suffer from some form of depression and it’s rates worldwide are increasing. Major Depression, a severe form of depression, is the leading cause of disability worldwide.

Whether your depression is a reaction to a recent event or events in your life, something that you have felt off and on for years, or something you have struggled with throughout your life, there is help. Depression slows us down and provides an opportunity for self understanding.

“Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.”
- C.G. Jung

My Approach To Treatment For Depression

Depression is a highly treatable condition. It is complex, manifests differently in different people, and can be mild, moderate, or severe. Depression is usually caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, interpersonal, psychological, and situational factors. My approach to working with depression integrates many different modalities and approaches. I would want to become as informed as possible about your particular depression so that our work can best meet your needs.

There may be a reason for what you are experiencing. If we worked together we might:

  • Explore the history of your depression and any history of depression in your family. We might identify any patterns or triggers of your depression and explore if there are any early losses or childhood events that are contributing to it.

  • Explore any life circumstances, stressors, or any repetitive relational patterns that are worsening your depression and identify any changes that you would like to make in your life.

  • Explore the possible “wisdom” in your depression and that it might be indicating that there is something important that is missing in your life. We might explore a possible discrepancy between where you want to be in your life and where you are currently. Perhaps you are seeking more meaning and a sense of purpose in your life.

  • Explore any negative thoughts about yourself and use cognitive techniques to identify any negative thought process that are fueling your depression and work to change those thoughts.

  • We would want to rule out any medical and biochemical causes of your depression, which is usually done by your primary care physician.

  • We could look at how your current lifestyle might be contributing to your depression by exploring your eating habits, exercise, and alcohol and substance use and explore any environmental influences that might be worsening your mood.

  • I could teach you some practical tools for shifting your mood in the moment and we could engage in dreamwork, sandplay, active imagination, or other creative methods in order facilitate the natural wisdom and healing of your imagination for integration and wholeness.

  • If you have experienced trauma or feel stuck in your life due to unresolved emotional hurts or injuries, we could utilize EMDR or other trauma focused methods in order to aid you in moving forward.

Recent scientific research has suggested that there may be an evolutionary reason for depression.

Research has shown that depression promotes introspection and increased mental acuity. Numerous studies have demonstrated that when someone is depressed there is increased blood flow to certain areas of the brain. Studies have also shown that people who are depressed are better able to solve complex problems those who are not. By taking your depression seriously, you may be able to gain insight into yourself and make important changes so that you can more fully engage in and enjoy your life.

“In the middle of winter, I at last discovered that there was in me an invincible summer.”
- Albert Camus