Do I need therapy for depression?
Do you feel helpless, alone, or overwhelmed? Have you lost your sense of energy, drive, and purpose in life? Are you constantly weighed down by stress and negativity?
If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, you may be struggling with depression.
Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the United States. More than 1 in 10 adults meet criteria, according to the CDC (2019), which means that you are not alone.
My name is Betsy J. Harris, LCSW, and I am here for you!
I provide psychotherapy for adults and teens with depression from all over the Columbia, Tennessee area – people just like you – because it truly works. If you are ready to sign up and get started on your path to wellness, contact me today. To learn more about depression and how therapy can help, read on!
What causes depression?
Depression can come from anywhere.
Sometimes, people can develop depression after a significant life event, such as moving to a new city, getting married or divorced, losing a job, or experiencing the death of a loved one. Sometimes depression can happen before, during, or after pregnancy (also known as perinatal depression). And sometimes, depression can happen “out of the blue,” and often people will say “I should feel happy, but I don’t.”
* Severe depression can lead to thoughts of suicide and self-harm. If you or a loved one are experiencing these issues, seek professional help immediately by calling 911, and contact me as soon as possible to get treatment.
The symptoms of depression are deeply rooted in your biology. You feel it in your stomach, your head, and your heart because your mind-body is suffering. Depression is a serious medical condition – and fortunately, it is also a treatable one.
If you or a loved one have experienced any of these difficulties and are noticing the warning signs of depression, don’t wait. Left untreated, the symptoms of depression can wreak havoc on one’s career, relationships, and quality of life. Contact me today to get the help you deserve.
How will psychotherapy help with my depression?
When depression sets in, the symptoms tend to interact with one another. The more down and lethargic we feel, the less likely we are to be active or try to connect with others. The less we connect, the lonelier we feel. The more we isolate, the less meaningful life becomes. This creates a problematic cycle, one that makes itself worse.
Over time, as the symptoms feed one another, the depression becomes more and more severe as the cycle continues:
Therapy for depression is specifically designed to help people break the cycle. Therapists provide insight, encouragement and support to help you regain a sense of control, increase feelings of self-worth and purpose, and help you reconnect emotionally and socially.
Specifically, therapists like me who use Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) help you tap into your inner strengths and focus on enhancing your awareness of the present moment. Therapy doesn’t have to be about changing you or “fixing” you. Instead, the goal is to give you a sense of empowerment, equip you with usable skills, and help get your life back on track.
Therapy for depression can help you learn how to:
- Break free from the depression cycle
- Use self-compassion and acceptance
- Practice meditation techniques
- Make progress towards your goals and aspirations
- Deal with thoughts of self-harm and suicide
- Think positively and be mindful
- Be active and have energy
- Cope with stress and worry
- Rediscover your sense of purpose and direction
Do not wait and hope for things to get better on their own. Psychotherapy is the first line of treatment for depression because it works, and I believe it can work for you. Contact me today to learn how.
What does therapy for depression look like with Betsy?
You don’t have to do this alone! Let me help.
I provide therapy for people in California, Colorado, Oregon, and Tennessee.
My sessions are entirely confidential and specifically designed to help you meet your goals quickly and efficiently. I work hard to create a safe space where you can share without fear of judgment or criticism because I know how difficult it can be to ask for help.
Our first meeting is called the intake interview, during which I will ask you questions about your story to get a sense of what might be contributing to the problem. This also gives us a chance to get to know each other and answer any questions you might have before moving forward with therapy.
I use techniques from MBCT and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) into therapy to equip you with critical skills for dealing with depressive symptoms. You can learn to notice your thoughts and become aware of your inner experiences without letting them control your life. I work to boost your quality of life by bolstering inner strengths, shifting old and unhelpful patterns, and teaching useful skills that can help you achieve your goals.
You deserve a life free from the hurt and the hopelessness. You deserve a chance at wellness, a chance to pursue your goals. And I believe that, together, we can make that happen.
Interested? Let’s Connect!
I would love to hear from you.
Click on the contact menu above to send me a message, ask a question, or get started on your wellness journey by signing up for your first session.
I provide individual therapy for teens and adults for issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Divorce
- Relationship problems
- Work stress
- Grief
- Trauma
- Depression
- Adjustment and major life transitions
- And much more
If you’d like to connect, click Contact in the menu above!
You can read more about me here on my Psychology Today profile.
Office phone: 931-954-2853
