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Open Heart and Mind Counseling Services
Therapy for depression

Depression

Understanding Depression and How Therapy Can Help

Depression is a common experience that can deeply affect how you think, feel, and engage with life. It may show up as lasting feelings of sadness or changes in areas such as sleep, eating habits, energy levels, and behavior. Symptoms can vary from person to person and range from mild to more severe.

Common Symptoms Include:

  • Persistent feelings of sadness, irritability, emptiness, or hopelessness

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

  • Significant changes in appetite (eating much less or more than usual) and/or weight (notable loss or gain not linked to dieting)

  • Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or hypersomnia

  • Reduced energy levels or increased fatigue

  • Noticeable changes in physical activity, such as restlessness or slowed movements and speech

  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt

  • Difficulty concentrating, forgetfulness, or challenges in making even minor decisions

  • Thoughts of death, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempts

While it’s normal to feel down at times, ongoing feelings like these that last most of the day for more than two weeks and impact daily life—such as work, relationships, or hobbies—may indicate depression. The good news is that support is available, and with the right help, many people find relief and rediscover a sense of balance.

How Therapy Can Support You in Managing Depression


Here are some ways I can help at Open Heart and Mind Counseling Services:

  • Understanding Depression and the Neurobiological Process: Together, we'll explore the neurobiological aspects of depression, increasing your understanding of what you’re experiencing.

  • Symptom Relief and Enhanced Coping Skills: My goal is to help you overcome depressive symptoms, reducing their intensity and frequency while learning practical ways to manage stress and handle tough emotions, including skills for challenging days.

  • Behavioral Activation: I’ll encourage you to engage in activities and hobbies that bring you joy, helping to counter feelings of withdrawal and improve your mood.

  • Cognitive Skills: I will assist you in developing cognitive skills, including techniques for challenging and defusing unhelpful thought patterns contributing to depression.

  • Exploring Self-Care: Together we will work on establishing healthy habits that promote mental well-being and reduce depression symptoms.

  • Increase Distress Tolerance and Build a Sense of Control: Together, we’ll focus on building your capacity to tolerate distress and feel more grounded in challenging situations, allowing you to regain a sense of control over your life.

  • Strengthening Emotional Awareness and Regulation: Together we will work on helping you identify and understand your emotions, giving you the tools to regulate them more effectively.

  • Strengthened Support System: I will support you in fostering relationships and social connections to combat feelings of isolation and provide emotional backing.

  • Building Resilience: Our sessions will focus on strengthening your resilience, helping you bounce back from setbacks and maintain progress even when faced with challenges.

  • Relapse Prevention: We'll work together on a personalized plan for recognizing early signs of depression and preventing future episodes.

Each of these goals can be tailored to your unique needs, values, and preferences, ensuring that therapy is as personalized as it is effective.

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