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Discover how starting depression counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
Sarah:
My go-to approach for treating depression is solution-focused and cognitive behavioral therapies. I prefer to utilize a solution-focused approach for depression because it can help ease a person into making small changes that add to big progress. It can be very easy to be self-deprecating with depression. This technique still acknowledges the difficulty without putting a spotlight on it; instead, it looks at practical solutions that help make the desired changes.
Jennie:
My go-to approaches for treating depression are psychoeducation of depression and common approaches to treating depression. I like to understand my client's depressive symptoms and what most affects them when depressive symptoms are too much to handle. From there, I describe interventions I may use that address their specific depressive symptoms or areas of functioning impacted by depressive symptoms. I tend to use these approaches, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), mindfulness training, and solution-focused therapy, when treating depression.
Sarah: I teach the following tools in individual therapy:
Jennie: The following tools I use in depression therapy include:
Sarah:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when they report feeling less weight on their shoulders as a result of their depression and feeling more in charge of their life as opposed to their depression making the decisions.
Jennie:
I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression therapy when they report progress or changes in general mood, motivation, energy, or hopefulness. Clients may report improvements in assertive behaviors or increased self-esteem.
Sarah:
Clients can supplement their time in depression counseling with a regular practice of self-care/self-love, love and kindness mindfulness (I will teach you how), and engaging your support network.
Jennie:
Clients can supplement their time in depression therapy by practicing skills or exercises taught in session or from resources I share that supplement discussions in session. Clients prescribed medication for depression should follow their prescriber's directions for taking their medications.
Sarah:
To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can make sure you attend to your basic needs (hunger and hydration), make a list of questions or concerns (if you find that helpful), and mentally tell yourself that counseling is a great tool for you to be able to cultivate the life you want and deserve.
Jennie:
For their first depression therapy session with me, clients should come prepared to explain their experience with depression, especially symptoms and how depression impacts different areas of their functioning (e.g., cannot get out of bed, missing work, no motivation to do household tasks, do not enjoy pleasurable activities). Clients should be prepared to listen to explanations for depressive symptoms and impacts on functioning, and common approaches for treating depression. Clients should prepare to identify the approach they are ready to take to resolve their depression.
Depression counseling can help those with major depression, minor depression, postpartum depression, persistent depressive disorder, and more. The providers at Thriveworks in Blacksburg, VA will develop a unique treatment plan based on your specific experience, needs, and goals.
It is absolutely worth going to therapy for depression — depression counseling helps people better manage their symptoms and get back to living happier lives again.
Depression counseling works by helping people pinpoint life problems, distorted thought patterns, and other causes of their depression, then process and work through them in order to mitigate the negative effects those factors have on their lives.
Common signs of depression include:
Thriveworks depression counseling in Blacksburg, VA is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Depression counseling can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, dependent on the severity of one’s depression as well as their needs and preferences.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
Actual clinical depression goes beyond just “feeling blue” or “being down.” Depression symptoms take many forms, and no two people’s experiences are exactly alike. Depression is one of the most common mental/emotional disorders in the United States. It’s believed that depression is or can be due to any combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. It often begins in adulthood, and can occur in people of any age, gender, race, career, relationship status, socio-economic status.
Simply put, depression could be described as a person feeling sad and depressed for weeks or even months months on end. Everyone has a day or two of feeling low, or being in a “bad mood.” But depression is ongoing, and no matter what the external circumstances are, the depressed person is unable to pull out of this feeling. It’s often also accompanied by a sense of hopelessness, a lack of energy or “heaviness,”, and not being able to experience pleasure in the things that once brought the person enjoyment.
If you have been experiencing some of the following signs and symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:
Certainly, not everyone showing a few of these symptoms is depressed, AND not everyone who is depressed will have all of these symptoms. Some have just a few while others may experience many. However, a person experiencing several of these symptoms regularly, as well as low mood really should be seen by a professional to determine if a diagnosis of depression is present. Even those with only a few symptoms may benefit from treatment for depression, to prevent their depression from worsening. The severity, duration and frequency of symptoms will vary depending on the individual as well as on the stage of the illness.
Depression, especially in midlife or older adults, can co-occur with other serious medical illnesses, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and Parkinson’s disease. These conditions are often worse when depression is present. Sometimes medications taken for these physical illnesses may cause side effects that contribute to depression. A doctor experienced in treating these complicated illnesses can help work out the best treatment strategy.
Risk factors include:
Sometimes depression occurs in response to a specific event in one’s life. But for some, depression is a condition that will be with them their entire life. Ongoing treatment/therapy is crucial, to help prevent relapses and to maintain ongoing mental/emotional wellness. The good news is that depression, even the most severe cases, can be treated. The earlier treatment begins, the more effective it is. It’s important to understand that no two people are affected the same way by depression and there is no “one-size-fits-all” treatment. It may take some trial and error to find the treatment or approach that works best for you. At Thriveworks Blacksburg depression counseling, our therapists are trained and experienced in treating depression. They’re understanding, patient, compassionate, and ready to work with you towards getting back to experiencing joy in your life. Call to schedule an appointment as soon as tomorrow – sometimes even today!
Call 540-376-3348 for Thriveworks Blacksburg depression counseling today, or schedule online to get started today.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Friday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:00pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:00pm |
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Friday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Saturday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Sunday | 8:00am - 6:00pm | |
Monday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Tuesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Wednesday | 8:00am - 9:30pm | |
Thursday | 8:00am - 9:30pm |
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