Our therapists provide depression counseling in Colorado Springs, CO

My go-to approach for treating depression is an eclectic approach to individualize care for what my client is needing. I find the best benefit in using a mixture of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), person-centered therapy (PCT), and mindfulness, because the combination of these three therapies incorporates thoughts, emotions, and body awareness. I believe addressing therapeutic issues holistically can be quite effective and address a multitude of my clients' needs.

During depression counseling, I teach the following tools:

• Awareness: Without awareness we can't change, how are your thoughts, emotions, and/or body cues affecting your depression? What are your triggers for depressive episodes?
• Self-compassion: Being gentle and compassionate towards yourself while undergoing a time of turmoil is crucial. The inner critic can be ·really strong, so empowering our inner champion can help alleviate the weight of depression.
• Identifying cognitive distortions: What unhealthy repetitive thought patterns are happening subconsciously?
• Reframing: How can we reframe these negative thought patterns to empower you as the client?
• Deep breathing: Breathing exercises to soothe an overwhelmed nervous system and create more self-awareness and safety within your body

I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when they are feeling more empowered, their symptoms have decreased in intensity, duration, and/or frequency, and their coping skills have increased.I love when clients are able to celebrate their hard work and say, “I was able to use my inner champion instead of my inner critic when I didn't cross everything off my to-do list!” or “I was able to journal when I was feeling low this week instead of doom scrolling!

Clients can supplement their time in depression counseling with journaling, mindful walks, or other enjoyable forms of exercise, deep breathing practices at home, comforting hobbies, and social support, along with healthy social media use. I tend to lean towards coping skills that feel comforting, loving, soothing, etc. during times of depression.

To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can reflect on what goals you want to work on in therapy, what obstacles have gotten in your way, and what you might need from a therapist. Remember therapy is about YOU, so it is important that you find a therapist you connect with and feel empowered and comfortable enough to be vulnerable with. It is also completely normal to feel nervous and/or anxious before starting therapy; congratulations on being brave and showing up for yourself in a loving way!