Our therapists offer counseling for anxiety & depression in Orlando, FL

Olivia: My go-to approach for treating depression is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). I find the most benefit in CBT and DBT because they are evidence-based treatments that are proven to help treat and reduce symptoms of depression. These approaches also can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and help an individual gain tools to help with interpersonal conflicts.

Sindy: My go-to approach for treating depression is providing a safe and empathetic space to process those thoughts and feelings leading to depression. Once we have processed them together, we can start doing the healing work in cognitive reframing, where we learn to challenge those thoughts. I see the best benefit in CBT and person-centered therapy because you will not feel alone in this process but rather empowered.

Olivia: I use the following tools with someone in counseling to navigate depression: cognitive restructuring or reframing (identifying the negativing thinking patterns and reframing these in the moment they happen in), emotion identification and regulation (identifying emotions and learning how to cope when feeling those ways), distress tolerance (learning healthy ways to cope during a stressful situation), journaling and thought records (keeping a log of thinking patterns), behavior activation (doing activities that increase interaction and/or healthy movement), relaxation/mindfulness or stress reduction exercises, and more!

Sindy: I teach the following tools in depression counseling: mindfulness, relaxation/deep breathing, addressing trauma, cognitive reframing, and radical acceptance.

Olivia: I know when a client is making meaningful progress in reducing symptoms of depression when they are utilizing some of the tools that we learned in therapy at home or on a daily basis and/or report a reduction in symptoms of depression.

Sindy: I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when a client tells me they are engaging in an activity that they have been wanting to do for a long but could not due to their depression.

Olivia: Clients can supplement their time in counseling with doing healthy activities and utilizing their healthy coping skills as well as using the tools that we learn together during therapy.

Sindy: Clients can supplement their in time in depression counseling with brief 20-minute daily exercise, spending time outdoors, and limiting their time in stressful environments.

Olivia: To prepare for your first counseling session, you can write down a list of goals you might have for therapy, symptoms you may be experiencing, or what is bringing you to counseling.

Sindy: To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can be kind and graceful with yourself, as this is not about being flawed.