Our therapists provide depression counseling in Wyomissing, PA

Barbara: My go-to approach for treating depression is narrative systemic therapy. I prefer narrative therapy because it allows the 'problem to be the problem' which in this case is depression and its symptoms. It helps create a sense of empowerment in rewriting ones own problem saturated narrative into a more empathetic and contextual story. This approach utilizes reframing and personification to highlight depression is not forever and not your whole self.

Joseph: My go-to approach for treating depression is CBT. I find the best benefit in CBT because it helps people identify how their thoughts about situations trigger depression.

Barbara: I teach the following tools in depression counseling:

• reframing (perspective shift and broadening mindset)
• personification (problem is the problem, separate from self)
• self-care skills (awareness/importance of basic needs)
• daily goals (present focus, energy and successes for that day)
• cognitive challenging (personification, reduce negative skew)
• journaling (rewriting problem narrative into empowering story)

Joseph: I teach the following tools in depression counseling:

• Cognitive Challenging
• Cognitive Reframing
• Cognitive Replacement
• Assertive Communication
• Problem Solving
• Relaxation Techniques
• Mindfulness
• Grounding Techniques

Barbara: I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression goals when they have increased awareness of their triggers, actively acknowledged their basic needs, and see a change in perception. Additionally, the goals that we set will have a frequency that we will work towards for example increasing self-care skills or decreasing depression symptoms. I always like to preface that progress is not linear and will be an ongoing tool during treatment to challenge negative perceptions of self.

Joseph: I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when they report a decrease in the frequency, intensity, and duration of symptoms.

Barbara: Clients can supplement their time in depression counseling with utilizing their network of supports and relationships, create physical activity routine to enhance self-care, seek psycho-education about depression, journaling about depression cycles and seeking out additional resources such as group therapy.

Joseph: Clients can supplement their time in depression counseling by journaling their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in situations that triggers symptoms and documenting efforts to counter negative self talk. They can also practice relaxation techniques, and mindfulness skills on a daily basis. They can use grounding techniques and assertive communication during situations in which they experience intense symptoms.

Barbara: To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can notice the frequency, duration and intensity of your depression symptoms. Also it can be helpful to create timeline of your life to allow insight into your patterns and impact of depression. Additionally, celebrate the scheduling your first appointment because this can be the hardest step of beginning the process of therapy.

Joseph: To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can reflect upon the root causes of your depression and situations that increase your symptoms. You can also identify the coping skills that you currently use.