Depression & Anxiety

Therapy for Depression & Anxiety

Depression and anxiety are often comorbid, meaning that people who suffer from one, also experience the other. Both of these illnesses are unfortunately becoming more common than ever, with the constant stress of the news, social media, and pressure of modern day life. These illnesses have taken away so much from people, affecting your self-esteem, work and/or school functioning, and relationships. Luckily, both are very treatable, and with the right tools and support, can absolutely improve over time.

Depression

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IN OUR WORK TOGETHER, I CAN SUPPORT YOU IN:

Teaching practical coping skills to reduce stress responses
Processing and working through past trauma and underlying emotional wounds
Better understanding your symptoms as messengers and learn what they are trying to tell you
Reducing shame, self-criticism and judgment that keeps you stuck
Bringing in self-compassion, and uncovering your body's inner wisdom
Prioritizing self care and setting boundaries

Depression can feel like you’re sludging through life, like everything takes more effort than it should. Even simple tasks, like getting out of bed or engaging in daily activities, can feel overwhelming. Many clients with depression tell me “I don’t feel like myself,” or experience a sense of disconnect from their typical range of emotions. Although many people think of depression as a constant sadness (and it certainly can be), more often than not, my clients complain of a “numbness” or lack of feeling, which they feel is even more distressing.

Depression is complex, and influenced by many factors, including biology, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and trauma. In our work together, we reframe depression as a protective nervous system shutdown, and explore the patterns that lead to this state. Therapy helps to gently bring these protective patterns into awareness using a parts-based approach. From there, we can begin to understand the role they’ve played in your life. Then, we identify practical, evidence-based coping skills to target and alleviate the symptoms. This process not only offers relief, but also creates space to reconnect with yourself, clarify your values, and begin living in a way that feels more authentic and aligned.

Anxiety

If you are suffering from anxiety, you may feel like your mind and body are constantly “on edge”, as if something bad might happen at any moment, even when you can’t quite name what it is. You may notice racing thoughts, difficulty relaxing, trouble sleeping, or a constant sense of tension in your body. Many people describe feeling stuck in their heads, overthinking, or unable to fully be present in their lives.

Anxiety can sometimes be helpful in that it alerts us to real danger, and helps motivate us to prepare. However, it becomes overwhelming when your system perceives the threat too often or too intensely. Anxiety is deeply connected to the nervous system, particularly the fight-or-flight response, which is designed to keep you safe. When this system is activated frequently, your body can begin to feel like it’s always bracing for something, even in situations that are objectively safe.

In our therapy work together, I can support you in better understanding the protective function of your anxiety- when it is helpful vs. when it is harmful. We identify triggers, patterns, and sensations in your body brings mindful awareness to the feeling, without trying to fight it. I bring in evidence-based coping tools that you can use in any situation where anxiety comes up. Ultimately, I want to support you in living a life that aligns with you, rather than the anxiety taking charge. With the right tools and support, anxiety is very treatable, and there is hope for overcoming it.