Is Depression Controlling Your Life?

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Do you find yourself withdrawing from friends and loved ones?  Do you have a hard time finding motivation to accomplish goals, tasks, or just the basic needs for living?  Do you keep thinking that it’ll get better but it doesn’t?

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Depression Symptoms Can Affect Your Health And Relationships

 

If you’re suffering from depression, you might experience feelings of worthlessness, no longer being interested in things you used to enjoy, thoughts of harming yourself or possibly others, difficulty concentrating, or withdrawing from friends and family.  This condition can make you feel defeated, especially when you can’t seem to find a way out of that feeling and don’t see the end in sight.

 

Depression can even affect your physical health.  Your sleep patterns can shift, you may find yourself unable to wake up or struggling with insomnia.  What and how much you eat can change and exacerbate the symptoms you’re already struggling with.  This can lead to weight loss or weight gain.  Headaches or migraines can sometimes be attributed to depression as well.

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Perhaps your social life has suffered because of depression, this is not uncommon. When you’re struggling with depression, you can find yourself withdrawing from friends and loved ones, just wanting to be alone.  Some friends and loved ones may be supportive and understand what you’re going through but even with their support, it can strain relationships.  Through therapy you can start to resolve the root cause of the depression and learn how to move forward in hopes of a life that you feel happy and fulfilled in and start nurturing and engaging in those relationships again.  

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Your symptoms can affect every aspect of your life—even your faith. You may feel like you’re falling short in your relationship with God and worry that your depression symptoms mean that your faith is faltering. But with support from a Christian therapist, you can finally process your depression and begin living a genuinely happy life.

 

Our Culture Can Exacerbate Depression

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Today, many people deal with depression because the demands of modern life are so unrelenting.  Our world gives us a depiction of life that is perfect.  The perfect outfit.  The perfect house.  The perfect car.  The perfect job.  The perfect family.  In reality, these things aren’t real and cause us to set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and when we don’t meet those expectations, we can easily fall into depression. 

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Lots of people who live with depression feel ashamed. This shame discourages them from speaking up about their mental health. However, without help, overcoming depression is very difficult.  When you struggle to provide your daily needs such as bathing or eating, addressing your mental health and depression seem very out of reach and can cause you to be overwhelmed and isolate. 

And while many Christians turn to prayer and scripture when they’re dealing with depression, even people with deep faith can have a hard time opening up about their struggles with depression. They often fear that they will face judgment or even outright condemnation from their fellow Christians rather than being comforted with God’s grace.

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But human beings are bound to stumble from time to time. We live in a world where sin is always present and we all need support to cope with the challenges we face. By working with a counselor who applies a faith-based approach to depression treatment, you can find peace again.

 

Depression Treatment Can Help You Let Go Of Your Worries

 

You might be worried that talking to a therapist about your mental health will feel uncomfortable. At Arise Christian Counseling, you can process your thoughts and emotions in therapy without feeling judged. You’re free to share anything that’s on your mind, from frustrating symptoms to the way that your depression has affected your relationships, faith, or daily life.

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In depression counseling, you will learn practical solutions for managing your symptoms and dealing with stress or sadness. Furthermore, if you want to incorporate your faith into your sessions, you’ll be able to find comfort and solace in your faith.

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What To Expect In Depression Counseling Sessions

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In your first session, we’ll talk about what brought you to therapy, what you hope to gain through depression treatment, and any previous experiences you’ve had with counseling. I work with my clients using a solution-focused approach to treatment. You’ll be encouraged to share your history with depression, we’ll also spend time looking forward and working on practical solutions for improving your quality of life. 

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Through therapy, you’ll develop concrete coping skills and practice establishing healthy boundaries in your life. You’ll also work on building your social support systems so that you can get more comfortable with asking for help when you’re struggling. No matter what you work on in therapy, you’ll be able to keep your eyes focused on everything that God is calling you towards.

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Developing Your Depression Treatment Plan

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I’ll design your unique treatment plan with a solution-focused, person-centered approach. In other words, I’ll be there to listen to your concerns and guide your journey of self-discovery. You’ll develop a vision for your future and we’ll work on the skills and tools that you need to achieve it.

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Through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, you’ll analyze the negative beliefs that make you feel trapped and learn to establish healthier thought patterns. You can also break down the stories you tell yourself about your own life with narrative therapy and start considering alternative stories instead. Additionally, motivational interviewing can help you draw on internal motivation and come up with your own unique solutions, allowing your life to change for the better.  We will look into understanding the root cause of your depression and how to heal from that.  This is a longer approach than more solely brief focused therapies but it is proven to be more successful in the long run.  

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We’ll also work on strategies for overcoming anxiety and depression in your daily life, such as breathing techniques that engage all five of your senses. I’ll help you discover healthy outlets for your emotions, like journaling, trying new hobbies, or spending more time with God in prayer. To the degree that you are comfortable with, we can look to Christ as a guiding light to help you along your path. 

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Over the past ten years, I have helped many clients heal their depression through therapy. If you feel like you will never be able to recover from depression, remember that peace is always possible. God has granted us the necessary tools to cope with depression.  With guidance from a therapist, you can shift your mindset, process past hurts, and develop the skills you need to heal from depression. 

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But You May Still Have Questions About Depression Treatment…

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Can I really afford depression therapy?

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Therapy is an investment in your mental health and wellbeing. Arise Christian Counseling accepts insurance, making therapy more affordable for many clients. But if you do not have insurance, please don’t hesitate to speak with me about your concerns. We can discuss options for easing your financial burden. Depending on what you are experiencing, we can discuss adjusting the frequency of sessions to fit your budget but still make progress!

 

I’m nervous about sharing my personal struggles with a stranger.

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While it’s normal to feel a bit awkward during your first therapy session, I strive to create an environment where you can relax and truly feel comfortable. I’m not there to judge you—instead, you can look to me as a neutral party who can help you navigate life without fear of condemnation. Over time, you’ll become more comfortable opening up in therapy."

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Am I suffering from depression because my faith isn’t strong enough?

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Depression does not mean that you are failing as a Christian. If you feel like your depression has caused you to stray from God, remember that none of us are sinless. That’s why we rely on Christ to guide us through life. God works in many ways and He has put people in your path who can help you, such as therapists. 

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You Can Live A Happier Life With Depression Treatment

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If you’d like to find relief from depression, I invite you to call 407-900-9756 to schedule your first session or you can reach out through the contact page on my website.

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Do you have to be Christian to be seen?

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No, it is not a requirement for someone to be a Christian to come to Arise.  I use evidence based approaches in my sessions that can be used for all individuals, no matter your faith.  If you are interested and open to including your Christian faith into the sessions, you get to determine to what level that will be done.