Depression Therapy in Denver
Depression is not uncommon. According to a recent study from Denver Public Health, one in eight Denver residents is clinically depressed. It’s safe to say that most of us, at one time or another, experiences this condition. However, when it hangs around too long or becomes more chronic in nature, it can begin taking a serious toll on satisfaction and progress in one’s life.
Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness, low energy, and loss of interest in the people and events around you. It can also include feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, and irritability. Sleep disturbances like difficulty falling asleep and/or staying asleep, or sleeping too much, can be part of this condition as well. Some experience it as debilitating feelings of worthlessness, or guilt over the past. It may present as clouded thinking, difficulty concentrating and remembering, and trouble making decisions. Sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.
I’m Mike Garrison, and I’m a depression therapist in Denver, Colorado. I help people just like you move past their depression.
My Approach to Depression Therapy in Denver
Depression, while difficult and frustrating to experience, is treatable. More difficult cases may require medication, but many people who experience more mild or episodic depression can be successfully treated by working with a qualified therapist. By exploring the areas of your life that are troubling you, we can start to make measurable progress toward improving your emotional outlook.
As a depression therapist in Denver, I’ll work side-by-side with you to take a thorough look at what may be contributing to the condition. Whether it be unresolved issues from childhood, past trauma, or present-day struggles, it is critical to bring awareness, understanding, and healing to these areas. Therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for depression because it is a deliberate, thoughtful process by which one can move forward with connection and encouragement.
My approach in this endeavor will typically start with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT is an effective, evidenced-based modality that helps us to examine your thought process around your circumstances, and to identify and eliminate unhelpful approaches by replacing them with a reshaped perspective. While often effective by itself, I’ll often augment our work with CBT by introducing other treatments as well. For example, Solutions-Focused Therapy allows us to tackle specific challenges with an idea driven and action-oriented approach. Narrative Therapy can help us to make space between you and your problem so that it can be reframed in a helpful way. And Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be used to increase emotional flexibility around your challenges. If we find that past trauma is likely contributing to the depression, I may introduce you to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy as a way to help you move past these troubling events.
Whatever the cause, and however we end up approaching it, you don’t have to remain stuck in a state of hopelessness and malaise. Together, we will build a custom treatment plan that is focused on your healing and begin working toward a brighter tomorrow. In depression counseling.
If you’re ready to start feeling better, schedule a complimentary consultation with me today.
Depression Therapy FAQs
Is depression ever accompanied by anxiety?
Yes. Depression and anxiety frequently are found hand-in-hand. Fortunately, by addressing the underlying causes in therapy we can often make progress on both fronts at the same time. I specialize in treating both depression and anxiety in adults.
Isn’t depression just really about feeling sad?
It is normal to feel sad from time to time when life doesn’t go your way. But unlike experiencing normal sadness, depression often is identified with a persistent, deep feeling of sadness that significantly affects your quality of life and interferes with your ability to function and achieve. In your initial sessions, we’ll take a hard look at how you’re experiencing sadness in your life and evaluate if it is indicative of depression.
How long does it take to treat depression?
Put simply, it depends. There are many different types of depression that are all experienced in different levels of severity, and it will be important to evaluate exactly what you’re struggling with and how to best approach it. Some people experience depression as a temporary condition, or a condition that comes and goes over time, while others may experience a more chronic form of depression. Whatever the case, I always work my clients in a way that aims to provide you with easily accessible and effective tools so that you can learn to manage and overcome your symptoms as they occur.
Get help from a qualified depression therapist. If you’re ready to start on the path toward healing, reach out today for a free consultation via phone.