Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC, LMHC, CIRT, CCH
I have extensive experience working with depression and underlying difficulties that cause it. My practice is informed by multiple approaches and is effective with or without medication support
There are several approaches that can work well, and I use them in combinations depending on the wishes of the client. I often use psychological testing to help clarify the underling issues and better target interventions, including recommending medications most likely to be effective, based on psychological testing results.
Courtesy of PsychCentral: "CBT works by helping you change any unhelpful thought processes that may be contributing to your depression. Through various techniques, CBT aims to do the following:
Identify and challenge negative thoughts: CBT teaches you to spot and challenge automatic negative thoughts linked to depression, like feeling helpless, hopeless, or worthless.
Restructure cognitive patterns: A therapist will work with you to reframe your interpretation of life events, altering any core beliefs that contribute to depressive symptoms.
Develop coping strategies: CBT teaches effective coping skills and problem-solving techniques to handle challenging situations.
Behavioral activation: Your CBT therapist will encourage you to do enjoyable things to fight against feeling withdrawn and inactive, common feelings in depression.
Relapse prevention: CBT not only treats current symptoms but also focuses on preventing future relapses by teaching strategies to maintain healthier thoughts and behavior patterns..."