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      • Anti-Social Personality Disorder
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
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      • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis
      • Diagnosing and Treating an Adjustment Disorder
      • Histrionic Personality Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Paranoid Personality Disorder
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  • Our Therapists
  • What We Treat
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Resources
    • Addiction Guide
      • Adderall Guide | Side Effects
      • Alcohol Addiction
      • Benzodiazepines
      • Cocaine Withdrawal
      • Fentanyl Guide | Addiction Treatment
      • Heroin Addiction Guide
      • Meth Guide
      • Online Alcoholics Anonymous
      • Oxycodone Guide
      • Tramadol Guide | Side Effects | Addiction Treatment
      • Xanax Guide
      • How a Substance Abuse Counselor Helps
      • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Behavioral Health
      • How can counseling help depression?
      • Treatments for Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
    • Bipolar Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
      • Is bipolar disorder genetic and triggered later on?
      • Is cognitive therapy effective for bipolar disorder?
    • Children & Adolescents Guide
      • 10 Warning Signs of Teenage Mental Illness
      • Munchausen Syndrome
      • How Does Social Media Affect Teenagers’ Mental Health?
      • Oppositional Defiant Disorder
      • Spotting Types of Depression in Children
      • Teen Suicide
      • Top Tips For Parents
      • Video Game Therapy for ADHD
      • What is a Residential Mental Health Facility for Teenagers Like
      • Why Is Mental Health on the Rise Amongst Teenagers?
    • Is Social Media Ruining Our Self-Esteem? 
    • Mental Health Guide
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Guide to Anxiety Medication
      • Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
      • High Functioning Depression | Signs | Symptoms
      • How Can We Prevent Mental Illness in Youth?
      • How Do You Help Someone with Avoidant Personality?
      • How Does Online Counseling Work for Mental Health?
      • How Can a Mental Health Counselor Help
      • Mental Breakdown
      • Schizoid Personality Disorder
      • Postpartum Depression
      • Types of Mood Disorders
      • The Toll of Grief and How to Cope with It
      • What are The Major Affective Disorders?
      • What Cognitive Psychology Teaches Us About How We Think
      • What Is Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • What are mental health symptoms you should never ignore?
      • What is Bipolar II Disorder? Symptoms and Treatment
      • What is the Difference Between Manic and Hypomanic?
      • What is schizoaffective disorder?
      • Is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) a mental illness?
      • What is substance induced mood disorder?
      • Is Depression a Permanent Mental Disorder?
      • What is the prognosis for Major Depressive Disorder?
    • Marriage Counseling | Benefits
    • Pandemic Related Issues
      • COVID Counseling to Battle Mental Health Issues
      • Work Stress Post-Pandemic
      • Shocking Growth of Anxiety During the Pandemic
    • Relationship Issues
      • How to deal with toxic relationship?
      • How does a toxic relationship affect your mental health?
      • What is gaslighting in a relationship?
      • What is the best way to help a partner who has trust issues?
      • What’s the best way to work out relationship problems?
      • 10 ways to improve communication in relationships
    • Spirituality in Addiction Treatment  
    • Therapy
      • Can I See a Psychiatrist Without a Referral?
      • DBT Therapy for Adolescents
      • DCBT- Digital Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
      • Deep Brain Stimulation to Treat OCD
      • Do I Need a Referral to See a Therapist?
      • Family Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy
      • How Can Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) Help Mental Disorders?
      • EMDR Therapy for Mental Health Conditions
      • Psychiatrist vs. Psychologist
      • Is Therapy Covered by Health Insurance?
      • Psychodynamic Therapy vs CBT
      • Psychotherapy
      • SMART Recovery
      • What Can Psychologists Treat
      • What is Group Therapy
      • What is Internal Family Systems Therapy
      • What Is the Role of the Counselor in Family Therapy
      • What Is Psychoanalysis
    • Trauma Bonding With Intimate Partner Violence
    • Teen Mental Health
      • Can a Minor Go to Therapy Without Parents Permission?
      • Teen Co-Occurring Disorders
      • What are the signs of depression in adolescents?
      • warning signs of suicide in adolescents
      • Mental Health Benefits of Exercise in Teens
      • How is the pandemic affecting mental health in teenagers?
    • Types of Disorder
      • Anti-Social Personality Disorder
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Avoidant Personality Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder Symptoms | Causes | Diagnosis
      • Diagnosing and Treating an Adjustment Disorder
      • Histrionic Personality Disorder
      • Intermittent Explosive Disorder
      • Paranoid Personality Disorder
    • Veterans Guide
      • Functional Medicine for Military
      • Service Dogs Help Veterans with PTSD
    • Process Addiction
      • Gambling addiction
      • How do you know if you have an addictive personality?
      • What is Impulse-Control Disorder?
      • Process Addiction

How to Get Counseling for Depression

Trying to find the best way to get counseling for depression? Check out our ultimate guide for everything you need to know about counseling.

Overview

Anyone who has suffered from depression knows that it is much more than simply feeling blue for a few days. Depression is a severe mental illness that can profoundly affect every aspect of a person’s life. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, counseling can be an effective treatment option.1

Depression Counseling

Counseling for depression can help you understand your disorder’s root causes and develop coping mechanisms to deal with your symptoms. It can also provide valuable support and guidance as you work to recover from depression. In addition, counseling can help improve communication and relationships, which are often affected by depression. This process will improve an individual’s overall quality of life.

Counseling Benefits

With the proper support, you can improve your mental health and start living a fuller, happier life. This article will investigate the causes and symptoms of depression and how counseling can help you manage your depression.2

What is Depression?

Depression is more than just feeling sad or blue. It is a severe medical condition that causes significant mood, thought, and behavior changes. Depression can interfere with your ability to work, study, eat, sleep, and enjoy activities that you once enjoyed. Symptoms of Depression can include:3
    • Persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness
    • Loss of interest in activities or hobbies
    • Changes in appetite or weight
    • Sleep problems
    • Fatigue or decreased energy levels
    • Feelings of worthlessness
    • Hopelessness or guilt-Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

The number of fentanyl deaths has increased significantly annually since 2013. Fentanyl deaths increased again between 2018 and 2019 by 16%. Synthetic opioid overdose deaths were 12 times higher in 2019 compared to 2013. In 2019, more than 36,000 fentanyl deaths occurred. By May 2020, the death count had accelerated. Researchers expect to see a significant increase in fentanyl deaths during the Covid-19 pandemic. Experts do not see the opioid epidemic or fentanyl deaths ending any time soon5.  

How Can I Get Help for Depression?

If you are struggling with depression or have someone suffering from depression, there are many ways to get help. You can start by talking to your doctor about your symptoms.

They can evaluate you for depression and other mental health conditions and make treatment recommendations. Your doctor may also refer you to a mental health specialist, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or counselor.

Can Counseling Help With Depression?

If you are struggling with depression, counseling can be an effective treatment option. Counseling for depression can help you understand your disorder’s root causes and develop coping mechanisms to deal with your symptoms.

It can also provide valuable support and guidance as you work to recover from depression. In addition, counseling can help improve communication and relationships, which are often affected by depression. Furthermore, this type of counseling program can be long-term or short-term. These two counseling options will be detailed below.

Short-Term Counseling

Short-term counseling is a type of counseling that focuses on immediate issues and challenges. It is typically used for specific goals such as dealing with a recent loss or managing stress.

Long-Term Counseling

Long-term counseling can help to provide insight into patterns of behavior, thought, and emotion that may be causing difficulty in a person’s life. It can also help explore the root causes of these patterns. In some cases, long-term counseling can also help to address unresolved trauma from the past.

When Counseling For Depression Is Necessary

It is important to seek counseling when depression has taken over your life and you can no longer function. Depression can make it hard to go to work or school, take care of yourself, or even get out of bed in the morning.

If you are struggling with depression, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Many resources are available to you, and with the proper support, you can improve your mental health and start living a fuller, happier life.

Types of Depression

There are different types of depression, each with its unique symptoms. These will be discussed below.

Major Depression

Major depression is the most severe type of depression. It can cause many physical and mental symptoms that make it difficult to function in day-to-day life.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder (formerly known as dysthymia) is a less severe but more chronic form of depression. It is characterized by long-term (two years or more) symptoms that may not be as debilitating as major depression but can still interfere with work, school, and social life.

Disruptive Mood Dysregulation (DMDD)

DMDD is a type of depression that is diagnosed in children and adolescents. It is characterized by persistent irritability and frequent episodes of anger, often in response to minor frustrations.

Premenstrual Dysphoria (PMDD)

PMDD is a type of depression that occurs in the days leading up to menstruation. It is characterized by irritability, sadness, anxiety, and fatigue.

Substance/Medication-Induced Depression

Substance or medication-induced depression is a type of depression that is caused by using drugs or alcohol or the withdrawal from them. Certain medications can also cause it.

Depression Related to Another Medical Condition

Depression can also be related to another medical condition, such as an autoimmune disease or cancer. This type of depression is known as secondary depression. There are many different types of counseling for depression that can be helpful for people struggling with this mental illness.

What Types of Therapy Are Helpful For Depression?

Many different types of therapy can be helpful for depression. Some of the most common include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
  • Behavioral Activation (BA)
  • Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)
  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) for Depression

How Long Does Counseling Take For Treating Depression?

The length of time that counseling takes can vary depending on the following factors:

  • The severity of depression and symptoms
  • Patient adherence to therapy and treatment
  • Frequency of counseling sessions

Counseling vs. Psychotherapy

Counseling and psychotherapy are both forms of treatment that can be used to help people with mental health conditions. Counseling and psychotherapy are two different but related fields, each with its unique approach to assisting people in resolving personal issues.

Counseling typically focuses on the here and now, helping people to understand and cope with current problems. Counselors may use cognitive behavioral therapy or Solution-Focused Brief Therapy to help people identify and change negative thought patterns or behaviors.

Psychotherapy Focus

In contrast, psychotherapy tends to focus on the past, exploring how early childhood experiences may be affecting a person’s current mental state. Psychotherapists may use psychoanalysis or Jungian analysis to help people understand and work through these issues. Both counseling and psychotherapy can be extremely helpful in resolving personal issues. Your specific needs and goals will depend on which approach is right for you.4

Counseling for Depression

Counseling for depression is a therapy designed to help people with depression manage their symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Counseling can be an extremely effective treatment for depression and can be used in conjunction with other treatments, such as medication.

There are many different types of counseling for depression that can be helpful for people struggling with this mental illness. The most common include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, behavioral activation, problem-solving therapy, and interpersonal therapy.

Psychotherapy for Depression

Psychotherapy for depression is a therapy designed to help people with depression understand and work through the root causes of their condition.

Get Help With Counseling at Pacific Beach Health Center

If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, counseling can be an extremely effective treatment. At Pacific Beach Health Center, we offer various counseling services that can be tailored to meet your unique needs and expectations. Please contact us today to learn more about our counseling services or schedule an appointment.

Opportunities for Wellness and Healing

Despite the negative stigma surrounding mental health, it is important to seek counseling if you are struggling with depression. Depression is a severe condition that can profoundly impact your life.

Left untreated, it can lead to severe consequences, including addiction, self-harm, and even suicide. However, there is hope. With the help of a qualified therapist, you can learn to manage your depression and live a happy, fulfilling life. If you think you might be suffering from depression, reach out for help today. It could be the best decision you ever make.

Counseling for Depression
Resources
  1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/mental-health
  2. https://uhs.umich.edu/depression
  3. https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depressionhttps://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~jfkihlstrom/PersonalityWeb/Ch6Psychoanalysis.htm

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