2002 Atwood Ave, Madison, WI, 53704 / TELETHERAPY / 920.215.1254

Depression Therapy in Madison

Teletherapy throughout Wisconsin, Kentucky, and Oregon

Depression—A Dull, Unrelenting Pain

Depression is often marked by the pervasive feeling of ‘not good enough’ or a feeling of inadequacy in multiple areas of our lives. Being overly critical of oneself, punishing oneself or depriving oneself are often markers of depression. We may have unrealistic standards for ourselves that lead to guilt and self-blame. Experiencing joy, excitement, and pleasure can seem off-limits or even not allowed. Painful emotions such as sadness, guilt, and shame take over and are ever-present.

Depression can make activities that were once pleasurable now mundane and boring. We can find it difficult to identify our own needs and wants and constantly put others before ourselves. This type of people-pleasing or helpfulness can be a way to protect ourselves from more rejection and disappointment.

How Can Therapy For Depression Help You?

Therapy for depression can be a helpful way to explore and address the deeper, unconscious reasons for your depression. During sessions, we will work together to understand your thoughts, emotions, and past experiences. Psychodynamic therapy doesn’t address surface-level symptoms of depression, but instead dives deeper to discover and understand underlying emotions or patterns that may be causing difficulty. This modality helps you experience greater self-awareness and self-worth leading to more nurturing connections, both with yourself and others.

We can also practice mindfulness skills and self-compassion practices for depression. These allow you to let go of limiting beliefs you have about yourself and your life and feel more present in your body and with others. 

Therapy for depression can lessen the crippling hold depression has over you and your life. Therapy for depression works! A life without depression is possible.

Depression Isn’t Just About Being Sad All The Time

The truth is that depression is more than just feeling sad and can manifest in a variety of other ways as well, including withdrawal, guilt, despair, self-hate, or feeling like a failure. Maybe you’re experiencing body pain and discomfort like an upset stomach, headaches, tense muscles, or fatigue. You may also long for relief from dark thoughts and suicidal ideations that plague your mind. 

You feel so overwhelmed by your thoughts because you keep replaying situations and conversations you’ve had with others — over-analyzing what you think you did wrong or what you could have done differently. This has led you to isolate yourself from others because interactions leave you feeling hurt, rejected, and ashamed.

When you’re suffering from depression, life can quickly become so dark. However, with the right support, it is possible to find acceptance and compassion for your experience and what you’ve been through.

It’s Normal To Experience Moments of Sadness And Overwhelm

Major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Anyone can experience depression. However, those who have endured loss, abuse, or distressing events are more likely to develop the disorder. Approximately 4.7 percent of adults aged 18 and over experience regular feelings of depression.

Feeling sad because of events like rejection, job loss, or a bad breakup is natural. However, it becomes a problem when sadness becomes debilitating and interferes with your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and overall quality of life. This is why seeking professional help with a therapist skilled in treating depression may be one of the best decisions you make for your mental health.

Depression Is Rooted In Both Collective and Individual Trauma

Historical traumas have affected communities and generations and led to a sense of collective pain. This pain is passed down through generations and can sometimes manifest as depression. Systemic oppression carries tremendous stressors that can lead to depression. Experiencing police violence, poverty, sexual assault, harassment, and employment discrimination have profound impacts on our mood and mental well-being.  

Interpersonal traumas, ranging from childhood abuse or neglect to the loss of loved ones, family estrangement, bullying, and having a family member with addiction or mental illness, can inflict severe emotional distress and overwhelm. Depression is often rooted in early experiences of insufficient emotional availability or relational disruptions. This can lead us to feel emotionally empty and incomplete. We can blame ourselves for these experiences of deprivation and neglect, believing that it was caused by our own “inner badness.”

depression

Therapy For Depression Can Support Your Healing From Painful Experiences

Living with depression can feel like there’s a weight on your shoulders that doesn’t ease up. We can create a safe space so that you do not feel so alone and can address the root causes of your suffering. 

Counseling for depression will teach you greater self-awareness and steadiness in the face of depression so you can recognize and stop self-destructive patterns. We will strive to help you gain the ability to notice when patterns are being triggered and choose healthier ways to respond. 

The therapeutic relationship can provide a sense of safety and support that aids in your healing process. You can get to know yourself on a deeper level. Through this process, you can feel comfortable expressing yourself, knowing you are heard, seen, and worthy.

  • There's always the chance that therapy won't provide you with the relief you are seeking. It is a risk and leap of faith. But, I deeply believe in the power and potential of this process. Years of strong evidence show that therapy is effective and beneficial for treating depression. I encourage you to give it a try and see how it feels.

  • Therapy is a financial investment that has the potential to radically change your life in positive ways. You are worth it! It may help to think of it as similar to enrolling in a training program or choosing to have a much-needed surgery. It won’t be forever. It may require a sacrifice now, but the payoff is lifelong.

  • Depression has unconscious reasons for its existence. We need the guidance and ear of a trained mental health professional to understand and address the deeper issues. We have an unconscious mind that drives much of our behavior, thoughts, and feelings, and we need someone trained to help us gain insight and awareness into ourselves, in order to break through patterns underlying the depression.

Maybe You Are Considering Depression Therapy, But Still Have A Few Questions…

Don’t Give Up. Don’t Ever Give Up.

Struggling with feelings of worthlessness, sadness, and despair is not the kind of life anyone should get used to living. Seeking out depression therapy can help restore self-love and acceptance and put your mind and heart at ease.

To experience this, please call  920.215.1254, email, or contact me to schedule a 30-minute complimentary phone or video consultation to find out how depression therapy can help you. I look forward to hearing from you.