Berkeley Depression Help Psychotherapist

You deserve happiness in your life. Although it's normal to feel down at times, it's not normal to frequently feel overwhelming sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness.

Unfortunately, depression is often ignored or untreated. The helplessness, hopelessness, and negative thinking that characterize depression can make it very difficult to take the steps you need to heal. Or others may tell you that you should snap out of it or pull yourself up by your bootstraps. But depression, like other serious medical problems, needs to be treated and there are effective treatments available.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, 1 in 10 American adults –– or approximately 21 million people –– suffer from a depressive illness each year. You are not alone, and psychotherapy is an important part of effective treatment for depression and the feelings of overwhelming sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness that accompany it.

The following are common symptoms of depression and you should seek help if they persist for at least six months, or occur for no obvious reason such as loss of a loved one or a difficult change in your life.

• Feeling hopeless, sad, discouraged, or empty
• Loss of interest or pleasure in friends, family, hobbies, or sex
• Appetite or weight changes
• Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, waking up too early, or oversleeping
• Feeling either extremely restless or low energy
• Feeling physically drained by even the smallest task
• Self-loathing, strong feelings of worthlessness, guilt, and self-criticism
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Thoughts of death or suicide
• Irritation at little things, angry outbursts
• Aches and pains such as headaches, backaches, and irritable stomach

Help for Depression in Berkeley

If you are depressed, recovery may be much easier if you have the assistance of a psychotherapist. You will learn how to cope with negative feelings, identify and change distorted thinking patterns, improve your relationships with others, and deal with problems constructively. You may also explore the underlying causes of your depression.

About my practice

Finding a psychotherapist can be filled with both hope and fear – hope to find a therapist who understands and can help you, and fear of feeling judged or not finding relief. In my Berkeley psychotherapy practice I provide a safe and respectful environment to which you can bring your struggles and your strengths.

A good match with a therapist is essential to a successful psychotherapy. I offer a 30-minute free phone consultation where you can describe what you would like help with and decide if I would be helpful to you. You will gain a sense of how comfortable you are talking with me and I can determine how I might be of help to you.

To schedule an appointment in Berkeley call (510) 548-7960 or send me an E-mail.

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