Depression Counseling near me
Are you struggling to find joy or motivation in any activity or area of your life? Do you feel helpless, isolated, or defeated? These are common symptoms of depression, which can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender or background. It is important to remember that depression is not a sign of weakness or failure, but rather a serious mental health condition that requires professional help.
We are glad that you are here because at VDC- Counseling, we understand how difficult it can be to reach out for support, but we want you to know that you are not alone. Our experienced depression therapists can provide you with the guidance and tools that you need to overcome depression and find hope and joy in your life again.
Depression counseling is the right choice because asking for help is a strength that we understand and value. What makes VDC-Counseling Services different from other traditional depression counseling therapy, is that our approach will consider every case as unique and give you individual attention in a close, warm, compassionate therapeutical relationship. You will be helped to tap into your story, to find your strength and to overcome your difficulties.
Depression is the most common mental disorder in the United States. Nonetheless, it is a serious mental health diagnosis that can deeply affect several aspects of your life.
Overcoming depression is possible and it starts now. You will experience positive changes in several aspects of your life, personal, familiar and professional. You will regain the control on what you want your life to be and live it to the fullest.
How common is depression treatment?
Individuals seeking help for depression counseling in Arlington, VA might be more common than you think. According to the National Institute of Mental Health :
An estimated 19.4 million adults in the United States have had at least one major depressive episode. This number represents 7.8% of all U.S. adults.
The prevalence of major depressive episodes is higher among adult females (9.6%) compared to males (6.0%).
The age range for adults most like to experience a major depressive episode is 18-25 (15.2%).
Everybody can be affected by MDD regardless of gender, age, social-economic status, race, etc. While certain causes of depression are unknown, several theories consider individual genetics and/or environmental conditions as factors. Its triggers can be a range of things. From adverse life circumstances to being connected to other mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, developmental trauma, and others. It affects your entire life – professionally and personally.
What is depression counseling?
Depression has many possible symptoms which can make it seem even more overwhelming. These symptoms cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas. The depression counseling is the designed therapy to help individuals to overcome their difficulties and struggles. Whether the therapist uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Gestalt, IFS or EMDR, the counseling is typically provided by a licensed mental health professional, such as a licensed professional counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or social worker.
During depression therapy, the therapist works with the client to identify the underlying causes of their depression and develop strategies to manage and reduce symptoms. This may include exploring negative thought patterns, addressing past traumas or life events that may be contributing to depression, and teaching coping skills and relaxation techniques.
Left depression untreated can turn into Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).
MDD has a specific set of requirements before being ruled as a diagnosis. MDD is described as a period of at least two weeks when a person experiences a depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. It can also have five (or more) of the following symptoms:
Feeling sad, empty, hopeless
Insomnia or hypersomnia
Significant weight loss or gain
Feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt
Fatigue or loss of energy
Diminished ability to think or concentrate
Recurrent thoughts of death
What is the best depression treatment in Arlington, VA and/or Alexandria VA?
There are several effective ways to treat depression and various therapeutical approaches have proven to be effective such as CBT, EMDR, and IFS. With these forms of treatment, we are able to provide you with a tailored approach to your needs. However, the number one indicator of a positive therapy outcome is the relationship with your depression therapist. So, it is a matter of finding the right counselor for you.
Start working on your depression therapy today.
If you feel like you might be suffering depressive symptoms it is important that you get immediate help and get into depression treatment with the right depression therapist in Arlington, VA or Alexandria VA.
There are things that you can start doing on your own. Here are some practical tips that can be used to help fight against depression.
Value positive events. Take notice and focus on the positive even in your life. As well as your own positive qualities. Try keeping a positive journal or diary.
Be kind to yourself. Show yourself compassion. Don’t punish yourself, don’t judge yourself, and don’t criticize yourself for being depressed. Treat yourself with kindness, as you would a loved one. Allow yourself to feel bad and listen to your suffering and pain. Try to make sense of it all.
Live in the present. Be mindful. Most of our disturbing emotions derive from the fact that we focus our attention on thoughts that do not belong to the sphere of the present. However, they do belong in the past and/or future. Living in the present means listening to your body and focusing on the activities that you are experiencing at that moment.
Cultivate social relationships. Do not stop seeing and hearing from your friends and relatives. Be in social relationships with assertiveness, express your opinions, your emotions, and your needs without stepping on others. Include yourself.
Maintain regular enjoyable activities. At first, it may be very tiring due to apathy and anhedonia. However, you will see that the usefulness and pleasure in carrying out the activity is in itself a positive reinforcement, and the sense of mastery in carrying out that activity will bring increased self-esteem.
Healthy nutrition. Following a healthy diet is the basis for general well-being. Specifically for depression, you need to supplement your diet with foods that raise serotonin.
Regularizing sleep. Avoid sleeping more than 8 hours a day. Depression generally brings with it disabling, insomnia, sleepiness, and a feeling of fatigue and being tired. Sleeping too much reinforces the depression.
Non-catastrophic thinking. When you are depressed, you have a tendency to amplify your feelings and experiences related to external events, and being "catastrophic" unfortunately reinforces the depression.
Don't ruminate. A peculiar symptom of depression is rumination. Most people ruminate because they have the belief that this mental operation can be a problem-solving strategy, a tool for not “feeling” emotions, or that through it they can feel better.
Should you contact a depression therapist in Arlington, VA?
Interestingly, there is stigma and shame connected with this very common mental health diagnosis. A lot of people consider being vulnerable as a sign of weakness or defectiveness. Some people believe that it is just “sadness”, and that the individual should “just get over it”. Others believe that depression is a result of an “overly concerned individual”.
While it is possible to overcome MDD, research shows that the best course of action is to ask for and receive the help of a professional therapist specialized in depression treatment.
At VDC Counseling we have helped several clients who were brave enough to ask for help. Our offices provide the best treatment for Alexandria depression counseling and Arlington depression treatment for those who are suffering and need of individual therapy. We can relate with kindness and offer a judgment-free, safe space while validating your feelings. We will help you overcome your internal barriers while achieving a favorable outcome.
Our depression therapists in Arlington, VA will guide you through your pain to find joy in your life again. Let’s work together while caring for your well-being and making your journey more bearable.
Ready to start?
If you feel like you are struggling with the symptoms of depression, you don't have to deal with your struggles alone. With the support of a depression therapist, you don’t have to keep living with these symptoms. At VDC Counseling in Arlington, VA we believe changes do not just happen. When you’re ready to get started, we are ready to assist.
Schedule here an appointment and meet a depression counseling near me.
Begin your healing process and begin to see the change in your life!
Other services offered by VDC Counseling Services in Arlington, VA.
Arlington VA counseling for depression isn’t the only service we offer. We have a caring Arlington VA therapist who can help with anxiety treatment, trauma therapy, and EMDR therapy. As well as therapy for burnout and stress plus individual therapy for work-life balance. With therapy appointments in Italian and English. Not located near Arlington, VA? That’s okay. We offer an Alexandria Depression counseling and online therapy in Virginia and Maryland.
Contact us today to see how we can help you begin your healing process.
