Depression | Elle Michel Psychotherapy

What is depression?

Depression is a psychological state in which a person feels perpetually low, stuck, or numb. Depression is diagnosed when the depressed mood is accompanied by changes in appetite, sleep, concentration, or ability to function in day-to-day activities.

What causes depression?

Depression can be caused by many things. Some people experience depression after going through a traumatic event. Others experience depression when they are experiencing problems in their close social relationships. Others may experience depression as triggered by a physiological experience, such as pregnancy.

How is depression treated?

Depression is treated most effectively by talk and somatic therapy. Through therapy we can get to the root of what is causing the depression and then problem solve to help alleviate the depression. It’s important to remember that because depression can be caused by a variety of circumstances, it can also be treated in a variety of ways.

Additional treatments for depression

Some people find EMDR or Brainspotting very helpful in alleviating their depression. Sometimes psychiatric medication is also used to treat depression. Medication is prescribed by a psychiatrist, not a therapist or a psychologist. If I think that medication could be helpful in treating your depression, I will talk to you about it and refer you to a trusted psychiatrist.

Is there hope for me?

Yes! While depression is unfortunately very common, it’s also very treatable. I have helped many of my clients successfully recover from depression by identifying the root causes of their depression and working on eliminating those causes. I encourage you to give therapy a try if you’re struggling with depression.

What does the research say?