Christian Counseling for Depression

Depression (or Major Depressive Disorder) is a serious but common mental disorder that affects the mind, emotions, body, and behaviors. Currently, about one in fifteen people experience symptoms of depression in a year, and one in six in a lifetime. Because it is so widespread, counselors are familiar with treating it. In therapy, a counselor does a thorough assessment to determine if depression is present when a client begins counseling. Depression symptoms can greatly affect one’s daily life.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Feeling sad often or having a depressed mood
• Having self-deprecating thoughts or feeling purposeless
• A feeling of Hopelessness
• Isolation/withdrawal
• Lack of interest in things someone usually enjoyed
• Suicidal Ideation or thoughts of death
• Extreme irritability
• Feeling tired/ struggling with sleep/lack of energy
• Appetite changes (increases and decreases in weight)
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Excessive Crying

To receive a diagnosis of Major Depressive Disorder, five or more symptoms must occur for at least two weeks, and at least one of the symptoms should be depressed mood or loss of interest. It can range from mild to severe, a one-time experience or chronic. Though depression is serious and cannot be ignored, it is treatable. Christian counselors in Laguna may employa variety of interventions from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Psychoanalytic Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or Interpersonal Therapy.Often people will seek medication as a part of their therapy, as well, which can be effective.

Though there are many things a person can do if feeling depressed (like exercise, getting outside, spending time with close others, and doing things one enjoys), a person should seek therapy if they cannot manage their depression or it continues to worsen. It is possible to learn how to manage and even overcome depression, but it requires courage to reach out to a counselor for help.

If you are suffering from depression, call us at Laguna Christian Counseling, or contact us online to begin your journey of healing and hope.