Depression Counseling Prior Lake, MN
Counseling for depression
Overcome depression & rediscover joy
If you’re battling depression, you may be feeling numb, apathetic, and hopeless. You have tasks you know “should” be getting done but you can’t seem to find the motivation to get them completed. You respond by getting down on yourself which has you feeling even worse about yourself and your abilities; leaving you stuck in the vicious cycle of depression.
You’re having thoughts of “I don’t want to do this anymore” and/or “I’m never going to get out of this”. You may find you’re sleeping too much in attempts to escape the pain and sadness that’s often paired with depression. Or you may not be sleeping enough in attempts to postpone the next day because you know it only holds the same hurdles as the last.
You’re tired of feeling this way, you want things to look different, but you don’t know where to start. Guess what? In finding yourself on this page, you’ve already started working towards change! I’m proud of you for being here and taking this first step!
Whether this depression developed from a life changing event, such as navigating a difficult divorce (visit my divorce grief counseling speciality page to learn more if this is your current situation), or it’s been something you’ve battled for years, there is hope. With my guidance, we will intervene and challenge unhelpful thought patterns that are keeping you stuck, as well as use various skills/strategies to assist you in rediscovering joy and reclaiming your life.
Common Questions about depression
“Is it possible to have never struggled with Depression until experiencing a life changing event?”
Yes, absolutely! This is very common and can be one of the most frustrating parts of depression. Similar to anxiety, it situations like these, where you may find yourself questioning how it's possible or simply highlighting the fact that you’ve never struggled with depression (or any other mental illness) until you started navigating the life transition (whether it’s a divorce or grieving the loss of a loved one).
This, often times, is the first thing you and I will process through. I will guide you through identifying your unique triggers of depression, how depression is manifesting, and its impact(s) on your daily functioning. From there, you will be provided with various tools/skills/strategies to begin reducing and managing depression despite never having a history of mental health challenges.
If you are experiencing this, know you are not alone. Many life altering events (or life transitions) can trigger mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression. This is a typical response and can be managed with a little help from a professional; such as yours truly!
“Is taking medication the only way to treat or reduce depression?”
No! Absolutely not. Can medication be helpful? Of course. Is it 100% needed to manage depression or any other mental health battle? No, not always. Let me explain. There are organic approaches to managing depression such as grounding techniques or (with the guidance of a therapist) working on rewriting problematic narratives. However, some may experience a more severe level of depression; resulting in a chemical imbalance in the brain. In situations like these, the organic approaches described above may not be enough so medication (such as SSRIs or antidepressants) can be beneficial in assisting you to reduce and manage depression.
I am a strong believer in medication needs to be paired with therapy for best results. Will medication alone be helpful? Sure. Is it what’s most sustainable long term? Not always. Most who are on medication don’t want to be on it “forever”. Pairing talk therapy with a licensed therapist/counselor while taking medication is the best recipe for reducing and managing depression; allowing you to live a better life as your best self.
It should be noted, it is YOUR decision whether or not you want to take medication. If we are working together and it’s something I believe may help your process, we will explore it. However, you get to choose if medication is the route you would like to take while working together. When working with me, it is not a prerequisite for depression counseling!
“Brittany has a great passion for guiding others through their grief journey! She is caring, knowledgeable, empathic and respectful!”
Counseling for depression can help you…
Understand why depression is something you battle
Identify what regularly triggers the depression
Regain control of your mood and feel reenergized to tackle your day
Improve your self-confidence and outlook on life
Gain confidence in your ability to manage depression; allowing you to live a fulfilled life
Rediscover joy and happiness
Let's work through this together to begin instilling hope in you to live a better life as your best self! The life described above IS possible.
Let’s being navigating Depression together
If you’re ready to find hope in the midst of the depression you experience, then I’d love to connect. Schedule a free phone consultation so we can discuss your questions and identify your next steps in instilling hope in your ability to manage and overcome depression.