Depression and Anxiety

Depression and anxiety have become the nation’s most common disorders with 18% of the adult population experiencing anxiety and 7% experiencing clinical depression in a given year. Furthermore, over 50% of patients have a relapse of symptoms within a year.
Despite the high rate of incidence, depression and anxiety are highly responsive to psychotherapy treatment. Avoiding relapse involves learning to manage stress in a way that is effective, practical, and easily doable for you.
Despite the high rate of incidence, depression and anxiety are highly responsive to psychotherapy treatment. Avoiding relapse involves learning to manage stress in a way that is effective, practical, and easily doable for you.
My Approach to Treating Depression and Anxiety
Comprehensive Assessment: I begin with a comprehensive assessment that includes not only standard DSM diagnosis, but also consider specific brain-based subtypes of depression/anxiety; relational dynamics that inform choice of treatment; and hormones and other physical factors that may contribute to the symptoms. Beginning with a comprehensive understanding of the psychological, relational, and physiological factors ensures that treatment is focused on the right issues.
Early Treatment: Initially, I focus on examine the thoughts, relationships, and experiences that fuel the depressive and anxious symptoms, and identify more realistic evaluations and beliefs, often through psychoeducation. Depending on the person and specific nature of the concern, I may use a combination of solution-focused, narrative, collaborative, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, or existential therapies.
Later Treatment: Once a client's symptoms have improved, I work with them to prevent a return to depression and anxiety and maintain habits that support life-long psychological and relational wellness. This phase may involve similar therapy models in addition to mindfulness and other forms of stress management.
Early Treatment: Initially, I focus on examine the thoughts, relationships, and experiences that fuel the depressive and anxious symptoms, and identify more realistic evaluations and beliefs, often through psychoeducation. Depending on the person and specific nature of the concern, I may use a combination of solution-focused, narrative, collaborative, cognitive-behavioral, systemic, or existential therapies.
Later Treatment: Once a client's symptoms have improved, I work with them to prevent a return to depression and anxiety and maintain habits that support life-long psychological and relational wellness. This phase may involve similar therapy models in addition to mindfulness and other forms of stress management.
Recommended Readings
Most clients find that reading books on the topics of happiness, depression, and anxiety help support them in addressing their initial symptoms and helping to reinforce new habits that significantly reduce the risk of relapse, which is essential for successful treatment of depression and anxiety.