Boulder Counseling Services:
Resources for Overcoming Depression
Key Tips from a Boulder Therapist
Tired of struggling with depression? If you're like many of the clients I work with in my Boulder counseling and psychotherapy practice, what overcoming depression may really mean to you is realizing... - A genuine sense of meaning and significance in life
- Hopefulness about what's possible for you
- An inner sense of optimism and trust in yourself
- Feeling like your life is valuable and beneficial to others
And, you may seek relief from... - Unbearable social anxiety and loneliness
- Constantly feeling "blah" about everything, even so called "beautiful" things
- Lack of energy or poor sleep
- Feeling inadequate and hopeless about yourself
None of us are immune to life's challenges. Transitory states of sadness, grief and many other difficulties are a universal human experience. Yet, sometimes a chronic depressive state becomes too much to bear and you need help in overcoming depression. The aim of this page is to share free articles and helpful solutions for depression. However, online tips do not replace formal psychiatric care and evaluation, nor substitute for professional counseling services.
(Disclaimer)
The key to successfully overcoming depression is to be willing to adopt an inclusive, holistic approach. What does treating depression holistically look like? Overcoming depression holistically is a very personal and unique process. To paraphrase Jung's comments on working with so called "neurosis" holistically, the important thing is not the depression, but the person who has the depression. Overcoming depression requires a willingness to consider addressing depression on three levels: physical, mental and spiritual. Depending on you and your unique situation, healing from depression may require aspects of one or all of the following levels to be addressed. Below you will find well referenced, FREE articles on useful approaches in each the three levels of depression care. The best way to keep up-to-date on these articles as they are released is to subscribe to Spiritus Counseling Monthly News. It informs you each month about all the new articles and information I have added on this site.
Physical
Assessing and treating depression at the physical/neurochemical level may require a psychiatric evaluation and possibly depression medications for moderate and severe conditions. You may also consider well researched natural remedies for depression, diet and depression interventions, and other alternative medicine-based approaches such as acupuncture. Promising research on exercise and depression suggests one of the most universally helpful things for depression is daily exercise. Insufficient exposure to sunlight has been linked to several health problems, including depression.
Mental/Emotional
Addressing unconscious, destructive beliefs, repressed feelings and patterns of thinking is a central component of overcoming depression.
Mindfulness exercises for depression
are especially helpful.As for therapy... Depending on your preferences and the type of therapist you're working with, a counseling approach may range from a depth oriented therapy - including work with the unconscious, trauma and dream analysis - to a proactive, solution focused coaching model. In both cases, your therapist should also talk to you about social and community support in your life. Finally, you may consider seeking a psychotherapy or support group to help you overcome depression.
Spiritual Values/Principles
A well recognized, uplifting way to help overcome depression is to be of
service to others.
Research confirms that sharing kindness and assistance to people via volunteer organizations, community centers and churches is especially helpful in recovering from depression. You may also consider volunteering to care for animals at your local shelter, or adopting a pet. Studies also verify that owning a pet decreases levels of depression. One of the most time-honored, beneficial approaches to overcoming significant patterns of apathy, guilt, shame, low self-esteem and other clinically depleting emotional states is participation in faith-based, spiritual groups. Very often, depression is linked to alcoholism and other forms of addictions, eating disorders, and dilemmas which all respond exceptionally well to recovery groups that are spiritually inspired. Millions of people have recovered from despondent and hopeless situations through participation in 12 Step programs. Others have turned to attitudinal healing groups, Buddhist meditation/community groups, and recovery programs offered in many Christian denominations. No matter which level is most applicable to you and your situation, the most difficult first step in overcoming depression is the willingness to reach out for help.
FREE ARTICLES
These are packed with helpful approaches many clients have benefited from in my psychotherapy practice in Boulder and Denver. Make sure to read the upcoming articles...
Mental Health Resources
Dr. Ivan's Depression Central:
Dr. Ivan Goldberg, psychiatrist and clinical psychopharmacologist, is an expert on the treatment of depression and other mood disorders. A great site with hundreds of pages of valuable information on the physical and mental levels of depression care.
References
Jung, C. G. (1966). The Practice of Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy and a Philosophy of Life. (Collected Works Vol. 16). Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press
Matt Laughlin, MAPsychotherapist 303-929-3353 Contact me for a FREE 20 min consultation
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My Boulder Counseling Office is located at: 1634 Walnut Street, Suite 111C Boulder, CO 80302 Also serving the following Colorado cities and towns: Arvada, Alma, Aurora, Bennett, Black Hawk, Brighton, Broomfield, Castle Rock, Centennial, Central City, Cherry Hills Village, Columbine Valley, Commerce City, Dacono, Denver, Englewood, Evergreen, Federal Heights, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Frederick, Georgetown, Glendale, Golden, Greeley, Greenwood Village, Idaho Springs, Kiowa, Lafayette, Lakeside, Lakewood, Larkspur, Littleton, Lone Tree, Longmont, Louisville, Lyons, Morrison, Mountain View, Niwot, Northglenn, Parker, Sheridan, Superior, Thornton, Westminster and Wheat Ridge.
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