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Boulder Counseling Services:
Helpful Resources for Overcoming Depression
Tips from a Boulder Counselor...
Tired of struggling with depression?
If you're like many of the clients I work with in my Boulder counseling practice,
what overcoming depression may 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
None of us are immune to life's challenges. Transitory states of sadness, grief, anxiety, loneliness 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 resources for depression.
However, online tips do not replace formal psychiatric care and evaluation, nor substitute
for professional counseling services. Disclaimer
Overcoming Depression: A Holistic Approach
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 resources and articles on
useful approaches in each the three levels of depression care.
Physical
Assessing and treating depression at the physical/neurochemical
level may require a psychiatric evaluation and possibly a period of 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.
Mental / Emotional
Addressing unconscious, destructive beliefs, repressed feelings and patterns of
thinking is a central component of overcoming depression.
Mindfulness practices for depression
are an especially helpful addition to a therapeutic process.
As for therapy...
Depending on your situation and preferences, 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 all cases, your therapist should also talk to you about social and community support in your life.
Finally, group therapy is effective in assisting individuals in overcoming depression.
Spiritual Principles / Support
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, genetic propensities for depression are 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.
Selected Articles
Selected tips inspired by my Boulder counseling practice... 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 from a medical/physical/mental standpoint.
A great site with hundreds of pages of valuable information on a mental/physical approach to depression care.
Return Home from a Boulder Counselor's Tips for Overcoming Depression
Matt Laughlin, MA
Psychotherapist
303-929-3353
My Boulder Counseling Practice Location is:
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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Why "Spiritus"?
The Latin word "spiritus" has several meanings, such as spirit, courage, soul, and vigor.
Spiritus is at the core of a transformative counseling process, revealing one's intrinsic potential.
Spiritus Counseling
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