It cancause feelings of sadnessand a loss of interest or pleasure in things you once enjoyed.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Many experts will go this route prior to trying medication.
Verywell
Before moving forward, its important to understand thedifferences between counseling and psychotherapy.
The terms “psychotherapy” and “counseling” are often used interchangeably.
You may be asked to do homework that extends the learning from the counseling sessions.
Often, this is in the form of tracking moods and feelings.
That’s why CBT has been a useful model to use in counseling sessions.
The focus is goal-oriented, with you, the patient, taking an active role.
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Its important to be patient and open to the process.
If youre not sure where to look, a good place to start is with your doctor.
you’re able to also contact any larger mental health facilities in your area.
Many of them have online directories that allow you to search for mental health experts in your area.
Finally, spend some time researching the experts in your area.
Go online and read their bios.
Send an email asking for more information about their preferred forms of treatment and how they interact with clients.
Many therapists offer a free intro session to see if it is a good fit.
Find out if they offer a free trial session and give it a try.
One other form of counseling to consider, especially for more mild forms of depression, isonline therapy.
Summary
Living with depression can feel overwhelming at times.
Counseling can also help you learn new coping skills and techniques to better manage the symptoms.
Short-term counseling, which typically lasts less than six months, is often appropriate for mild to moderate depression.
Finding someone you trust and feel comfortable opening up to is critical in the success of the counseling process.
National Institute of Health.Major Depression.
American Psychiatric Association.What Is Depression?.
National Alliance on Mental Illness.Depression.
Driessen E, Hollon S.Cognitive behavioral therapy for mood disorders: efficacy, moderators and mediators.Psychiatr Clin North Am.
2016;173(7):680-687. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.15091141
