Depression Counseling
Are you sad and don’t know why?
Are you having difficulty sleeping at night and feel as if you are living in a fog?
Do you appear to be on top of things and have everything together when you are screaming on the inside? Do you find yourself questioning your faith?
Does time pass quickly and you don’t know why? Perhaps you are moving slower and you are wondering why everyone else is moving faster than you.
Do you want to complete everyday tasks but simply can’t and find yourself asking God why you feel this way?
It’s not just one situation or circumstance that causes sadness. It’s a combination of both which results in the loss of energy and loss of libido. You find yourself not wanting to do normal everyday activities because you are feeling numb throughout your day. You are moving or talking more slowly. Cooking and cleaning seems like easy tasks yet you just can’t get it done because of decreased energy or fatigue. You may have lost interest in hobbies and activities you used to enjoy. You may have had a hard time concentrating, remembering, or making decisions. You may find yourself persistently sad, anxious, or feeling empty. Life is viewed through a pessimistic mindset, and you find yourself becoming easily irritated by others. Perhaps there are feelings of guilt, worthlessness, helplessness, and hopelessness which has led to thoughts of suicide. Perhaps your body is experiencing aches and pains, headaches, or digestive problems without a clear physical cause. Perhaps you are experiencing appetite or weight changes. In order to feel better, it is not uncommon to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol. You feel alone as if no one understands.
This kind of sadness can go from minor to severe; it affects how you think, feel and act. For you, everything is an act and you constantly feel like you are drowning. Those close to you have a hard time understanding why you just can’t snap out of it. As a result, you push people away because of feelings of guilt or the possibility of letting people down. You don’t want those you love to leave, but you don’t know how to communicate it effectively.
You wish they knew you don’t want to be sad.
You wish they knew you’re not weak.
You wish they knew small achievements are actually big achievements.
You wish they knew you appreciate kind words and help from others.
You wish they knew good days are also mixed with bad days.
You may not remember the last time you felt truly loved and supported. Do you wish you knew how to be hopeful and happy day to day?
Many People Suffer With Depression
Depression can make you feel as if you are the only one who struggles with it. However, 6.2 million Americans adults have experienced depression symptoms at least once a year. It occurs equally among both women and men and is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. Depression is not always caused by grief or loss. It can also be caused by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors. Depression can be triggered by a life event or even a season of the year.
Depression can happen at any age. Not everyone experiences all of the symptoms of depression. Persistent symptoms along with low mood would lead to a diagnosis of depression. The severity and longevity of the symptoms is determined by the individual and stage of the illness.
Depression symptoms are also tied to be a co-partner with someone experiencing physical illnesses. Having someone who understands the complexity of your experience can make all the difference.
With the help of a counselor, you can discover yourself and enjoy a life of peace and hopefulness.
Depression Treatment Can Help You Get Out of the Fog
I assist people with getting to the root of depression and overcoming the causes of their sadness. Sessions provide a holistic approach to get the root of the matter and provide the necessary tools to remove depression from your life. I help lift the dark cloud that doesn’t seem to go away. Whether you have been dealing with depression for 2 weeks or 2 years, we will walk the healing journey together.
The counseling sessions are a place of hope where the whole person – Spirit, Soul, Body – is addressed. Our sessions put the topic of faith front and center. We will explore life events that led to the depression. A complete analysis of emotional, medical, psychological, and spiritual history will be explored in order to address most urgent needs to get to the core of the problem.
In the initial counseling session, we will discuss the reason for seeking therapy and get acquainted with one another. A 10-minute questionnaire will be completed which assists in catering the sessions for your specific need. We will discuss any questions or reservations you may have about therapy as your comfort level is of the utmost importance. It is important you feel safe and know you are in a place of healing.
The second session will be a continuation of the first where we will further discuss family, health, and spiritual history. We’ll also discuss any insights gained in the previous session. After having a better understanding of the issues, we will discuss course of treatment. Depending on your needs, therapy can be short-term for a specific issue or long-term for more difficult patterns or your desire for personal development. Short term treatment could be a situation where you have experienced a loss of a job and are feeling sad as a result. Long term treatment could entail alcohol and drug treatment which are linked to depression. It is common to schedule weekly sessions for therapy.
In the following counseling sessions, we will explore new productive ways in which you can get your temperament needs met. We will also uncover false beliefs about God and ourselves and replace them with God’s truth. Counseling sessions will embody:
· The strengths God has given you
· God’s love for you and who you are in Christ
· Your needs specific to your temperament and how to meet those in healthy ways
A Christian-centered method is used that will utilize a plan of action designed to fit your personal needs. Variables such as age, understanding, temperament, spiritual level, and past or present life issues are considered. There is no set formula as the sessions are individually personalized for you.
One person may need to vent and get things off of their chest. You may need to discuss negative thought patterns and discuss how to exchange the negative for positive responses. Another counseling session may be for you to do self-examination to determine motives and ideas behind your behavior. The sessions will consist of me reminding you of your value and skills to solve problems.
In order to get results in therapy, you must be an active participant in the process. The ultimate goal of therapy is for you to bring into your life what you are doing in therapy. So within the sessions, I may suggest resources to look at and activities to do outside of therapy. These can include reading a book, journaling, noting specific behaviors, or taking action with certain relationships you have in your life.
We will make discoveries through the tool of Temperament Therapy which refers to your natural traits and tendencies. It has nothing to do with your level of maturity. It has to do with who you are apart from problems. It is you at your core. Temperament Therapy allows your full potential to be reached. Using Temperament Therapy, I will gain insight into your behavior tendencies and use that assessment to help you understand your inborn temperament. Since the assessment measures the strengths and weaknesses within your temperament, it can help you with personal growth issues and improving relationship dynamics. This information is gathered at the beginning of our sessions together.
I have been working with clients in the area of depression and have seen that no matter how difficult things are presently, there is a path to hope and healing. I am a Certified Christian Counselor through the National Christian Counseling Association (NCCA) and have a ministerial license through Living Word International Christian Church (LWICC).
I am also a survivor of depression. For over 20 years, I suffered with depression. Once I began to have a better realization of who I was and my identity, the depression eventually lifted. No matter how long you have struggled with depression, you can feel better.
Maybe You’re Considering Depression Treatment but Have Some Concerns
I don’t believe in counseling.
Mental health is just as debilitating as any other disease. But like any other disease, ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. Counseling provides an avenue for healing.
I’m not sure if I can travel to your office.
The office is conveniently located at 1009 Frederick Rd; Catonsville, MD 21228. Transportation can be made by car as well as public transportation. The office is located close to Route 40 and close to the Catonsville Exit by 695. It is ten minutes from Historic Ellicott City.
Face to Face, Virtual Sessions, and Support group sessions are offered at private pay cost. Weekend and evening hours are available.
How much does this cost?
While I do not bill for insurance, you may be entitled to reimbursement by your insurance company. A Superbill can be provided for you to submit to your insurance company if requested. FSA and HSA are also accepted as forms of payment.
You Can Feel Better and Have Hope
If you are ready to feel excited about what the day will bring or feel encouraged about life, I invite you to schedule an appointment:
· You can call 443-860-6870.
· Email elishaslee@counselingmail.com
· Click on the Online Scheduler on the upper left-hand corner of the website.
Testimonial:
“As the CEO of Life Ministry Foundation, I am very impressed with Min Elisha Lee’s handling of clients, as well as, the client’s privacy. She is compassionate, encouraging, understanding of their needs and keeps the confidentially of the client safe. Her love for helping people makes them feel that they are not alone. These are very importance skills to have when working with clients that have special needs. Due to her work ethics, I will continue to refer my clients to Min. Lee.” Pamela Price LM Foundation