On the outside, you seem to have it all, but deep down you’ve been battling with depression for quite some time.

Maybe you’re facing pressure from outside to look like you have it all together – to appear “perfect” for those who rely on you or those who have been inspired by you. Perhaps you’re afraid to expose your mental health issues, you tend to be more private. Or, maybe you tried to be open but you felt misunderstood, leaving you feeling even more empty and hopeless.

Now, you find yourself in silence and alone wondering how you can face and heal from depression. It’s time. You need help. 

Depression is treatable! Even though you might feel skeptical, I’ve witnessed over and over again people facing depression and coming to a place living with joy, feeling more alive and connected to their authentic feelings, and investing themselves in something that has meaning or they’re passionate about.

However, the deceiving nature of depression – when you’re stuck in a dark and feeling alone in it – may not allow you to see beyond that emotional state.  

Depression is more common than people are aware. Yet, again, the deceiving nature of depression may make you believe you are alone and it’s all hopeless.

No!, you are not alone. Many battle with depressions. Many chose to seek treatment. Many are facing similar struggles as you are.

Reality is that you can find help and support to help you face depression. You can turn this challenge into a healing journey to learn and grow from and inspire others to do that same.

Yes, you need help. Seeking professional help it’s the first courageous step into your recovery. Finding the right psychotherapist can make all the difference right now.

Psychotherapy offers the necessary support

A support system is essential to overcoming depression. Depression doesn’t just simply fade away. To heal from depression you may need to:

• heal old trauma
• shift unhealthy patterns
• Work through internal conflicts that are keeping you stuck in that dark place
• create more fulfilling experiences
• find healthier coping strategies to navigate current life stress and challenges
• let go of unhealthy relationships and find connections that are good for you
• reconnect with your innate gifts
• rediscover your talents and skills
• get back in touch with your sense of agency
• reconnect with you creativity
• reconnect with repressed and denied challenging feelings that are keeping your affect flat
• rediscover your ability to feel all the feelings that makes you feel alive and human
• shift from believes that are holding you back to believes that moves you forward

Yes, it can take a lot to heal from depression. But, yes you can. A therapist with specific training and compassionate guidance understands the specifics of your depression, the roots of, and your unique story. They will listen to you and create a safe place to work things through without pressure to “get over it” but by creating a healing emotional environment that is attuned to you. 

Psychotherapy supports a more mindful life

Therapy often encourages mindfulness practices and self-awareness. Why? Being more present and mindful can prevent the withdrawal and powerlessness typical of depression.

By paying attention to your beliefs and emotions without judgment and sharing them openly in session, you can stay in the present and to the work. Healing happens in the present.

While we work through and let go of what belongs in the past, the actual transformation occurs in the now. 

Psychotherapy encourages you to identify the root cause(s)

Deep down maybe you know exactly how your depression began. Or, maybe you feel as though you’ve always been depressed. There are a variety of factors that contribute to your own depression. Your symptoms of depression may be the result of multiple layers of emotionally painful experiences  or just one traumatic event.

To uncover the root of the different depressive thoughts, feelings, and beliefs it can be intense and involves a solid relationship with your therapist. The psychotherapeutic relationship is part of your healing journey.

It’s the depth and the authenticity of the healing relationships that will make a big difference in your recovery.  

The relationship with your therapist – where you feel safe, and accepted, protected – so you can bring forward all the parts of you that need to be seen, heard, and acknowledged. A relationship that is attuned to you and in which you can bring forward the difficult and maybe scary conversations – so necessary for your growth.

Psychotherapy encourages self-compassion

Depression is a ruthless, seductive liar. If you believe it’s persistent lies about your worthlessness or powerlessness you may turn on yourself with a myriad of self-defeating patterns, feelings, and beliefs. Tapping into therapy sooner than later is invaluable for interrupting harsh, self-blaming, and self-criticism talk.

With intentionality and consistency, your therapist will help you reconnect with your self-compassion and your beautifully imperfect humanity. As you work together, you’ll be able to tap into yourself with a more holistic degree of honesty about who you are.

In time, you’ll feel more whole, more connected to your authentic self, and more grounded in your own talents, strengths, and humane limitations.

That is a very different place to step into your life – with a sense of wholeness and groundedness in all that you are you can navigate your life challenges and create a different story. 

The broken and hopeless self it will be just history…

Take the Next Step…

Talking about your depression in an emotionally healing environment provides mental space for you to do the challenging but so rewarding emotional work.  Being able to cope and enjoy your life on your terms is a journey worth taking

To set an appointment for psychotherapy please contact me for your 15-20 min free phone consultation.

I am Mihaela Ivan Holtz, Doctor in Clinical Psychology. I help creatives and performers with their life struggles, depression, anxiety, performance anxiety, creativity, relationships and love, PTSD, and addictions – to become their own best version.  You can read more about therapy on my depression treatment page.