I am depressed but I am afraid to tell anyone because I don’t want to be on meds. What should I do?

This is a common concern of many of my clients who experience recurring or prolonged depression. Either they have tried antidepressants in the past and found them either not helpful or having side effects that were more bothersome than the depression or they prefer natural remedies. My reply starts with “I am not a doctor, and I cannot prescribe medication.” Medication is just one method of treating depression. While I may refer a client to a physician if their symptoms are severe, generally this is not necessary. Instead, I use techniques to help the client improve their mental health. This can include identifying past traumatic memories that have not been processed and are therefore weighing the person down. Or for some people, the depression serves a positive purpose, or has served a positive purpose in the past. For example, a teen who gets bullied may develop depression to stay under the radar of their peers. Another common source of depression is the self-critic - that voice inside our heads that tells us we are not good enough, we failed, or we will never measure up. Getting to know our self-critic and learning to not believe everything it says can be a transformational experience. The key is when we begin to understand why and how the depression began, we can begin to find a way to heal it. This seldom requires years of therapy. Many times the client begins to notice a shift after just a couple of sessions. I don’t want clients to rely on me for their healing. I believe that they have it within themselves to find a way out of those dark places. So I teach techniques that help them find their own compass and map, tools that can be used long after their time with me has ended. If you would like to begin the journey out of depression, call or sign up for a free initial consultation today. 832-534-3624 or https://onlinecounselingtx.clientsecure.me/