Depression

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

The Lord heals the brokenhearted and offers peace in times of trouble. But, when dealing with depression, feelings of hopelessness can overshadow your faith. If you feel stuck in darkness, and are tired of living a life that lacks real meaning and connection with others and with God, Christian counseling for depression can help.

Do I Have Depression?

Living with depression can affect people differently. For some, they might feel general sadness and difficulty concentrating. For others, depression can be so severe that they feel crushed by it, and might even struggle with suicidal thoughts. If you think you might have depression, it’s important to get help right away. One thing about depression is it can sneak up on you, and go from bad to worse before you know it. Even if your symptoms seem mild, it’s best to address the problem sooner rather than later so you get the relief you need.

Symptoms of depression include:

• Insomnia or excessive sleeping
• Difficulty concentrating and memory problems
• Fatigue
• Feeling of hopelessness
• Irritability
• Loss of interest in hobbies and low motivation
• Overeating or loss of appetite
• Persistent aches, headaches, and digestive issues
• Thoughts of suicide

No matter how severe your depression might seem, the Lord is strong and full of merciful. He will carry you during times of darkness, bringing you into His healing and strength. Christian counseling for depression is an ally against the troubles of this world, one that will help you overcome any challenge that keeps you from living a Christ-filled life.

Are There Different Types of Depression?

Depression is caused by different things and can affect people in different ways. Because these things can vary so greatly, depression comes in several different forms. For example, 10-15% of women develop postpartum depression. Determining which type of depression you struggle with will help us better understand your story and what needs to be done for healing.

Major Depression can severely limit your ability to live fully, affecting about 16 million adults in the U.S. each year.

Types of depression include:

• Major depression
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Bipolar depression
• Seasonal affective disorder
• Postpartum depression
• Situational depression
• Atypical depression

At Seattle Christian Counseling, our depression counselors are experienced in treating all kinds of depression; developing client-centered plans for treatment that focus on the story and needs of each person.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:2

The above scripture is what we strive to embody as Christian counselors. We understand the burden of depression, some of us having experienced it ourselves. Our hope is to walk with you exactly as you are and to let you know that it’s okay to feel what you’re feeling – and to offer hope for relief and healing. While working at your own pace, we will look for ways to bring you out of the darkness, so you can seek the light of Christ in your own time and your own way. We all experience life differently. That includes or struggles as well as our faith. As client-centered Christian counselors, your unique story, needs, and beliefs are always supported and encouraged.

Can Therapy Cure Depression?

Counseling has proven very effective for treating depression. In fact, after 16 weeks of therapy, 58% of clients respond well to treatment, and up to 40% say they are in remission and that’s just for secular counseling. Christian depression counseling offers even better results because it looks to healing of the whole person including the mind, body, and spirit. With Christ as your healer, a little faith can make all the difference. We are honored to act as vessels for his love, mercy, and healing.

Other benefits to Christian Counseling for Depression include:

• Learning how to control negative thoughts and behaviors.
• Find relief from the physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms of depression.
• Identifying and dealing with the causes of your depression.
• Finding support through faith and proven counseling methods.
• Gaining a safe place to express your emotions, concerns, and hopes for the future.
• Learning how to build better, healthier relationships.
• Offering ways to express your emotions in a healthy, constructive way.

God can work miracles in your life in so many ways. As a faith-based association of counselors, we believe that much can be achieved through faith, prayer, and studying God’s word. So, can therapy cure depression? We know it can and we are so thankful for being able to witness the work of the Lord first hand, time and time again.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

At Seattle Christian Counseling, supporting people in their time of need and helping them heal is what we are all about. With Christ as the foundation for recovery, we pull from a variety of treatment methods including various forms of therapy, support groups, exercise, nutrition, and anti-depressants when needed. Our goal is to help you better understand the triggers that fuel your depression, so you can gain more control over your moods and behavior.

Some things to expect in Christian depression counseling includes:

• A safe, compassionate place to share your story and better know and connect with yourself, others, and with God.
• Faith-based tools for recovery so you have everything at your disposal for lasting, positive change.
• Skilled, dedicated professionals who will work for you and with you towards reaching your goals for depression recovery.
• Client-centered treatment methods that always put your needs and values first.

How is Depression Treated?

Depression treatment differs from person to person depending the type of depression, severity of symptoms, and goals for recovery. As a faith-based association of counselors, we combine prayer, bible study, and faith in the grace of God with evidence-based counseling methods including:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – CBT helps people better manage harmful thoughts and behaviors by becoming more aware of how thought, emotions, and actions might contribute to depression. From there, the counselor will help you replace negative, sometimes unrealistic perceptions with positive, healthy ones.
• Interpersonal Psychotherapy – IPT is focused on depression and relationships by addressing conflict and how you relate to those around you, including family, friends, and romantic partners.
• Psychodynamic Therapy – This form of therapy delves into the root cause of your depression by learning more about yourself and working through issues in your past and your relationships. The goal is to help you move past self-blame or guilt while understanding why you behave as you do, so you can move forward with your life.

Don’t let depression become a normal way of life that you feel stuck in. There is help out there for you. Can you imagine how freeing it will be to be rid of the heavy chains of depression; to live a life made whole and new in Christ?! Our dedicated counselors can help you succeed even beyond what you think is possible.

Are you ready to build a new life? Contact us today to schedule your risk-free initial session*.

To learn more about Christian counseling for depression or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 206-388-3929 or Contact us Online.