Services

Depression Therapists

Tampa & St. Petersburg Florida

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues, that affects many. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) considers depression a disability due to the severe impact this mental illness can have on an individual. The symptoms of depression consist of persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Depression can affect someone in many ways, including the way you think, feel, and behave, such as not being able to get out of bed, lack of energy, tearful spells, and so much more.

Depression can make everyday tasks seem overwhelming and difficult, which can have a significant impact on academic or professional performance, relationships, and overall quality of life. Due to the severity of symptomology depression can cause, individuals can turn to substance abuse, eating disorders, and even death if not addressed by the appropriate treatment team. Just like addiction, depression does not discriminate on who it impacts; adolescents, adults, men, women all can struggle with this diagnosis. However, due to the commonality of the disease, depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses with many different types of therapies. With the proper treatment such as talk therapy, medication, or a combination of both, many people can manage and overcome their symptoms, regain control of their situation, and lead to fulfilling, joyful, healthy lives.

If you are experiencing the following symptoms, you may benefit from psychotherapy in Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Persistent sadness: Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless most of the time, even when there's no clear reason for it

Loss of interest or pleasure: Losing interest in activities you used to enjoy like spending time with friends and loved ones or hobbies

Sleeping Challenges: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping too much

Fatigue or lack of energy: Feeling tired, sluggish, or physically drained, even after getting enough rest

Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Persistent feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, or guilt, even when there's no logical reason for them

Physical pain: Experiencing unexplained aches, pains, headaches, or digestive problems that don't respond to treatment

Difficulty concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering things, which can affect work, school, or cause relationship issues

Recognize if you may be suffering from depression

Types of Depression

Depression doesn’t affect everyone in the same way and can range quite significantly from mild to severe. If you are trying to determine the best course of action and seek treatment, we have various counselors and mental health professionals that specialize in many different therapy types. It is important to seek help for mental health issues to avoid self-medicating (i.e.,substance abuse, eating disorders) which can lead to a more severe mental illness.

Other types of depression include: Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Seasonal Affective Disorder, Postpartum Depression, Psychotic Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

What is the goal of therapy for depression?

Treatment is primarily focused on treating symptomology and improving personal growth from a mental health professional. It can also help to relieve pain from depressed thoughts and decrease feelings of sadness and anxiety. Another important objective is to understand the whole person and help challenge distorted thoughts patterns that affect the way you feel and behave. Counseling can provide you with the skills to deal with negative emotions to improve your ability to cope and handle emotions more effectively.

Various types of treatment have proven successful aimed at addressing some aspects many who suffer from different types of dysregulation. Here at It Begins Within Healing Center, we offer supportive, highly skilled treatment for managing the symptoms of depression. Our therapists work with clients to improve symptomology and quality of life through:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

  • Person Centered Therapy (PCT)

  • Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

  • Commitment Therapy

What therapy types help with depression?

How long do people stay in therapy for depression?

Yes, counseling can be highly effective in depression treatment. Numerous research studies have demonstrated the benefits of various types of counseling for depression, particularly CBT, which is one of the most widely studied and evidence-based approaches to treat it.

CBT helps individuals identify, process, control and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors in life that contribute to depression. By learning new coping skills and strategies, individuals can develop healthier ways of thinking and responding to life's challenges, leading to a reduction in depressive symptomology.

Other types of treatment, such as interpersonal therapy (IPT), TMS therapy, group therapy, psychodynamic theory, and mindfulness-based approaches to healing and grief, have also shown promise in treating depression. These types of treatment address underlying issues and trauma, improving interpersonal relationships, and promoting emotional regulation and self-awareness.

It's important patients seeking help to note that treatment for mental illness is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and what works for one person may not work for another. Finding the right therapist and therapeutic approach is key, and the therapeutic relationship is the most important aspect of treatment. Our goal is after your first session is to return home and feel hopeful that the therapist can help you. Additionally, treatment is most effective when combined with other treatment modalities, such as medication management, lifestyle changes, and social support. If you are looking for psychopharmacology for depression we provide that at It Begins Within. However, if you want to use your insurance there are many physicians in the area that can help. You can ask your primary care doctor on who they would recommend.

Does mental health therapy work for depression?

The duration of treatment varies widely depending on individual factors such as the severity of symptomology, treatment goals, relapse, and personal preferences. Some individuals may find relief from depression after just a few sessions, while others may benefit from longer-term therapy that spans several months or even years.

Therapy for depression and anxiety disorders is often structured as a time-limited course of treatment, typically ranging from several weeks to several months. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), for example, treatment is often delivered in a structured format with a specific number of sessions, typically ranging from 12 to 20 sessions. Whereas a psychodynamic approach may take years. The length of therapy may be adjusted based on individual progress and needs. As leaders in the Tampa Bay & St. Petersburg area, we focus on personalized and individualized treatment plans that are based on your goals.

You may feel like you are the only one who is struggling, but you are not alone and life can be hard. Many people suffer from this disease, diagnosis or disability. Please contact us if you want to gain control of your life, or address issues that are causing you to feel depressed, such as, relationship issues, anxiety, addiction, grieving a death, stress, etc. We provide a free consultation with one of our therapists in Tampa or St. Pete so you find the best fit for your healing journey!

Sessions available for depression therapy

We offer comprehensive mental health services for depression and are dedicated to the best outcome for our clients. Please reach out to us today to book a session with one of our skilled depression therapists.