Therapists in Oakland, CA
T Joshua Tan
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94609
Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.
Is anxiety, depression, or trauma holding you back from being your true self? Do you feel stuck in managing difficult life transitions? Now, every little thing becomes super overwhelming. Those negative experiences reopen old wounds and cause new ones. You tried burying your pain hoping it would go away. You feel lonely and tormented. You feel exhausted, stressed, and angry all the time. You wonder how much more you can take. You are unsure of who or where to turn for help. In the midst of this painful journey, you do not have to go through it alone.
Audrey Hu
Associate Clinical Social Worker, ASW
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94609
I draw from evidence-based approaches, such as CBT and mindfulness to help you manage anxiety and depression.
We all feel lost from time to time, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been through my own therapy as a young adult when I was stuck in a bout of anxiety and panic attacks due to childhood trauma. Throughout my years of working with traumatized individuals, I learned first-hand about how childhood trauma can have a strong impact on adulthood. I can help you address unresolved trauma, in order for you to find passion, connection, and purpose in your life.
I draw from evidence-based approaches, such as CBT and mindfulness to help you manage anxiety and depression.
We all feel lost from time to time, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve been through my own therapy as a young adult when I was stuck in a bout of anxiety and panic attacks due to childhood trauma. Throughout my years of working with traumatized individuals, I learned first-hand about how childhood trauma can have a strong impact on adulthood. I can help you address unresolved trauma, in order for you to find passion, connection, and purpose in your life.
Grateful Heart Holistic Therapy Center
Pre-Licensed Professional
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94610
Whether you are seeking immediate support to help cope during this time, or therapy for anxiety, depression, conflicts with your partner or other needs, we are here to help.
Therapy provides such a rich opportunity for growth and learning, helping persons to recover from the aftermaths of trauma, abuse and loss, meet the hardships of their lives and thrive. In times like this, with so much anxiety about our collective welfare, it can be an invaluable lifeline. In response to the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we are now offering teletherapy (therapy by phone and online by video) for all our clients, whether new or established. Also called telehealth or telebehavioral health, teletherapy can provide vital care and support to individuals, couples and families.
Whether you are seeking immediate support to help cope during this time, or therapy for anxiety, depression, conflicts with your partner or other needs, we are here to help.
Therapy provides such a rich opportunity for growth and learning, helping persons to recover from the aftermaths of trauma, abuse and loss, meet the hardships of their lives and thrive. In times like this, with so much anxiety about our collective welfare, it can be an invaluable lifeline. In response to the Coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, we are now offering teletherapy (therapy by phone and online by video) for all our clients, whether new or established. Also called telehealth or telebehavioral health, teletherapy can provide vital care and support to individuals, couples and families.
Rebecca Peng
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Waitlist for new clients
As an Asian female therapist, I deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that come with a bi-cultural upbringing. Every individual possesses the innate desire to grow as well as the capacity to heal from traumas and painful life events. I am here to guide you through difficult life transitions and improve your relationships. I will help you approach life with fresh perspectives and more effective strategies. I have more than a decade of therapy experience with clients of all ages struggling with issues such as depression and anxiety, trauma, addiction, grief and loss, and unhealthy relationships.
As an Asian female therapist, I deeply understand the challenges and opportunities that come with a bi-cultural upbringing. Every individual possesses the innate desire to grow as well as the capacity to heal from traumas and painful life events. I am here to guide you through difficult life transitions and improve your relationships. I will help you approach life with fresh perspectives and more effective strategies. I have more than a decade of therapy experience with clients of all ages struggling with issues such as depression and anxiety, trauma, addiction, grief and loss, and unhealthy relationships.
Heidi Xue
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, AMFT, APPC, EMDR
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94609
Do you have trouble with anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues due to trauma? Past experiences can create imprints onto your brain that activate your fight/flight responses whenever your emotions feel dysregulated, but life without the constant feeling of being on edge is possible. Those traumatic memories don’t have to permanently influence who you are meant to be. Through therapy, you will gain control of your feelings/thoughts and your response to everyday life hurdles. Healing from trauma can create healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships along with sustainable changes.
Do you have trouble with anxiety, depression, and relationship/family issues due to trauma? Past experiences can create imprints onto your brain that activate your fight/flight responses whenever your emotions feel dysregulated, but life without the constant feeling of being on edge is possible. Those traumatic memories don’t have to permanently influence who you are meant to be. Through therapy, you will gain control of your feelings/thoughts and your response to everyday life hurdles. Healing from trauma can create healthier beliefs about yourself and your relationships along with sustainable changes.
Laura Bai
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
7 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94609
Waitlist for new clients
You can be free from the patterns and struggles that keep you from living fully, authentically, joyfully. You may be feeling stuck or overwhelmed by recent challenges or past traumas. Wherever you are in your journey, I can provide you with the support and tools to stay present while addressing ongoing issues such as anxiety, depression, limiting self-beliefs, harmful behaviors, or painful cycles in relationships. As we attend to these issues with compassion, you will begin to heal the disconnection from self, relationship wounds, family dynamics, and trauma that may be at the root of these struggles.
You can be free from the patterns and struggles that keep you from living fully, authentically, joyfully. You may be feeling stuck or overwhelmed by recent challenges or past traumas. Wherever you are in your journey, I can provide you with the support and tools to stay present while addressing ongoing issues such as anxiety, depression, limiting self-beliefs, harmful behaviors, or painful cycles in relationships. As we attend to these issues with compassion, you will begin to heal the disconnection from self, relationship wounds, family dynamics, and trauma that may be at the root of these struggles.
Dr. Jayn Rajandran PsyD / Jayn.Org
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, PCC, LMFT, IO, CGE, DTS
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Concierge therapy offered in Palo Alto, Rockridge & SF locations. You decide on the day, time, location, in-person or online. This modality is for busy professionals/students who want to graduate psychotherapy fast. Sessions are fun and focused. Most clients can graduate from therapy within 3-6 months for life transition problems. For severe trauma and mental health cases, it can a little longer. Specializing in teens, couples and individuals struggling with trauma, abuse, substances abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, suicide, trust, abandonment, severe mental health and anger.
Concierge therapy offered in Palo Alto, Rockridge & SF locations. You decide on the day, time, location, in-person or online. This modality is for busy professionals/students who want to graduate psychotherapy fast. Sessions are fun and focused. Most clients can graduate from therapy within 3-6 months for life transition problems. For severe trauma and mental health cases, it can a little longer. Specializing in teens, couples and individuals struggling with trauma, abuse, substances abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, suicide, trust, abandonment, severe mental health and anger.
Karen Lau
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94612 (Online Only)
Depression and anxiety tend to co-occur, thus I also work with clients in managing their depression and/or grief.
Clients come to me due to anxiety, grief and trauma related concerns while facing stressors and life transitions. Life is difficult when you are experiencing mental health struggles due to health, family or marital situations, dating hardships, work conflict and/or past life experiences. It affects self confidence. You could be struggling while navigating the impact of immigration, cultural background, identity, inter-generational differences, interpersonal challenges, and career demands on your worldview and yourself. As an Asian therapist, I not only have familiarity but also cultural competency in helping APIDA individuals.
Depression and anxiety tend to co-occur, thus I also work with clients in managing their depression and/or grief.
Clients come to me due to anxiety, grief and trauma related concerns while facing stressors and life transitions. Life is difficult when you are experiencing mental health struggles due to health, family or marital situations, dating hardships, work conflict and/or past life experiences. It affects self confidence. You could be struggling while navigating the impact of immigration, cultural background, identity, inter-generational differences, interpersonal challenges, and career demands on your worldview and yourself. As an Asian therapist, I not only have familiarity but also cultural competency in helping APIDA individuals.
Aliss C. C. Wang
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
As a leader in your field, someone who seeks to support everyone and everything is your calling. Even so, stressors, anxiety, depression, burnout, imposter syndrome, and navigating challenging life transitions is no stranger to you. Perhaps deep wounds or traumas are (re)surfacing for processing. Today marks an important step towards prioritizing yourself. I will support you through the journey of your wellbeing. Allow me to hold your process and difficulties with compassion, support your balancing of life's chaos, reinstate healthy boundaries, embrace positive transformations, and reignite your aliveness.
As a leader in your field, someone who seeks to support everyone and everything is your calling. Even so, stressors, anxiety, depression, burnout, imposter syndrome, and navigating challenging life transitions is no stranger to you. Perhaps deep wounds or traumas are (re)surfacing for processing. Today marks an important step towards prioritizing yourself. I will support you through the journey of your wellbeing. Allow me to hold your process and difficulties with compassion, support your balancing of life's chaos, reinstate healthy boundaries, embrace positive transformations, and reignite your aliveness.
Ziqiu Yan
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT, MA
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94601
I am a bilingual (English/Mandarin) therapist based in SF Bay area. Client comes to see me for more fulfillment in life including depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, relationship issues etc,. I have holistic trainings on Gestalt Therapy, Hakomi (somatic) therapy and Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), which provides me a framework on combining mindfulness, somatic experience and neurobiological studies into my practice. I want to hold a safe space for my clients that they feel supported, cared for, resourced but also challenged, so that they can unfold their own unique way toward healing.
I am a bilingual (English/Mandarin) therapist based in SF Bay area. Client comes to see me for more fulfillment in life including depression, anxiety, insomnia, trauma, relationship issues etc,. I have holistic trainings on Gestalt Therapy, Hakomi (somatic) therapy and Psychobiological Approach to Couple Therapy (PACT), which provides me a framework on combining mindfulness, somatic experience and neurobiological studies into my practice. I want to hold a safe space for my clients that they feel supported, cared for, resourced but also challenged, so that they can unfold their own unique way toward healing.
Renee Chen
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94610 (Online Only)
I believe symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
Something is calling, beckoning you to go on an adventure. You may feel resistant towards it, receptive, ambivalent, or stuck. You may feel all, some, or none of these things, but you feel pulled by the current of something greater—a longing, a curiosity perhaps, for something different, for wholeness, for a chance to know yourself. You can think of me as a companion accompanying you on your journey. I listen—concretely and symbolically—to stories told/untold, what's said/not said, what's felt/not felt, what's remembered/what's been forgotten. I use presence, honesty, and playfulness to both support and challenge you.
I believe symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, etc.
Something is calling, beckoning you to go on an adventure. You may feel resistant towards it, receptive, ambivalent, or stuck. You may feel all, some, or none of these things, but you feel pulled by the current of something greater—a longing, a curiosity perhaps, for something different, for wholeness, for a chance to know yourself. You can think of me as a companion accompanying you on your journey. I listen—concretely and symbolically—to stories told/untold, what's said/not said, what's felt/not felt, what's remembered/what's been forgotten. I use presence, honesty, and playfulness to both support and challenge you.
Jeremy Soh
Licensed Psychoanalyst, PhD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94606
I work with a range of issues from anxiety, depression, and burnout, to more severe cases of trauma and personality disorders.
Do you find yourself stuck, frustrated and ready to examine the deeper motivations of your current conflicts and overall behavior? You've perhaps long sensed that the problems that keep repeating in life suggest getting to the bottom of things. This is an opportunity for self-exploration in psychoanalysis which focuses on the unconscious. Uncovering deep sources of conflicts and problems you weren’t even aware of transforms damaging attachments and reopens possibilities where you may seem desperately trapped.
I work with a range of issues from anxiety, depression, and burnout, to more severe cases of trauma and personality disorders.
Do you find yourself stuck, frustrated and ready to examine the deeper motivations of your current conflicts and overall behavior? You've perhaps long sensed that the problems that keep repeating in life suggest getting to the bottom of things. This is an opportunity for self-exploration in psychoanalysis which focuses on the unconscious. Uncovering deep sources of conflicts and problems you weren’t even aware of transforms damaging attachments and reopens possibilities where you may seem desperately trapped.
Dr. Jayn Rajandran PsyD / Jayn.Org
Marriage & Family Therapist, PsyD, LMFT, IO, Psych, CGE
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94618
Concierge therapy offered in Palo Alto, Rockridge & SF locations. You decide on the day, time, location, in-person or online. This modality is for busy professionals/students who want to graduate psychotherapy fast. Sessions are fun and focused. Most clients can graduate from therapy within 3-6 months for life transition problems. For severe trauma and mental health cases, it can a little longer. Specializing in teens, couples and individuals struggling with trauma, sexual abuse, substances abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, suicide, trust, abandonment, severe mental health and anger.
Concierge therapy offered in Palo Alto, Rockridge & SF locations. You decide on the day, time, location, in-person or online. This modality is for busy professionals/students who want to graduate psychotherapy fast. Sessions are fun and focused. Most clients can graduate from therapy within 3-6 months for life transition problems. For severe trauma and mental health cases, it can a little longer. Specializing in teens, couples and individuals struggling with trauma, sexual abuse, substances abuse, depression, anxiety, grief, suicide, trust, abandonment, severe mental health and anger.
Octave - Oakland Clinic
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94612 (Online Only)
Octave is a modern practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. With in-person and virtual clinics in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington D.C., we partner with you to develop personalized plans that can include individual, couples, and family therapy to best suit your needs. Grounded in science, our approach enables you to experience profound change that is just as measurable as it is meaningful. Learn more at www.findoctave.com
Octave is a modern practice creating a new standard for mental health care that’s both high-quality and accessible. With in-person and virtual clinics in California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington D.C., we partner with you to develop personalized plans that can include individual, couples, and family therapy to best suit your needs. Grounded in science, our approach enables you to experience profound change that is just as measurable as it is meaningful. Learn more at www.findoctave.com
Alexander Shen
Psychologist, PsyD
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618 (Online Only)
Starting therapy can be an important life decision. Whether you are hoping to focus on specific concerns, or exploring broader, longer standing challenges, therapy can be useful in understanding how aspects of one‘s temperament and relational tendencies interfere with living life authentically, and with reaching one’s full potential. By addressing issues in real-time, while also considering the impact of situational factors and past experiences, therapy can help to identify areas of one’s life to examine and evolve. Importantly, effective therapy often promotes resiliency, self-awareness and personal growth.
Starting therapy can be an important life decision. Whether you are hoping to focus on specific concerns, or exploring broader, longer standing challenges, therapy can be useful in understanding how aspects of one‘s temperament and relational tendencies interfere with living life authentically, and with reaching one’s full potential. By addressing issues in real-time, while also considering the impact of situational factors and past experiences, therapy can help to identify areas of one’s life to examine and evolve. Importantly, effective therapy often promotes resiliency, self-awareness and personal growth.
Jonathan Lee
Marriage & Family Therapist, LMFT
Verified Verified
3 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94602 (Online Only)
You’ve needed changes but for too long, your efforts get complicated by self-sabotage and triggered reactions. When triggered, you prefer to isolate and withdraw so you don’t need to worry more about straining your relationships. You’ve had to be self-reliant for so long that you can’t imagine asking for what you need without feeling selfish or worrying about burdening others. Much of your attention is preoccupied with anticipating harm or preventing social rejection. You know that you’re self-aware and knowledgeable about your struggles. But you don’t know how to implement the steps towards actual deep, lasting healing and change.
You’ve needed changes but for too long, your efforts get complicated by self-sabotage and triggered reactions. When triggered, you prefer to isolate and withdraw so you don’t need to worry more about straining your relationships. You’ve had to be self-reliant for so long that you can’t imagine asking for what you need without feeling selfish or worrying about burdening others. Much of your attention is preoccupied with anticipating harm or preventing social rejection. You know that you’re self-aware and knowledgeable about your struggles. But you don’t know how to implement the steps towards actual deep, lasting healing and change.
Two Chairs - San Francisco/Oakland
Marriage & Family Therapist, PhD, PsyD, LCSW, LMFT, LPCC
Verified Verified
Oakland, CA 94612
Two Chairs was founded in 2017 with a mission to build a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental healthcare. We're creating a better experience for both patients and clinicians by starting with an in-depth, research-backed matching process to ensure the ideal patient-therapist fit, offering hybrid care that gives patients and clinicians flexibility between in-person and virtual sessions, and measuring outcomes to ensure patients get better faster.
Two Chairs was founded in 2017 with a mission to build a world where everyone has access to exceptional mental healthcare. We're creating a better experience for both patients and clinicians by starting with an in-depth, research-backed matching process to ensure the ideal patient-therapist fit, offering hybrid care that gives patients and clinicians flexibility between in-person and virtual sessions, and measuring outcomes to ensure patients get better faster.
Yashu Jiang
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94609
I work with adolescents, adults, and couples seeking insight, self-knowledge, and healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Many of my clients are immigrants or children of immigrants from families where mental health and therapy are not routine topics of conversation. Coming to therapy can feel strange and intimidating. I strive to provide a warm and supportive space for clients to face the things in their lives that are distressing, to confront painful aspects of themselves and their pasts, and make positive and lasting changes.
I work with adolescents, adults, and couples seeking insight, self-knowledge, and healthier, more fulfilling relationships. Many of my clients are immigrants or children of immigrants from families where mental health and therapy are not routine topics of conversation. Coming to therapy can feel strange and intimidating. I strive to provide a warm and supportive space for clients to face the things in their lives that are distressing, to confront painful aspects of themselves and their pasts, and make positive and lasting changes.
Ni Zhang
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate, Ni Zhang, MA, AMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Oakland, CA 94618
Not accepting new clients
你是否感到在人际关系中有压力或无法清楚的表达自我？在家庭关系中自己可以展现子女的角色、伴侣的角色、父母的角色，但真实的自我却消失了？自己相处时，焦虑和恐惧总会反复袭来？总想看看手机、电视剧，或投入与工作，而不知道如何和自己相处？在新环境中无法找到归属感？心灵的伤痛，头脑选择遗忘，但身体都记得。我希望通过躯体心理治疗的方法帮助你探索阻碍你表达或实现心愿的原因，连接内心的爱与温柔，了解和发展还没有机会对外展现的自我，并且掌握自我鼓励和引领的能力。 我相信当咨访关系是真挚、平等和互信时，你将会从我们的工作中体会到更深入的自我、自性和自爱。我将保持一颗不批判和临在之心，来护持和理解你的经历。每个人内在都智慧具足，我的工作是通过专业的引导和倾听，让你内在的智慧显现。通过与你内在智慧相连，寻找到在困境中的转机、方向和意义，转化心理和生活处境。做为一名长期研习躯体心理治疗、佛学理论和内观、生态心理治疗的心理治疗师，我不仅使用西方科学的思维来理解心理困境，也擅长运用东方古老智慧来治愈和护持心灵。
你是否感到在人际关系中有压力或无法清楚的表达自我？在家庭关系中自己可以展现子女的角色、伴侣的角色、父母的角色，但真实的自我却消失了？自己相处时，焦虑和恐惧总会反复袭来？总想看看手机、电视剧，或投入与工作，而不知道如何和自己相处？在新环境中无法找到归属感？心灵的伤痛，头脑选择遗忘，但身体都记得。我希望通过躯体心理治疗的方法帮助你探索阻碍你表达或实现心愿的原因，连接内心的爱与温柔，了解和发展还没有机会对外展现的自我，并且掌握自我鼓励和引领的能力。 我相信当咨访关系是真挚、平等和互信时，你将会从我们的工作中体会到更深入的自我、自性和自爱。我将保持一颗不批判和临在之心，来护持和理解你的经历。每个人内在都智慧具足，我的工作是通过专业的引导和倾听，让你内在的智慧显现。通过与你内在智慧相连，寻找到在困境中的转机、方向和意义，转化心理和生活处境。做为一名长期研习躯体心理治疗、佛学理论和内观、生态心理治疗的心理治疗师，我不仅使用西方科学的思维来理解心理困境，也擅长运用东方古老智慧来治愈和护持心灵。
More Therapists Nearby
Qian Zhang
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
2 Endorsed
San Francisco, CA 94108 (Online Only)
你好，我是Qian。我从没想过原来我的名字在英语语系下这么难发音，我曾经被叫过“Kian”, “Tian”, 或者“Quan”。在这些发音符号下，大家一定不会想到她对应的汉字是“茜”。我曾经问过我爸为什么要给我起这个名字，我爸说：“茜是一种草，‘野火烧不尽，春风吹又生’，我希望你能有小草这样顽强的生命力。” 我总会在第一次和来访者会面的时候问他们的中文名字怎么写，因为我想透过汉字看到名字背后的含义，看到个体的独特性。
你好，我是Qian。我从没想过原来我的名字在英语语系下这么难发音，我曾经被叫过“Kian”, “Tian”, 或者“Quan”。在这些发音符号下，大家一定不会想到她对应的汉字是“茜”。我曾经问过我爸为什么要给我起这个名字，我爸说：“茜是一种草，‘野火烧不尽，春风吹又生’，我希望你能有小草这样顽强的生命力。” 我总会在第一次和来访者会面的时候问他们的中文名字怎么写，因为我想透过汉字看到名字背后的含义，看到个体的独特性。
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Depression Therapists
What is the goal of therapy for depression?
Therapy for depression has several major goals. One is to relieve the mental pain of depression, which distorts feeling and thinking so that sufferers cannot see beyond their current state of mind or envision feeling better. Another is to give people the mental tools to recognize and correct the kinds of distorted thinking that turn a problem into a catastrophe and lead to despair. Therapy also teaches people how to process negative emotions in constructive ways, so they have more control over their own emotional reactivity. And it helps people regain the ability to see themselves positively, the motivation to do things, and the capacity for pleasure.
What happens in therapy for depression?
Perhaps most important, no matter the type of therapy, patients form an alliance with the therapist; that connection is therapeutic in itself, plus it becomes an instrument of change. Patients learn to identify and to challenge their own erroneous beliefs and thoughts that amplify the effects of negative experiences. They learn to identify situations in which they are especially vulnerable. And they learn new patterns of thinking and behaving. They may be given “homework” assignments in which they practice their developing skills. In addition, good therapists regularly monitor patients to assess whether and how much the condition is improving.
What therapy types help with depression?
Several types of short-term therapy have been found effective, each targeting one or more areas of dysfunction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, learn new behavioral strategies, and curb reactivity to distressing situations. Behavioral activation (BA) is a form of therapy often used in conjunction with CBT; it focuses on engagement in rewarding activity as a pathway to changing negative feelings and disturbed mood. Another widely used approach is interpersonal therapy (IPT), which targets the social difficulties that both give rise to and get exacerbated by depression. Therapists may combine approaches as needed.
Can therapy for depression be done online?
Studies have found that online therapy can be highly effective for treating depression, although it may be more challenging to build a good therapist-patient alliance on screen than in person—at least at first. However, online therapy can offer considerable advantages. Accessibility and convenience are tops among them. Some people actually find it easier to talk about problems online than in person. While online therapy typically limits visibility of facial expression and body gestures that give important nonverbal cues to a patient’s state of mind, it can give therapists a glimpse into a patient’s world and life, providing information that can be highly useful in guiding therapy.
How effective is therapy for depression?
Many studies show that therapy is highly effective provided that patients complete the prescribed course of therapy, commonly 16 to 20 sessions. Over the long term, it is more effective than medication and the effects are more enduring. As a result, psychotherapy has the power not just to relieve current suffering but to prevent future episodes of the disorder. Therapy reverses the dysfunction in neural circuitry that disposes individuals to a negative view of themselves, the world, and their future and they acquire coping techniques, problem-solving skills, and understanding of their own vulnerabilities that are useful over the course of a lifetime.