Photo of Emma Smith, Counselor in 49686, MI
Emma Smith
Counselor, MA, LLPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
I specialize in issues related to childhood trauma/abuse, sexual trauma, body image and eating disorders, women’s issues, relationships/couples counseling, self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety.
At Blue Thistle Therapy, I value holistic healing and authenticity. My practice is rooted in relationship-based counseling, and I dig deep in order to connect with the real you. I am not a “smile and nod” therapist. I believe that therapy should be challenging, and I’m here to partner with you in your journey toward positive growth.
I specialize in issues related to childhood trauma/abuse, sexual trauma, body image and eating disorders, women’s issues, relationships/couples counseling, self-esteem, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, depression, and anxiety.
At Blue Thistle Therapy, I value holistic healing and authenticity. My practice is rooted in relationship-based counseling, and I dig deep in order to connect with the real you. I am not a “smile and nod” therapist. I believe that therapy should be challenging, and I’m here to partner with you in your journey toward positive growth.
(231) 310-1766 View (231) 310-1766
Photo of Julia Kirby, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Julia Kirby
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLMSW
Verified Verified
Traverse City, MI 49686  (Online Only)
My specialties include anxiety, depression, and intimacy and relationships.
Now accepting new clients! My sessions are all virtual, and I work with clients throughout the state of Michigan. For a productive experience in therapy, I feel it’s very important for a client to find a therapist whose approach is right for them. My approach to therapy is client-centered. I listen without judgement and help guide you toward finding the answers that are already inside of you. My goal is to make you feel safe and comfortable while empowering you to make progress toward your goals.
My specialties include anxiety, depression, and intimacy and relationships.
Now accepting new clients! My sessions are all virtual, and I work with clients throughout the state of Michigan. For a productive experience in therapy, I feel it’s very important for a client to find a therapist whose approach is right for them. My approach to therapy is client-centered. I listen without judgement and help guide you toward finding the answers that are already inside of you. My goal is to make you feel safe and comfortable while empowering you to make progress toward your goals.
(231) 533-2924 View (231) 533-2924
Photo of Linda Smith, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Linda Smith
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
I enjoy counseling children, adolescents & adults in addressing their cognitive, behavioral & emotional challenges. I support my clients through individualized therapeutic approaches to help them understand & express their emotions in developmentally appropriate & healthy ways. I provide therapy for children, adolescents & their families experiencing challenges such as divorce, adoption, anxiety, depression, bullying, self-esteem, medical procedures, domestic violence, abuse & neglect, grief & loss, self-harm, trauma and PTSD. I also offer counseling for military families and understand the unique stress they face. I utilize a strengths-based approach to counsel children, teens & adults to help them gain confidence in their abilities to face challenges head on.
(231) 790-2549 View (231) 790-2549
Photo of Chelsea Fenlon, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 49686, MI
Chelsea Fenlon
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LLMSW
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
As a LLMSW social worker, I have several years of experience working with a variety of populations. During this time, I have assisted others by helping to overcome barriers and provide support during challenging and adverse times in their lives. I believe in a wholistic approach and the foundation that each person is an expert on their own being. I will strive to meet you where you are and provide an inclusive and safe space for you to share your story. Using your unique life experience as a basis, we will work together to acknowledge your individual strengths and resilience to help support you along your journey.
As a LLMSW social worker, I have several years of experience working with a variety of populations. During this time, I have assisted others by helping to overcome barriers and provide support during challenging and adverse times in their lives. I believe in a wholistic approach and the foundation that each person is an expert on their own being. I will strive to meet you where you are and provide an inclusive and safe space for you to share your story. Using your unique life experience as a basis, we will work together to acknowledge your individual strengths and resilience to help support you along your journey.
(231) 227-4976 View (231) 227-4976
Photo of Megan Kay Morrissey, Counselor in 49686, MI
Megan Kay Morrissey
Counselor, LLPC
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Traverse City, MI 49686
My personal motto is "No mud. No lotus." To me, this means, without suffering there cannot be beauty. My entire life I have been fascinated with resilience- the ability to overcome. What makes people stronger when they they have faced so much adversity? I started my career focused on how to help people become more resilient, and along the way I have learned so much, not just about overcoming obstacles, but also about building up strengths.
My personal motto is "No mud. No lotus." To me, this means, without suffering there cannot be beauty. My entire life I have been fascinated with resilience- the ability to overcome. What makes people stronger when they they have faced so much adversity? I started my career focused on how to help people become more resilient, and along the way I have learned so much, not just about overcoming obstacles, but also about building up strengths.
(231) 645-6410 View (231) 645-6410

See more therapy options for 49686

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.