Photo of Christine (Crawford) Alcenius, Clinical Social Work/Therapist in 78757, TX
Christine (Crawford) Alcenius
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78757
I specialize in working with adults who are dealing with anxiety/depression, life transitions/changes, relationship difficulties, grief/loss, gender identity, sexuality, and trauma. I enjoy working with the LGBT+ community, people in polyamorous/CNM relationships, and individuals who are questioning/leaving their faith or have experienced religious abuse/trauma. I am also very comfortable helping people navigate and cope with complex medical issues, having worked as a hospice social worker for many years.
I specialize in working with adults who are dealing with anxiety/depression, life transitions/changes, relationship difficulties, grief/loss, gender identity, sexuality, and trauma. I enjoy working with the LGBT+ community, people in polyamorous/CNM relationships, and individuals who are questioning/leaving their faith or have experienced religious abuse/trauma. I am also very comfortable helping people navigate and cope with complex medical issues, having worked as a hospice social worker for many years.
(512) 402-6549 View (512) 402-6549
Photo of Brett Brightwell, Marriage & Family Therapist in 78757, TX
Brett Brightwell
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78757
Work with individuals dealing with anxiety/depression, and typical ups/downs of life.
I believe that therapy involves a collaboration between the client/s and the therapist. If a client is not part of the decisions, the ideas, the relationship, and the motivation, achieving the desired change is much more difficult. I understand that being in a relationship of any kind can be difficult and I believe that everyone needs help navigating the obstacles that we are bound to encounter in love, family, friends & life. I love being a part of that process. My role as a therapist is to collaborate with, empathize with, support, understand, and encourage my clients. I do this through face to face as well as tele/video therapy.
Work with individuals dealing with anxiety/depression, and typical ups/downs of life.
I believe that therapy involves a collaboration between the client/s and the therapist. If a client is not part of the decisions, the ideas, the relationship, and the motivation, achieving the desired change is much more difficult. I understand that being in a relationship of any kind can be difficult and I believe that everyone needs help navigating the obstacles that we are bound to encounter in love, family, friends & life. I love being a part of that process. My role as a therapist is to collaborate with, empathize with, support, understand, and encourage my clients. I do this through face to face as well as tele/video therapy.
(512) 843-8718 View (512) 843-8718
Photo of Miranda M. Dooley, Marriage & Family Therapist in 78757, TX
Miranda M. Dooley
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78757
There is nothing wrong with asking for help and it’s important to remember that. “Asking for help when you need it doesn’t show weakness, it shows tremendous strength”— it takes self-awareness; it takes courage and the willingness to be vulnerable. A great quote by Fred Rogers says, “When we talk about our feelings they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” The therapeutic relationship I have with clients is something that I cherish and do not take for granted. It is a true privilege to be able to accompany clients on their journeys of self-discovery and self-understanding.
There is nothing wrong with asking for help and it’s important to remember that. “Asking for help when you need it doesn’t show weakness, it shows tremendous strength”— it takes self-awareness; it takes courage and the willingness to be vulnerable. A great quote by Fred Rogers says, “When we talk about our feelings they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.” The therapeutic relationship I have with clients is something that I cherish and do not take for granted. It is a true privilege to be able to accompany clients on their journeys of self-discovery and self-understanding.
(512) 580-9892 View (512) 580-9892
Photo of Dr. Patrick Harris, Licensed Professional Counselor in 78757, TX
Dr. Patrick Harris
Licensed Professional Counselor, PhD, LPC
Verified Verified
4 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78757  (Online Only)
I use a person centered approach that puts you in the drivers seat as I empathetically provide guidance from the passenger seat through curiosity, patience, and authenticity. As a researcher and clinician, I'm not a touchy/feely therapist who speaks in sterile therapist jargon or feel good proverbs, so I best work with clients who are willing to do the work by vulnerably exploring and addressing underlying issues contributing to current suffering. We would be a good fit if you are ready to explore paths to healing and improving overall quality of life through collaborative, solution focused strategies, trust, and a bit of humor!
I use a person centered approach that puts you in the drivers seat as I empathetically provide guidance from the passenger seat through curiosity, patience, and authenticity. As a researcher and clinician, I'm not a touchy/feely therapist who speaks in sterile therapist jargon or feel good proverbs, so I best work with clients who are willing to do the work by vulnerably exploring and addressing underlying issues contributing to current suffering. We would be a good fit if you are ready to explore paths to healing and improving overall quality of life through collaborative, solution focused strategies, trust, and a bit of humor!
(512) 601-6426 View (512) 601-6426
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.