Photo of Dr. Joy Morgan, Psychologist in 78757, TX
Dr. Joy Morgan
Psychologist, PhD
Verified Verified
Austin, TX 78757  (Online Only)
For the past seventeen years, I have been helping people work through depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, burn out at work, and difficult life transitions.
When life feels tough, and the day-to-day can feel like a struggle, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. You may be telling yourself that you can solve whatever is troubling you on your own, or that only weak people go to therapy. The truth is that life can be tough and everyone needs helps sometimes. Reaching out for help is a very brave step. I will help support you in gaining insight into yourself, identifying the areas of your life that you would like to change, and we will work as a team to help you create a life that feels better to you. You are not alone. I am here to help.
For the past seventeen years, I have been helping people work through depression, anxiety, substance abuse issues, burn out at work, and difficult life transitions.
When life feels tough, and the day-to-day can feel like a struggle, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help. You may be telling yourself that you can solve whatever is troubling you on your own, or that only weak people go to therapy. The truth is that life can be tough and everyone needs helps sometimes. Reaching out for help is a very brave step. I will help support you in gaining insight into yourself, identifying the areas of your life that you would like to change, and we will work as a team to help you create a life that feels better to you. You are not alone. I am here to help.
(512) 399-4646 View (512) 399-4646
Photo of Spectrum Social and Recreation Services, Psychologist in 78757, TX
Spectrum Social and Recreation Services
Psychologist, PhD, LPC, LCSW, LMFT, BCBA
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Austin, TX 78757
If you or someone you love struggles with anxiety, emotional regulation, poor social skills, parenting challenges, life transitions, family issues, or independent living then we can help. Our therapists specialize in providing collaborative solutions for individuals with social communication and anxiety challenges. Spectrum therapists are especially tuned to the needs of persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Giftedness and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD). Spectrum therapists apply solutions-based therapy techniques to create the best possible experience for our clients and help you meet your therapeutic goals.
If you or someone you love struggles with anxiety, emotional regulation, poor social skills, parenting challenges, life transitions, family issues, or independent living then we can help. Our therapists specialize in providing collaborative solutions for individuals with social communication and anxiety challenges. Spectrum therapists are especially tuned to the needs of persons diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD, Giftedness and Non-Verbal Learning Disorder (NVLD). Spectrum therapists apply solutions-based therapy techniques to create the best possible experience for our clients and help you meet your therapeutic goals.
(512) 271-4877 View (512) 271-4877

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.