Depression is as complex as it is common

Ever wondered what’s causing your depression?

Depression is complex and a number of factors contribute to it including family history and genetics, thought processes, interpersonal relationships and conflict or social isolation, life events (such as: trauma, a breakup or divorce, grief and loss, moving, the coming out process, quarter-life or mid-life crisis) and personality (low self-esteem, perfectionism, and self-criticism) to name a few. The severity and frequency of depressive symptoms and how long they last vary depending on the individual.

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues in the US with approximately 14.8 million adults experiencing it each year.

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Depression Symptoms

You may have depression if you feel a depressed mood or loss of interest in things that were once-pleasurable and are having trouble with your energy, sleeping, eating, concentration or self-esteem for more than two weeks. Excessive sleepiness, irritability, overwhelming feelings of guilt, and even sudden disregard for personal hygiene are also all symptoms of major depression.

Depression Research

Counseling works to lessen symptoms, shorten the depression course, and significantly lower the rate of relapse in the future. Let our therapists help you through this time and figure out what’s causing and contributing to your depression, what are constructive strategies and tools that enable you to cope, and the guidance and encouragement to navigate through the depression course.

Depression Types

The types of depression include minor + major depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) typically in the fall/winter; Dysthymia which is long term, multi-year depression with often slightly less severe symptoms than major depression; and Bipolar Disorder or Manic Depression, which usually alternates major depression with states of unusually heightened excitement and elation.
Reclaim Control Over Your Depression

While improving relationships both with yourself and others.

1

Increase your self-awareness

While gaining insight into your emotional self and unhelpful thinking patterns
2

Better Handle Life's Challenges

and improve your ability to relate to your difficult life event more positively
3

Enhance Your Mindfulness

While learning and mastering calming techniques to better manage your moods
4

Invest in Positive Self-Care

Spend time working through and strengthening your self-worth, self-love and increase hope for the future
5

Learn to Set Healthy Boundaries

Identify and validate the boundaries that are right for you, your relationships, and at work, by practicing assertiveness.
6

Gain Awareness of Avoidance

Including counter-productive thoughts, behaviors that may contribute to or prolong depressive symptoms

Contact Us. 

Pay Us a Visit

70 E Lake St #222
Chicago, IL 60601

Serving Chicago, Streeterville, Gold Coast, West Town, West Loop, River North, Old Town, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Square, Bucktown, Ravenswood and surrounding areas.

Common Questions

Do you accept insurance?

We are in network with the following insurance carriers:

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Advantage
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Preferred
  • United Behavioral Health, aka United Health Care
  • Optum Veterans Affairs Community Care Network

However, if you have a carrier that we don’t accept we can still work together! Using your out of network benefits, many insurance companies will provide you with 20% to 80% reimbursement for sessions. We provide you with an invoice, you send it into your insurance company and they mail you a check. If you’d like to know what your out of network benefits are call the number on the back of your card and ask, “What are my out of network benefits for mental health counseling?” Please contact us to provide you with additional information about this.

Is there parking available at your office?

All el lines are within 1-2 blocks, and, there are two parking garages nearby at 60 E. Lake St. and 20 E. Randolph.

I tried therapy and didn't like it. How's this different?

Therapy varies depending on the personalities of the counselor and client, as well as the particular concerns brought forward. Sometimes the chemistry between the counselor and client or the counselor’s style or approach just isn’t a good fit. The relationship between the client and the therapist is of utmost importance. Therefore, we work to create a safe environment where open and honest communication is encouraged so that concerns or questions about treatment or the relationship can be addressed in session. This often benefits the therapeutic process and deepens the therapeutic relationship.

What can I expect from the first few sessions?

During the first and second session, we will gather information about what has brought you into therapy including your concerns, what you’d like to work on and information about your current and past emotional health and life history. This information helps us gain a deeper understanding about your situation, you as a person and how to best help you. As noted earlier, since it is important that clients feel comfortable with their counseling, we encourage clients to also use the first session as an opportunity to assess if this is a good fit for you as well.

What can I expect during a typical therapy session?

During therapy you will begin to discuss and share your feelings, thoughts, and reactions in order for you to begin to gain insight, develop new thinking patters, coping skills and overall improved quality of life. It is natural to feel uncomfortable about opening up at first but this process because much easier after a few sessions. Since self-growth is possible through commitment and work I will encourage you to practice the things you discuss and learn outside of session.

How long will I need to be in therapy?

The number of sessions needed is different for everyone depending on a number of factors including but not limited to your goals, severity or intensity of your concerns or symptoms, how long you’ve been dealing with your concerns, current levels of stress, and the progress you make towards reaching your short or long-term goals.

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

In general, all communications between a client and counselor are confidential and can only be released with the client’s written permission. However, there are some exceptions required by law to this rule. Exceptions include:

  • When there is a reasonable suspicion of child/dependent abuse or of an elder adult.
  • When the client communicates a threat of bodily injury to others.
  • When the client is suicidal.
  • When disclosure is required pursuant to a legal proceeding.
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