With cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), the focus is on targeting your thoughts and your actions. If you are caught in consistently negative thought patterns, it can strongly influence the way you feel about yourself and the way you act, often leading to depression.

In this form of talk therapy, you will work with your therapist to identify these unhealthy thought patterns and behavioral responses that are contributing to your depressive symptoms. After identifying them, you can work toward coping skills and develop new ways of thinking over time. 

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is another kind of talk therapy. Though its basis comes from CBT, it is specifically designed for people who are experiencing very intense emotions. 

DBT teaches you how to accept the difficult feelings and behaviors in your life and make healthy changes in spite of strong emotions. It can help with skills like emotional regulation, mindfulness, interpersonal relationships, and more.

Sometimes, people need medication along with therapy to treat their depression. Professional intervention is a crucial part of this step, and trained psychiatrists can help determine if medication is right for you.

There are many options for antidepressants available. At Jackson House La Mesa, we’ll work with you to help you find the right medication and dosage so you can feel more like yourself again.

A common contributor to depression is stress. Whether stress causes symptoms or exacerbates them, high stress levels can significantly affect your mental and physical health. 

Stress management often involves a combination of conscious choices. Prioritizing things like exercise, nutrition, and sleep can make a major difference in your stress levels. Additionally, our team at Jackson House La Mesa works with our clients to help them with mindfulness through means such as yoga and meditation.