Is Depression Getting In The Way Of Your Career? Is It Affecting Your Relationships And Quality Of Life?

Many of us live with a lingering sense of sadness and emptiness that’s grown bigger and bigger over time. Despite being high functioning and “successful” by society’s measures, a cloud hangs over us, and a ceaseless inner critic finds fault in ourselves, others, and the world around us.

If you generally feel low and disconnected from yourself and your relationships, depression may have taken hold. You may spend most of the day wishing that your life was different or more fulfilling—and you may often wonder, if I have all of this, why aren’t I happier?

Alternatively, there might be a trauma or painful experience at the core of your depression. Having endured a loss, injury, or disappointment, you may have begun to question your purpose, resilience, and sense of worthiness.

Whether the onset of symptoms is sudden or gradual, depression can cast a ripple effect on every area of life. Many of our clients live with these feelings for a long time before seeking treatment, either assuming that they are bound to feel this way or not realizing how much depression has impacted their ability to function. They may numb or avoid their emotions instead of facing them head-on. This strains their productivity, relationships, and overall quality of life.

At Lumin, we understand that when depression takes over, it takes all of your energy just to be. Our therapists are here to help you feel supported and better resourced with coping strategies that can greatly enhance your life and outlook. Through therapy, you can get back the emotional, physical, and mental energy that depression has taken away.

Rates Of Depression Are On The Rise, Especially Following COVID

Depression is a very common struggle, affecting an estimated 5 percent of the population. [1] It’s particularly prevalent among high-performing professionals who suffer from burnout and immense pressure to shatter every ceiling. This statistic has only increased since COVID, as loss, transition, and work-related stressors have piled up.

In Addition To The Stressors Of Adulthood, Early Experiences Can Impact Our Self-Esteem And Self-Understanding

Many of our clients develop depression later in life as a result of their experiences in childhood. Oftentimes, these clients were expected to parent themselves through hardship because their parents were not emotionally aware or available to offer affirmation. And growing up without feeling seen or heard, they never got the opportunity to explore their most authentic desires and selves.

For those of us who were raised in an environment with impossibly high expectations or inadequate models for healthy attachment and communication, there is often a nagging sense of emptiness and isolation that follows us throughout life. Eventually, we normalize these feelings, assuming they’re permanent and unable to be healed.

But it’s possible to process that pain. At Lumin, we treat depression at the core, as opposed to offering surface-level strategies that don’t get to the heart of the matter. In the safe, confidential therapy space, we invite our clients to openly explore their experiences and shift their mindset so they can develop new, more positive associations with the world around them.

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Lumin Specializes In Client-Centered Depression Treatment

Therapy is a powerful way to initiate the healing process, allowing you time and space to reframe your beliefs and better understand where those beliefs stem from in the first place. Our therapists are hand-selected due to their ample experience treating depression, and we are invested in reconnecting you with a sense of joy, hope, and purpose.

Our Therapeutic Approach

At Lumin, we are aspirational clinicians more interested in what is possible than what is “wrong.”

We use a range of treatment methods in therapy for depression, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Positive Psychology, and solution-focused counseling. Our approach is entirely collaborative—we know our clients are driven, high-achieving, and capable, and we are invested in giving them tailor-made tools to increase a sense of resilience and possibility in their lives.

What To Expect

Because depression perpetuates isolation and low self-worth, the therapeutic relationship itself is an essential aspect of treatment. Our therapists use person-centered, strengths-oriented, and supportive approaches to empower our clients to reach their goals. Through manageable techniques, our counselors will help you regain your energy and make small changes that can substantially impact your life.

With effective coping skills, you can feel prepared to explore the experiences at the core of your symptoms. In this process, you will have the opportunity to challenge automatic or distorted thoughts that have resulted from pain or trauma. As you develop awareness about how your thoughts impact your emotions and behaviors, you can make choices that energize rather than drain you. You will also learn how to accept help— and how to ask for it.

Finally, therapy can serve as a great catalyst for engaging in affirming self-care measures that can improve the overall quality of your life, work, and relationships. As we explore the elements of your life that give it meaning, we can create new support networks that will ultimately inspire, uplift, and motivate you.

No matter if your depression has lasted weeks, months, or years, therapy absolutely can pave the way to relief. Through learning how to manage symptoms as they occur, you can reconnect with yourself in a loving, self-compassionate way that will extend into every area of your life.

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Still Unsure If Therapy For Depression Can Help You?

Is depression curable? Does treatment for depression require medication?

The duration of symptoms varies from person to person. Some people develop acute depression following a specific event in their lives, while others live with mild depression—also known as dysthymia—for years and acclimate to it. There is also moderate and severe depression, which usually impacts mood and functioning on a long-term basis.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, depression can be treated with various interventions, including therapy. While antidepressants may be used to reduce symptoms, medication is not always necessary. In many cases, depression can be treated with talk therapy alone or with a combination of therapy and medication.

I often feel depressed and anxious—how can a therapist know what the real problem is?

Our therapists are trained to perform thorough clinical evaluations to help us better understand your specific depression and/or anxiety symptoms. Through this evaluation, we’ll get a better handle on the severity of your symptoms, how long they have been present, and if there is a family history of either depression or anxiety that we need to consider. We can refer you to a psychiatrist who can provide an extensive diagnosis if further assessments are necessary.

How long does therapy for depression last?

The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors. Typically, those struggling with situational/single-event depression will begin to feel better after 8 to 12 counseling sessions, while those with longer-term and/or chronic symptoms may need longer treatment. Whatever your goals are, we will work with you to design a treatment plan that honors your timeline and unique experience of depression.

You Can Change Your Mindset

Lumin specializes in therapy for high-achieving, motivated professionals struggling with mild to severe symptoms of depression. Book an appointment with us today to learn more about how our therapists can help you.

[1] https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/depression