Depression can feel like it dominates your life. Things that you once enjoyed do not bring the same pleasure. Your thoughts seem to dwell on the negative, and it affects the way you view the world around you. Thankfully, with the right treatment, you can combat the symptoms of your depression and begin to find pleasure in those things you used to enjoy.
At Exhale Therapy, we focus on whole-person care. Our depression treatment in Bloomington combines traditional therapy with mindfulness, wellness practices, and collaborative support to help you regain balance in your life. Our depression treatment provides the skills you need to take control of your life. Depression can make you feel like things are not worth pursuing, but with the help and guidance of our skilled provider, you can learn how to recognize thoughts that are fueled by your depression and how to address them in a healthy, meaningful way.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a goal-oriented approach that helps clients in Bloomington manage their depression symptoms. During CBT, you take the time to identify the negative behaviors or thoughts you are experiencing, with the goal of reflecting on and addressing them. Once you are skilled at identifying the target thoughts, you will then work through strategies to modify and reframe your thought patterns.
CBT is designed to provide you with an understanding of how your thoughts work and what the thought patterns are that contribute to your depression symptoms. The goal is to set you up for success when you experience these feelings in your day-to-day life. It gives you the ability to approach negative thoughts with awareness and skill, rather than reacting automatically.
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a versatile tool for treating depression and other psychological conditions in Bloomington. It includes many of the techniques that are used in CBT to recognize negative thoughts. Where DBT differs, however, is in how it addresses the identified depressive thought patterns. Where CBT focuses on identifying and changing these thought patterns, DBT focuses on mindfulness strategies.
Mindfulness strategies revolve around acceptance and change. The idea is that you are able to experience the waves of depression without dwelling on the moment or getting swept away by the negative feelings they might include. You are able to focus on the present, rather than the regrets of the past or the concerns of the future. This mindfulness allows you to adapt to many different situations that your depression might otherwise exclude you from.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines CBT with meditation. While sharing similar ideas to DBT in the way it emphasizes being in the moment, MBCT fully embraces meditation as a form of treatment. Whether it is self-directed or guided, meditation helps you gain a greater understanding and awareness of your body, thoughts, and needs.
MBCT keeps you centered on you, in the immediate moment. It helps you focus and be present where you are, rather than where your depression makes you think you could be. As a holistic approach to your well-being, MBCT is a great treatment option for those with depression in Bloomington.
You deserve to live a full, meaningful life the way you want it. Your depression may make you feel like that is not a reality for you. Reach out to Exhale Therapy today to schedule a consultation and learn more about the options we offer for depression treatment in Bloomington.
