We Effectively Treat Depression Disorders

Depressive disorders do not respond to traditional talk therapy for the most part. At Denver Emotional Health, we provide specialized, structured treatments that are effective in eliminating depressive disorders and that have been shown to work in scientific studies.

The three methods of psychotherapy that we utilize in treating depressive disorders are based in the Internal Family Systems Therapy model, Acceptance & Commitment Therapy and Behavioral Activation for the Treatment of Depression. We offer legal cannabis-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depressive disorders as well.

An Integrative Approach

Generally, a successful treatment for depression is approached by integrating a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches as noted above. Without a doubt, there is no single, one-size-fits all treatment for depression; medications may help, but they certainly do not heal people’s depression more than a band-aid helps cover a wound to allow for the natural healing process to take place. Although some clients may benefit from medication therapy alone, many clients find this to be a “band-aid” approach and come to us seeking a longer-term reduction in their symptoms, or a solution to deal with their depression disorder.

At Denver Emotional Health, our counselors and therapists are trained to apply the most science-informed approaches to make sure that you develop a different relationship with your depression, such that you see the long-term effects change and permanent benefits from our psychotherapy together. Since difficult to treat depression, like anxiety, does not generally respond to traditional talk therapy, we utilize therapy approaches that focus on giving you a long-term solution to your depression. This includes traditional therapies such as Behavioral Activation for Depression, and also newer therapies such as Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT – an enhanced form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), and Internal Family Systems Therapy.

In short, our approach to therapy teaches people to practice acceptance while challenging and facing their fears, and to learn how to access a place of your Self where you can learn to relate differently to the many aspects or parts of our Minds. Behavioral Activation, Internal Family Systems therapy and ACT help people not only tolerate and reduce depression symptoms through exposure and activation, but also allow us to heal at the root of the issue so we no longer need to tolerate depression as it once was ever again. Learn more about IFS or ACT, or continue reading about behavioral activation below.

Behavioral Activation Treatment of Depression

Behavioral Activation (BA) is a powerful and lasting tool in the treatment for depression. This view calls depression a set of learned behaviors – such as avoidance, withdrawal, and rumination – which can be “un-learned” through our actions. It offers hope that people with depression can learn new ways of living more rewarding lives despite feeling however they feel in the moment.

While some therapists focus the entire treatment around BA, this is just one of a few powerful tools we use at Denver Emotional Health. The basic premise of BA is that increased engagement in meaningful activity will decrease depression over time. Normally, someone who is depressed tries to engage in activities that lead to them avoiding unpleasant feelings and thoughts. Generally, however, short-term avoidance of negative feelings will only lead to the long-term maintenance of those same negative feelings. For example, a person may avoid the stress of engaging in conflict with a partner or friend, but this strategy may leave the person with fewer chances for rewarding experiences from positive conflicts; having fewer positive experiences can cause more unpleasant thoughts and feelings in the relationship, leading to more avoidance of conflict, and ultimately more suffering as the fear of conflict leads to depression and anxiety working to avoid it at all costs. The solution to this depression feedback-loop can be to learn how to become more active and engaged with meaningful activities even though you are presently feeling unhappy, anxious, unmotivated, or irritated. While it is not always so simple to do these activities, we encourage through Motivational Interviewing.

The reasons we use Behavioral Activation as a tool is because of the bodies of literature that support it as an evidence-based therapy. It has been known to work at the first level of treatment for many people, and was shown to be as beneficial as anti-depressant medication major studies in treating major depression – without side-effects, and has been shown to be more effective than anti-depressant medications at preventing relapse of depression after treatment has ended as well. The reason for this is because we, as humans, do not have the ability to control how we think or feel in certain circumstances. While our instinct is to try to take control, this action only leads to more suffering in the long-run. At Denver Emotional Health, instead of trying to change the ways people think and feel directly at times, we can work to change behaviors which then lead to a better quality of life while we engage in the deeper work. This works to improve people’s inner experience, thinking and emotions, while also ensuring they are living their best life at the same time.

Let Us Help You Treat Your Depression

In conjunction with mindfulness practices and ACT, within an Internal Family Systems framework, our counselors and therapists at Denver Emotional Health will help you or your loved ones treat their depression in individual or group therapy. We teach clients how to stop the cycle of depression and prevent future depressive episodes. Our therapists help clients eliminate rumination, overcome avoidance issues, and gain more psychological strength and flexibility. At Denver Emotional Health, we will help provide you with individualized treatment for your anxiety disorder symptoms that goes beyond traditional talk therapy. This includes a comprehensive assessment, followed by application of an integrative approach to psychotherapy that is evidence-based.