California # 141326

Melissa W Cooper

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist

Understanding Depression

What is Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad or having a bad day. While everyone feels down at times but depression can affect how a person thinks, feels, and behaves, leading to both physical and emotional changes that interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Some Common Symptoms

Emotional

  • Persistent Sadness, Emptiness, or Hopelessness

  • Irritability or Frustration, even over Minor Events

  • Lack of Activities Once Enjoyed

    Cognitive

  • Difficulty Concentrating, Remembering, or Making Decisions

  • Recurrent Thoughts of Death or Suicide

    Environmental & Social Factors

  • Life Events

  • Social Isolation

  • Childhood Adversity

  • Socioeconomic Factors

Lifestyle & Behavioral Factors

  • Substance Abuse

  • Sleep Issues

  • Lack of Physical Activity

  • Poor Diet

    Cultural and Societal Influence

  • Stigma

  • Unrealistic Expectations

    Other Contributing Factors

  • Gender

  • Age

  • Family Dynamics

  • Chronic Pain or Illness

  • Medications

  • Seasonal Changes

Factors Contributing to Depression

Biological Factors

  • Genetics

  • Brain Chemistry

  • Hormonal Changes

  • Brain Inflammation

  • Medical Conditions

    Psychological Factors

  • Cognitive Patterns

  • Past Trauma

  • Low Self-Esteem

  • Chronic Stress:

Who Can Experience Depression?

Depression impacts people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It can be caused by a combination of factors, and each person's experience with it can be unique because the causes are often complex and can involve a mix of biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

“Standing alone today demands even more courage and strength than it did in former cultures. From infancy, children have been programmed to perform. Rather than living from their own needs and feelings, they learn to assess situations in order to please others. ”
— Marion Woodman

If you or someone you know is struggling with any symptoms of depression, please reach out. You will be met with compassion and empathy because I know how it can effect the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves, leading to both physical and emotional changes that interfere with daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. 

Step One

My First Priority with every client is to Co-create goals for therapy based on the clients needs and desires.

Step Two

Once goals have been set, I introduce some basic skills to help them manage their emotions. Some tools that I found helpful include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

  • Mindfulness Practices

  • Somatic Practices

  • Healthy Life Style Practices

Step Three

Once a client has a basic understanding of the tools available to manage their emotions, we explore the underlying reasons for it. These could be existential, trauma-related, inherited in your DNA, or something else. Helpful tools include:

  • Depth (Jungian) Practices

  • Somatic Practices

  • Dream Work

  • Art

  • Mythology