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Dealing with Depression

Depression is an extreme low mood that lasts a long time and makes people feel unhappy, irritable and drained. It can also cause changes in weight and appetite, loss of energy and loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed. Depression affects our cognitive processes with loss of concentration, inability to make decisions, negative self-talk, lack of decisions making and in some cases suicidal thinking.

Depression is Not

Many people feel down from time to time and this is a normal part of life. When things don’t go as planned, arguing with friends and family, receiving a bad mark on a test or experiencing the death of a loved one; are all things that may make your mood drop. A drop in mood will generally alleviate within a week or two, especially if there is an improvement in the situation that started it.

Who Gets Depressed?

Depression is not something that happens to people who are “unusual” or “crazy”, it could happen to anyone. Depression is the common cold of emotional problems. During a given year, a large number of people will suffer from depression.

What Causes Depression?

There is no one cause of depression. Researchers have pinpointed 6 areas of a person’s life that could cause depression:

  1. Your Situation

  2. Your Thoughts

  3. Your Actions

  4. Your Emotions

  5. Physical State

  6. Genetics (Family History)

Your Therapy at Dr. Angela Fountain & Associates?

At Dr. Fountain & Associates we provide a safe and fun atmosphere for children of all ages to explore their feelings and behaviors. We provide an interactive country setting that enables children to explore their concerns in a way that is non-threatening and enjoyable.  Cognitive-behavioral play therapy (CBPT) is an approach to treating children in a developmentally sensitive way. Cognitive-behavioral play therapy involves your child in the treatment through play, using art materials, baking, stuffed animals, puppets, live animals and other toys. CBPT includes the establishment of specific goals, the therapist playing an active role in selecting materials and activities, using play to educate the child, and using praise and rewards to encourage positive behaviors.

How can Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/ Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy (CBPT) Help?

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a structured, practical, and effective intervention to help people with depression. CBT treats depression by identifying and addressing the behaviors and thinking patterns that cause and maintain depression. This particular therapy focuses on the hear-and-now and your present ways of thinking and behaving.

 

Research done by numerous Universities around the world has consistently shown that cognitive behavioral therapy is as effective as antidepressant medication in the treatment of depression. Within 20 sessions of individual therapy, approximately 75% of patients experience a significant decrease in symptoms. Notably, most patients in cognitive behavioral therapy maintain their improved mood 2 years after completing their last therapy session (Leahy & Holland, 2000). You and your therapist will look at how your actions or lack of actions contribute to you feeling bad or good. You and your therapist will also look at the negative and unrealistic ways of thinking that may make you feel depressed. Your therapist will help you select goals you wish to attain and help monitor your progress in therapy. CBT will provide the tools you need to help yourself feel better.

The following outlines the different phases of the Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy treatment that your child would receive for Depression at Dr. Angela Fountain & Associates:

Phase One: The Foundation

  • Establishing a therapeutic relationship

  • Explaining what depression is and isn’t.

  • How to set and make personal goals

  • What are maladaptive behaviors and thoughts

  • Teaching and practicing positive behaviors and interactions and balance thoughts

 

Phase Two: The Nuts and Bolts

  • Teaching and Practicing problem-solving skills

  • Teaching and Practicing Coping skills

  • Identifying and changing maladaptive behaviors

  • Identifying and changing maladaptive automatic thoughts

  • Identifying and changing negative schemas

  • Identifying and changing negative self-talk

  • Identifying and changing negative assumptions

  • Develop realistic and balanced assumptions, schemas, and thoughts

  • Develop different coping plans that help in different situations

  • Learning to reward yourself for your Efforts NOT just your Success

 

Phase Three: Practice Practice Practice

  • Practicing Role playing the different coping and problem solving skills

  • Applying what is learned to real life situations

  • What coping plan works best for you

  • Continue practicing and developing positive assumptions, schemas, thoughts and self-talk

 

Phase Four: On the Right Path

  • Re-visiting goals and making changes if necessary

  • Concrete plan on how to do things on our own

  • Phasing out Therapy (monthly visits)

What Can Be Expected as a Client Recieving CBPT?

CBPT is a treatment that requires your active participation. You will be asked to attend therapy weekly for the initial phase of your treatment (first 3-4 sessions). You will be given out weekly take home assignments to be completed at home to help you practice the tools learned in therapy that encourage modifying your behavior, your thoughts, and your relationships.

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