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Integrative Counseling

Overcoming Depression/Loss

The loss of a loved one, a favorite pet, or even a job typically cause bereavement. To mourn such a loss is normal and healthy. Painful emotions of grief and sadness normally last around two months during which the bereaved cries frequently and easily. If symptoms of grief persist more than two months or are characterized by marked functional impairment, a preoccupation with worthlessness, suicidal ideation or feeling sluggish and slowed down most of the time ~ it is important to see a competent, caring and well- trained EMDR counselor like Stephanie Nickel, M.A. She listens compassionately while assessing whether her client is experiencing a normal grief reaction or if there are complicating factors that should be addressed in order for the person to heal.

When a person has been sad or excessively irritable for over two weeks and he or she feels weighted down by sadness/depressed mood, and he or she has lost interest in activities that were once enjoyable, then he or she might be experiencing a depressive episode. Most people feel sad or low at some point in life. But clinical depression is marked by a depressed mood most of the day, particularly in the morning. In addition, according to the DSM-IV-TR, a manual used to diagnose mental health conditions, a person who is depressed has at least 5 of the following symptoms: fatigue or loss of energy almost every day; feelings of worthlessness or guilt almost every day; impaired concentration, indecisiveness; insomnia or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping) almost every day; markedly diminished interest or pleasure in almost all activities nearly every day; psychomotor agitation or retardation (restlessness or being slowed down); recurring thoughts of death or suicide (not just fearing death); and a significant weight loss or gain.

The most effective treatments for depression include working with a physician on finding an appropriate anti-depressant medicine and working with a psychotherapist regarding emotional struggles, loss, life circumstance changes, and past and/or present mental or physical pain. Stephanie employs a combination of psychotherapies when treating a person with depression. One of the most empirically supported treatments for depression is Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT). Stephanie helps her clients evaluate their assumptions and beliefs so that maladaptive thoughts and behaviors get replaced by new perspectives and healthier actions.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) is indicated when the depression has connections with a person's history of surviving traumatic or intensely disturbing events. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is an evidenced-based psychotherapeutic intervention initially developed in 1987 to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Shapiro, 1989). EMDR is now recommended as one of the first choice treatments for PTSD (U.S. Department of Veterans' Affairs & Department of Defense 2003, American Psychiatric Association 2004, and National institute for clinical excellence 2005). The structured protocol is designed to assist individuals with the processing of emotionally charged memories by integrating cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic approaches with bilateral stimulation (BLS). BLS involves sensory stimuli that alternately activate left-right hemisphere through visual, tactile or auditory modalities (Shapiro & Maxfield, 2002). Depending on her client's unique situation, Stephanie uses CBT and EMDR - along with empathic listening to help her clients experience healing and compassionate care. Treatment length varies by each individual; however, many of Stephanie's clients experience relief from depressive symptoms within four to six months after beginning therapy.

Contact info:
Phone: 303-500-3266  
Located in Faith Lutheran Church
17701 W. 16th Avenue
Golden, CO 80401

email: Steph@IntegrativeCounselingLLC.com

Website:
 www.IntegrativeCounselingLLC.com