Depression Therapy Dallas
If you’re struggling with depression, you’re not alone. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, major depression is one of the most common mental disorders in the United States. People of all ages from all walks of life can be affected. An estimated 21 million adults and 5 million adolescents had at least one major depressive episode in 2021. And depression rates have continued to climb to over 18% or approximately 48 million people. But depression doesn't have to be forever. Depression is actually a very treatable condition. Working with a depression therapist in Dallas can give you the support you need to finally find relief.
Does this sound like you (or your child)?
It's hard to get out of bed in the morning. You know that there's things you need to do and places to be, but it's just so hard to get started. Even if you got ten hours of sleep, you feel exhausted.
But despite being tired what feels like all the time, it's so hard to sleep. Falling asleep feels like it takes forever, and you wake up frequently in the night as well. Or you feel like you're sleeping all the time but still feel unrefreshed.
Even the things you enjoy feel like too much effort. Hanging out with friends sounds taxing. You have difficulty concentrating on things like reading or watching TV even if it's your favorite book or show.
The lack of motivation and joy makes it feel like you are a failure or that you are letting others down. You can't seem to see the positive qualities in yourself anymore. Sometimes you wonder if there ever were any.
Your appetite seems different. Some days you don't want to eat at all and have to force yourself. Other days you crave comfort foods and feel like you're eating more than you usually do. Your weight may even fluctuate as a result of your appetite.
You feel sick a lot of the time. Headaches, stomachaches, fatigue... If you can find the energy, you might go to the doctor only for them to tell you they can't find a physical reason that you don't feel well.
Everything feels out of control and hopeless, and you just want to feel better, but you aren't sure how. You're not sure if it is possible to feel better at this point.
It doesn't have to feel this way forever. These can all be depression symptoms, and like any illness, it can be treated. While temporary bouts of sadness are normal, ongoing depression is a mental illness, and with the right treatment, you can feel better. You deserve to feel better.
Depression treatment can serve as a safe space to process your feelings.
Depression therapy in Dallas includes options ranging from traditional talk therapy to advanced clinical treatments and structured hospital programs. Many Dallas practitioners advocate for identifying the severity of symptoms to determine the best approach for therapy. While the most severe cases may need advanced clinical treatments such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), many people do not need hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) where patients attend daily for several hours.
Studies show that attending 45-60 minutes of therapy once a week is highly effective for depression, especially when they complete a prescribed course of therapy, typically 16 to 20 sessions. According to one study from the American Psychiatric Association (APA), about 75 percent of people who receive psychotherapy benefit from it. Reviews of research have also shown that while there are medications that can help, they are not more effective than therapy. Therapists often collaborate with psychiatrists and use a combination of talk therapy and medication to effectively treat depression, emphasizing a personalized approach to each client's needs.
Depression treatment focuses on helping identify potential triggers and life situations that might be contributing to depressive symptoms. For example, some people experience depression seasonally, particularly in the winter or summer in a specific form of depression called seasonal affective disorder. Other people can experience depression as a result of another medical condition such as thyroid disorders or chronic pain, which may require close collaboration with your doctor.
Relationship issues, financial problems, an unhappy work life, and many other daily stressors can all contribute to depression. While these stressors are an unavoidable part of life, therapy can help you learn and practice skills for managing stress to help reduce the impact it has on your well-being.
Everyone copes with life in different ways, and some coping skills are more helpful than others. While they were helpful at some point in your life, it can be hard to identify and replace strategies that are no longer serving you. Therapy can help you identify what is working and replace what isn't with something more effective.
Meet Lindsey Bass, depression therapist in Dallas
In case we haven't been introduced yet: Hi, I'm Lindsey Bass, a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Dallas, Texas area (more specifically, Richardson). I specialize in helping children, teens, and young adults who are struggling with depression learn how to effectively manage their feelings and get back to daily life. Fluctuating friendships, family conflict, school, work, and social media are inherently challenging, but they don't have to define you or your child's life. My goal is to help my clients learn how to manage these challenges in a way that works best for them. If you want to learn more about my background, feel free to visit my About Me page. I want to get into what makes me different from other depression therapists and how I can help you manage challenging situations, improve self esteem, and lead a more fulfilling life.
Who my depression counseling services are for
People often think that children do not get depression, but this isn't true—according the CDC, 4% or approximately 2.5 million children have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder. In fact, one type of depressive disorder—disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD)—occurs only in children. While the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to an increase in depression, it isn't the main factor. Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors increased by about 40% among young people between 2010-2020, indicating that childhood depression isn't just a temporary thing.
Additionally, that’s only those that have an official diagnosis. The actual number is likely much higher. One reason for the lack of diagnosis is that symptoms of depression in young children look different than what many parents expect. Common symptoms of depression in children include:
"acting out" or having frequent emotional meltdowns that are out of proportion to the situation
being irritable or have notable mood swings rather than persistently low mood
having difficulty at school, including changes in grades or refusing to attend
losing interest in activities that they once enjoyed or spending time with friends
Oftentimes these children might be labeled as having "behavioral problems" rather than depression, but trying to modify the behavior doesn't work until the underlying depression that prompts difficulties is addressed.
Children
Adolescents
When people think about adolescents, they often think about the various hormonal and physical changes and attribute sadness and mood swings to just part of the process. And while this can be a part of growing up, sometimes it can mean that your teenager is developing depression. In fact, half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begin by age 14 and 75% by age 24, so it is important for people to take the mental health of adolescents seriously.
According to the CDC, over 18% of teens reported symptoms of depression in the past two weeks. A major depressive episode is often what most people think of when they think of clinical depression. The DSM-5 lists symptoms for a major depressive episode including feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating, among others. But not all teens show this kind of marked change in mood. The CDC also reports that 40% had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. This persistent sadness or irritability may seem like just a part of your child's personality, but could be persistent depressive disorder (PDD), previously known as dysthymia. While people often consider this a "milder" form of depression, it should be taken just as seriously as major depressive disorder (MDD). Due to it's chronic nature, persistent depressive disorder outcomes and prognosis are similar to those of major depressive disorder.
One of the biggest concerns with teenage depression is suicide. Suicide has long been the second leading cause of death for teenagers behind only accidents. For teens who have been dealing with depression symptoms, it may seem like the only way for them to stop feeling this way. But again, depression and suicidal thoughts are treatable. Oftentimes, teens are dealing with a lot of life transitions—and all the associated stress and anxiety to go with them—and they need to talk with someone who isn't a parent or teacher about it. By addressing negative thoughts and feelings early, we can redirect negative thinking patterns and help your teen live their best life.
Depression isn't just a teenage issue. While most people will have had their first episode of depression before the age of 24, that doesn't mean it can't develop later in life, or that it can't reoccur. Depression is often an on-and-off again illness with periods where people feel totally fine and then just don't. And there's evidence that depression is at a historical high with over 18% of adults reporting receiving depression treatment. Including those who have not received treatment, the number is likely even higher.
Choosing a therapist is a personal decision. Adults often benefit most from a therapist who combines professional expertise with empathy, clear communication, and a treatment style that feels supportive and effective for their individual situation. Whether you are experiencing symptoms for the first time or managing long-term depression, therapy can provide meaningful support and practical strategies for recovery and personal growth. My approach will always be collaborative, and whether that looks like discussing career stress, parenting challenges, and relationship concerns with a neutral third party or actively building tools for managing stress and negative thinking, my goal is to help you reach your goals.
Adults
My approach to therapy for depression in Dallas
As a mental health professional, I compare my role to the person in the passenger seat. I'm not driving the car, but I have the map, snacks, water, and the desire to help the driver get where they want to go. Regardless of the type of therapy I am doing with clients, my approach will always be collaborative and affirming. I'm not going to be the best co-pilot/therapist for everyone, and that's okay. But if you're reading this and thinking I might be a good fit, let me tell you more about how I work with clients experiencing depression to help them overcome persistent sadness, lack of interest, and low motivation.
Person-centered Therapy
Person-centered therapy is a lot like what it sounds like. Rather than focusing on only your thoughts or behaviors, it's therapy centered on the entire person. You are the expert on your own life, and if anyone else claims to be, I for one would be a little freaked out. In person-centered therapy, I am not directing where we go, but giving you the time and space to tell me what is most important to you. Is work the most stressful thing? Let's talk about it. Are college applications coming up? Let's discuss balancing those with your already existing school work. I don't know the most important thing unless you tell me what it is, and then once I do know, we can work together as a team to find the best solution for you.
Integrative Therapy
Oftentimes, people think that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the "gold standard" in therapy. CBT focuses on changing underlying thoughts or behavioral to change feelings. I do incorporate aspects of CBT such as identifying and challenging cognitive distortions, but I am not a cognitive behavioral therapist. I believe that people are so much more than their thoughts and behaviors, and that addressing the whole person generates the most relief. That’s why my “home base” is person-centered therapy, but I also incorporate aspects of other helpful therapies for depression, including mindfulness, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and behavioral activation.
Play Therapy
For many children, they aren't able to express themselves in words effectively yet. The most effective child counseling takes into account how the young brain is developing, which is why I am also trained in and utilize play therapy. Children naturally use play as a means to explore feelings and understand their world, and by integrating play, I can meet kids where they are developmentally to help alleviate their suffering and gain additional ways to cope. You can read more about my approach to child therapy here.
Expressive Arts in Therapy
Sometimes it's hard to put your experience into words, and that is where expressive arts might be helpful. Sometimes creating artwork or utilizing figures to represent your experiences can help. Together we can process through creation to identify patterns and potential ways to change habits to promote more happiness. With training in utilizing expressive arts in therapy, I can help clients of all ages when more traditional methods may not work.
Online Therapy
Online therapy has been found to be effective for treating depression, although it may present challenges in building a strong therapist-patient alliance compared to in-person sessions. I offer online services on a case-by case basis for clients over the age of 12 years old.
FAQs about working with a therapist for depression in Dallas
Everyone is sad sometimes, but depression lasts more than a few days and can feel like it will last forever. But with the appropriate treatment and support, it doesn’t have to. Here are some common questions about depression and what it's like to seek treatment.
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In general, research finds that the specific treatment modality actually doesn't make that much of a difference. The relationship between the client and counselor is one factor that often generates the most improvement. Collaboration between the client and therapist, alliance, and empathy are generally regarded as the most important things for establishing a working therapeutic relationship, so I have made them the cornerstones of my practice. I also focus on utilizing forms of therapy that meet my clients where they are developmentally. I work with each client and their families to determine what form of treatment is the best fit for them personally.
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The decision to start therapy is a personal one, and only you can decide what's best for you. Outcomes are never guaranteed, but some potential benefits from therapy include:
Development of Adaptive Coping Skills
Not all coping skills are created equal. Therapy helps you understand what coping skills you are using that are not that helpful and replace them with more helpful ones. For example, many think of procrastination as poor time management, but often it is a way that people deal with uncomfortable emotions. If you’re feeling bad about yourself and what you can achieve, they ignoring it makes the discomfort go away—temporarily. But as you're probably aware, procrastination only puts off the negative feelings, and those feelings may be more intense when you realize that now you have even less time to complete what you need to do. Helping people of all ages learn how to manage negative emotions and cope more effectively is one of the key benefits of therapy.
Better Physical Health
There is a strong link between mental and physical health. People with mental health issues are at increased risk of physical complications as well. Depression may make it hard to get out of bed, feed yourself, or get enough movement. By addressing mental health concerns, people can have not just better mental health, but physical health as well.
Increased Life Satisfaction
Therapy can also help increase life satisfaction while also improving mood and general mindset. It makes sense that if you're feeling better emotionally (and likely physically as well) that you feel better about life in general. So it's no surprise that better mental health is strongly associated with increased life satisfaction.
Better Workplace and Academic Achievement
Another related benefit: people engaged in counseling typically use fewer sick days, experience less disability, report fewer medical problems, and endorse increased work satisfaction. Not only is your child or teen more likely to go to school, children engaged in therapy also have better overall academic achievement, including specific improvements in reading, language, and math.
Improved Communication Skills and Family Relationships
That improved language grade doesn't just show up at school! Counseling can help people of all ages develop communication skills that in turn improve the quality of relationships with family, friends, and others. When a person changes their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it can also benefit the entire family by reducing stress and conflict.
Long-Term Benefits
Several different studies have found that the benefits from counseling interventions are substantial and continue to improve following therapy completion. Additionally, the benefits tend to be comparable or exceed those of medications alone for mental health issues.
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Everyone is different, and the length of treatment can vary based on a variety of factors. According the the American Psychological Association (APA), about half of those in therapy recover after 15 to 20 sessions. Children may take slightly longer with an average of 20 play therapy sessions needed to recover according to the Association for Play Therapy. To put it another way: if those twenty sessions are conducted weekly, the average time spent in counseling would be approximately four months.
However, both the APA and Consumer Reports find that long-term treatment does better than short-term treatment. And depending on why people come to therapy, they may need more time to achieve their goals. People with co-occurring conditions (such as both severe anxiety and clinical depression) or significant trauma may require treatment for closer to 12-18 months.
So essentially: it depends. I work directly with my clients to create a treatment plan that’s customized to their needs. I've helped some children in only ten sessions, but I've worked with some children for much longer. I always collaborate with my clients and their families so that they understand the treatment that they are getting and have opportunities to discuss length of treatment.
Find a way forward with a therapist for depression in Dallas.
Depressive disorders are only behind anxiety disorders for the most common mental health condition worldwide. With a dynamic, personalized approach to therapy, I can help your child learn skills to effectively manage the common issues children and teens face today with confidence. Whether it is through play, activity, or talk therapy, as a licensed professional counselor, I can help your child or teen develop the skills to effectively manage sadness and irritability and practice them in a safe, understanding environment.
Reach out via the phone number or email provided below for a free consultation if you're interested in getting started.