Most of us suffer an episode of depression at one time or another. It’s frustrating, it’s paralyzing at times, and it’s uncomfortable.  A person can feel that life will never return to normal. A person who is depressed can feel completely unmotivated. Clinical depression can cause episodes of fatigue. Many people have complained that since they have no motivation, sleep is their only relief.

When a person is depressed, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be the solution. CBT consists of talking with a mental health counselor in a structured fashion.  The counselor helps the client to be more aware of negative thinking or false inaccurate thinking. The client is taught how to view challenging situations in a more focused and effective way.

CBT can help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Negative and painful thoughts can be alleviated with therapy, and serious depression can be helped as well.

People who seek CBT are not necessarily mentally ill. They have developed an emotional issue that they can’t “shake” and they seek help. Many find a short course of CBT is all they needed, while others may continue for months.  Soldiers returning from war with PTSD often need counseling for extended periods of time, whereas a family crisis can be helped in 6 months or less.

CBT is a useful tool in helping to identify problems and teach coping skills to remedy emotional challenges we all experience. It can help manage mental illness and prevent relapses of mental illness symptoms. A person can learn techniques for coping with stressful situations and identify ways to manage emotions.  Medications are sometimes used in combination with CBT.

When life is overwhelming when you can’t get a grip on happiness, a mental health counselor can help, sometimes in just a few short sessions.