M.K. asks from Santa Clara, CA on May 12, 2008
GOOD Therapist for Depressed Teenager
My child has been in talk therapy with an LCSW for over six months for depression and started on medication from a psych about a month ago. So far neither has been especially helpful. My child has stated (and I concur) that the therapy pretty much just consists of venting and getting sympathy. No steps are being taken to help my child overcome self-critical thought habits, distorted/negative perception of the world, etc.
Can anyone recommend a good therapist in the area?
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More Answers
S.S. answers from San Francisco on May 13, 2008
Where abouts do you live? I know a great therapist in Danville at the Diablo Health Center in Danville. They are wonderful and have helped us a lot.
Z.M. answers from San Francisco on May 13, 2008
Hi Margret, I am a marriage and family therapist who specializes in teenagers. My office is in Mountain View and I have office hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings. I use 'cognitive behavoiral therapy' which is the idea that how we think influences how we feel which influences how we behave, which in turn influences how we think. I would work with your child on changing negative thought patterns that may be maintaining the depression. My phone number, if you'd like to talk or schedule an appointment is: ###-###-####.
P.M. answers from San Francisco on May 13, 2008
I can recommend a hypnotherapist, Larry Siebert, in San mateo. ###-###-####. Hypnotheraphy can help your child repattern their brain to remove the old way of thinking. Also, there is a great book The Pathway by Laura Merlin that could help...it has a technique for processing negative emotions while replacing them with positive emotions/thoughts. Also I like Dr. Don Williams in Palo Alto who recommended the book to us.
Good luck - it can be done.
Best,
P.
K.P. answers from San Francisco on May 13, 2008
My friend is a therapist at the Parent Place (I think it is called) in Santa Cruz. Her name is Marisa Abzug- Callender and she is wonderful! If you seek her out tell her Kat referred you.
I saw a therapist when I was a teenager and it was a waste of time, and my parent's money, in retrospect. Unfortunately I did not overcome self-critical thoughts well into my 20s. I hope that your child is able to get the help they need. Good Luck!
C.L. answers from San Francisco on May 14, 2008
I recommend Rebekah's Childrens Services in Gilroy www.rcskids.org (with services in San Jose too). This is an area that they're really great at.
Unless your child feels the drugs are helping, I would consider discontinuing those. Those are over prescribed. About 15 years ago, I overcame sever depression on my own. Is it for everyone? No, but it can be done. Just my 2 cents.
A.S. answers from San Francisco on May 14, 2008
Hi M.,
My husband is a therapist specializing in young adults and depression. You can check out his website at www.paloaltotherapy.com. He uses cognitive behavioral therapy and has great success in helping those with depression in a short amount of time. Good luck.
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