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?
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.
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.
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!
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.
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: ###-###-####.
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.
