Treatment for Depression in West Palm Beach, Florida

Are You Currently Feeling Depressed, or Have You Struggled with Recurring Depression? Explore Treatment for Depression with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT in West Palm Beach, Florida

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad. These feelings are usually short-lived and pass within a couple of days. In contrast, depression can cast a long shadow over daily life, making it difficult to experience joy, connection, or motivation. Major depressive disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about 6.7 percent of the U.S. population age 18 and older, in a given year. While depressive disorder can develop at any age, the median age at onset is 32. For individuals in West Palm Beach and throughout Palm Beach County, I offer support through compassionate, personalized therapy.

Depression is a common but serious illness. When you have depression, it interferes with daily life and causes pain for both you and those who care about you. Unfortunately, many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. You need to know that the majority of these individuals — even those with the most severe depression — can get better with treatment.

Medications, psychotherapies, and other methods can effectively treat people with depression. While I CANNOT prescribe medications, I have vast experience in treating people facing depression and work closely with medical doctors who do prescribe if warranted. At the private therapy practice of Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, I offer structured psychotherapy for depression designed to reduce its burden and foster emotional resilience. Whether you’re facing persistent sadness, lack of energy, or disinterest in life, therapy can help you explore the underlying causes and find a path to meaningful healing.

To schedule an appointment, call my office today at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or fill out the form for a free introductory call.

Key Takeaways

• Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT provides dedicated therapy for depression in West Palm Beach
• Dr. Christiansen’s therapy sessions provide a safe setting for reflection and healing
• Dr. Christiansen’s therapy for depression focuses on managing depression symptoms while supporting emotional recovery, and sessions are tailored to each individual’s needs
• Treatment for depression can address postpartum depression, major depression, and related challenges
• Easily request a free introductory call with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT by phone at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or through the online form

What is Treatment for Depression?

Depression therapy is a focused form of talk therapy that helps individuals understand the sources of their emotional pain and develop tools to manage and experience life more fully. It addresses both the emotional and behavioral aspects of depression, offering a safe space to talk openly and build new perspectives.

Depression comes in many forms — including Major Depressive Disorder, Persistent Depressive Disorder, Situational Depressive Disorder, and Postpartum Depression — and it affects individuals differently. Through counseling, I work with my clients to explore patterns of thought, uncover emotional pain, and help them gain skills to challenge hopelessness and build healthier habits. If you are suffering from symptoms of depression, I can guide you to address and manage these challenges towards minimizing their effect on your life.

Key Benefits of Treatment for Depression

Benefits of depression counseling can include:

• Relief from Depression Symptoms: Experience a decrease in sadness, fatigue, and irritability as therapy progresses.
• Greater Emotional Clarity: Understand your triggers and emotional responses more clearly.
• Improved Self-Esteem: Rebuild a sense of worth and self-acceptance.
• More Stable Relationships: Address interpersonal patterns affected by depression.
• Practical Coping Tools: Learn strategies to manage depressive thoughts and prevent setbacks.

How Depression Counseling Works

Therapy for depression begins with a thoughtful assessment of current experiences and life history. From there, I develop a custom plan based on your needs.

1. Initial Consultation: During a comprehensive intake session, we identify your depression symptoms and the goals of your therapy sessions.
2. Personalized Therapy Plan: I prepare a tailored treatment path to meet your emotional and practical needs.
3. Weekly Sessions: Regular appointments build momentum for healing.
4. Proven Modalities: According to your needs and goals, I apply approaches such as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Narrative Therapy, Interpersonal Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, Behavioral Activation, and Mindfulness-Based Therapies  during our sessions.
5. Progress Reviews: We continually review your progress and the experiences of our therapy sessions to promote growth and adjustment for your needs.

I can guide you through this process to address depressive symptoms and promote a fulfilling life with greater mental health and resilience. During your initial consultation, we can explore whether you are experiencing mild or moderate depression, or whether you are facing a more severe form of depression involving suicidal thoughts or heavy depressive episodes. Professional treatment for mild depression differs from moderate or severe depression.

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, unexpected mood swings, intense irritability, or a symptoms in response to life events that appear to trigger your depression, we will consider these factors in your treatment plan. I will address the details of your experience for an accurate diagnosis so we can find a path forward for your mental well-being.

If you or your family history have shown behavior patterns involving substance abuse, mental disorders, or mood disorders, you should certainly explore treatment options for symptoms of depression with the help of a mental health professional. People with depression may experience this medical condition in patterns that can be traced through their families, and this can help to better inform effective treatment plans in many cases.

Whether you are facing Clinical Depression due to the effects of a personal experience, brain chemistry, or in response to other health conditions such as a chronic illness or chronic pain, I can guide you to build coping skills while I utilize interpersonal therapy and evidence based therapies tailored to your unique situation to help you progress.

Where Does Medication Fit as a Means to Treat Depression?

As a mental health professional, I do not advise on prescription medications, but additional options to treat depression may play a part in a holistic solution to treat depression for your particular case. The first step for people with depression is to discuss symptoms with a mental health professional.

Once you have your depression diagnosed, we can move forward to strategically address it as a medical condition. Additional treatments ranging from dietary supplements or tricyclic antidepressants to brain stimulation therapy and electroconvulsive therapy can often also be effective approaches when used in tandem with psychotherapy, but these likewise depend upon the particular symptoms of depression treated.

Who Needs Therapy for Depression?

Therapy is helpful for anyone struggling with prolonged sadness, emotional numbness, or disinterest in everyday activities. You may need therapy for depression if you experience:

• Persistent feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Disrupted sleep patterns or appetite changes
• Thoughts of self-harm or giving up
• Emotional distress following childbirth (postpartum depression)

You’re not alone — and support is available to you online or in person through my office in West Palm Beach. Therapy can make a meaningful difference in restoring your emotional well-being. Call me today at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or fill out the online form to explore your options during a free introductory call. Begin your healing journey today.

Why Choose Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT for Treatment of Depression?

Experience & Qualifications: Dr. Christiansen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Psychotherapist with a Ph.D. in Humanities and Social Science. Her professional background includes years of helping clients work through, manage, and master depression with thoughtful, research-informed care.

Proven Success: Clients throughout West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County have found direction and healing under Dr. Christiansen’s care. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes long-term progress and personal empowerment.

A Unique Approach: Each therapy plan reflects the uniqueness of the client and their mental health needs. Dr. Christiansen draws on a blend of modalities, integrating CBT, mindfulness practices, and psychoeducational tools to address the specific type and severity of depression.

Comprehensive Support: Depression doesn’t just affect mood — it can influence physical health, work, and relationships. Therapy sessions with Dr. Christiansen involve a tailored treatment plan and consider the whole person, promoting recovery across all areas of life.

Schedule an Appointment for Depression Counseling with Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D. in West Palm Beach, Florida

If you’re feeling weighed down by depression, therapy can help ease the burden. At my depression treatment practice in West Palm Beach, Florida, I provide a safe and supportive space where you can work through your challenges and begin moving toward what matters most in your life.

Help for your depression symptoms is available right here in West Palm Beach. We can start with a conversation in which we will discuss your experiences so I can address your needs and build a tailored plan with practical goals customized to your situation. As a mental health professional with over 20 years of experience, I am committed to helping individuals struggling with depression in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, and the surrounding areas throughout Southeast Florida.

To schedule an appointment with me, Dr. Susan Christiansen, Ph.D., LMFT, call my office today at (561) 688-8787(561) 688-8787 or complete my online form for a free introductory call. Find clarity and calm in West Palm Beach — your healing journey begins here.

Helping Palm Beach County clients achieve peace and harmony since 2000