“I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU, WHEN YOU ARE LONELY OR IN DARKNESS, THE ASTONISHING LIGHT OF YOUR OWN BEING.”
HAFIZ
Your mood often changes based on your environment and the people around you. And the ebbs and flows make it harder to recognize that when you’re down you may be experiencing Depression.
While it doesn’t matter what we call it, I want you to know two things. 1: Others out there have a similar sense of disappointment as you - although you may feel isolated, you are not alone. 2: Your pain is something you can address - feeling content is possible.
You are empathetic, compassionate, and creative. You are bright, thoughtful, and have a good sense of humor. You’re honest, driven, and love to learn.
Yet even with these strengths, you often feel not good enough. You’ve tried to be perfect. You’ve criticized yourself harshly. You’ve avoided yourself. And you’ve been left feeling lonely, empty, and deflated.
I help you meet yourself where you are, supporting you as you step into the dark places, on the path to recovering your inner light. In therapy with me, there is room for humor, pain, joy, anger, awkwardness, vulnerability, strength, and power. You will tear through your self-doubt and come to know your value.
therapy for depression with melanie
common outcomes
before therapy…
→ feeling LONELY, AND WANTING TO HIDE.
→ FEELING EMPTY, heavy, UNMOTIVATED.
→ feelingS OF SHAME, GUILT & INADEQUACY.
→ believing there’s something ‘wrong’ with you.
→ an overwhelming sense of sadness or dEspair.
→ emotionally checking out.
after therapy…
→ MORE intimacy AND CONNECTION.
→ more ENERGY, JOY, love for life.
→ A DEEPER SENSE OF SELF-WORTH & compassion.
→ honoring the gifts your sensitivity offers.
→ a greater sense of possibility & contentment.
→ THE ABILITY TO tune into & REGULATE EMOTIONS.
THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION with melanie
the process
Through a blend of mindfulness-based, psychodynamic and experiential therapy, we’ll unravel the tangle of emotions you’re in, and help you cultivate the practices and awareness you need to experience life in a more fulfilling and joyful way. Here’s how:
1. CONNECTION
An authentic connection is vital to effective therapy. Our hurts, and so, also our healing, happen in the context of a relationship. We are in this together, and I consider that bond sacred.
2. LANGUAGE
It’s such a relief to give voice to the unspoken within us. Once you name it, it loses the power to consume you. Bringing it into the light means you can actually have a conversation with it.
3. BODY
Reintegrating our minds and bodies is key to experiencing our own wholeness. We’ll bring attention to how emotions are seated in the body, so that you can work with, and not against them.
4. SELF-COMPASSION
Time to show yourself the same compassion you so readily give to others. We’ll work through negative self-beliefs and help you cultivate kindness towards yourself as you grow and unfold.
5. JOY
Through mindfulness, you’ll learn to tune in to the beauty and magic of your everyday, so that you can more easily access the joy and contentment that underlies life's constant ebbs and flows.
6. EMBRACE IMPERFECTION
Your freedom is only as great as your self-acceptance. I’ll help you see yourself for who you truly are: deeply good, perfectly imperfect, and so very worthy of love - just are you are, right now.
therapy for depression with melanie
what to expect
01.
Free phone consult
We’ll have a 15 minute chat to talk a bit about your situation and make sure I’m the right therapist to support your needs and goals. If I am, then I’ll send you an intake form to fill out ahead of our first session.
02.
INTAKE sessions
In these initial sessions, we’ll go deeper into your current struggles and history, and get clear on how you want to feel and what you want your life to look like. We’ll then create therapy goals to guide our journey forwards.
03.
REGULAR THERAPY sessions
Our sessions will be an integration of psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness-based therapy, and experiential therapy. While I usually meet clients weekly for at least a year, I may adjust this depending on your needs and progress.
04.
The Final Sessions
As you get closer to your therapy goals, we’ll create a transition plan to help you integrate all that you’ve gained into your everyday life, so that you can continue to grow and thrive beyond our time together.
frequently asked questions
What Do Therapy sessions Cost? +
Each therapy session is $260 for 50 minutes. Cash, Check, Credit Cards, and HSA/FSA cards are accepted.
Do you take insurance? +
I am considered an out-of-network provider. I will provide you with a superbill after every appointment which contains all of the information your insurance company will need to reimburse you. To find out your out-of-network benefits for psychotherapy, contact your insurance company.
How many sessions will I need? +
I usually meet clients weekly for at least a year, though we may adjust this depending on your needs and progress.
Where and When Can I Schedule a session? +
Appointments are held in my Bethesda and Dupont Circle offices. I offer video sessions for clients who reside within Maryland and Washington, D.C. My office is open from 10AM-7:30PM from Monday through Thursday. Get in touch to book a session, or schedule your free 15 minute consultation.