Everyone can feel sad at some point; unfortunately, getting "the blues" can be just a part of life. Sometimes, these feelings persist for longer than a couple weeks, and it can start to feel like these feelings will never end. Depression may feel like no one can help.

Often, when we are suffering from clinical depression we feel sad, little or no motivation, irritable, despairing, and experience hopelessness or isolation from others. In some cases, the threat to harm oneself or take one's own life can be yet another debilitating way that this illness may affect one's well being.

With therapy, you can begin to combat the symptoms of depression, understand its root causes, learn coping strategies for times when the illness may relapse, and your therapist will help you evaluate the most effective ways to possibly change your environment in relation to your depression.

At the Institute for the Advancement of Psychotherapy, we treat depression by working with the individual and in some cases, with the family and/or the couple. We use a variety of treatments, derived from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, family therapy, couples therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), and an integrated approach to suit each person's individual needs. Many of our treatments have proven results. Our staff works to stay on top of the latest research in the field of psychology and psychiatry.

There's help. For a free phone consultation or to set up an appointment with us, call (415) 881-7324 or email us at: info@sfiap.com

• Feeling sad or low a lot
  
• Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
• Feeling anxious and nervous
• Feeling slow and sluggish
• Changes in weight
• Irritability 
• Trouble sleeping 
• Decreased sex drive 
• Having trouble concentrating
• Crying
• Thoughts about suicide