Menu

805-868-0767

Depression Counseling

San lady

Counseling & Psychotherapy in SLO / the Central Coast / California

One of the most common problems people have today is some form of depression.  It isn't always severe and obvious; sometimes it's mild or moderate; but it's still like trying to swim with an anchor tied around your leg, always pulling you down and holding you back.  Sometimes, people don't even recognize that they are depressed.  They may feel chronically frustrated, or they may just feel dead inside, or they may no longer enjoy the things they used to enjoy. 

This past year, we have been given much to feel depressed about; the virus, the social upheaval, the fires, and the political conflicts are all really taking their toll.  It looks like there will be more challenges and difficulties on the road to come.  For as long as our nation is in crisis, there will be a lot of heavy issues to face and to deal with.  And yet, you still have to carry on with your individual life, with all of it's challenges and demands.  Maybe you were already struggling with depression before all these new problems appeared.  Now more than even, it's time for you to take the step and get the therapy and counseling support you need to come about of the depression that holds you down.

There are times when life feels like it's just too much work.  Today's world is complex, fast-paced, competitive, full of daunting challenges, and even frightening possibilities.  Listening to the news doesn't help!  Sometimes it gets overwhelming, and you can feel the light going out of your eyes, the joy going out of your spirit, and your will to go on at an all-time low.  There's no energy to do even the things you want to do.  Maybe there's an obstacle in your life that just won't budge.  Or maybe you've felt this way for as long as you can remember.

Butterfly

"My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style." Maya Angelou

Let's spend some time together and talk it through.  I'm Erik Edler, a therapist/counselor located in San Luis Obispo (SLO).  I am able to meet with local clients in person, but I continue to see many clients by video as well.  Let me know what you prefer and we can talk about our options.  In addition, I can see clients from any part of California by video.

Together, we can get to the bottom of things, and find a path out of the dark woods.  You can have hope, and know what it means to have your energy back, ready to enjoy all the good things that life has to offer.  Please don't put it off any longer; start the healing process here and now.

Many people believe they can deal with their depression simply by doing health-based and behavioral interventions, or with meditation, or medication, and there many therapists who take this limited perspective.  Those things all have their value, but it always leaves the client in a perpetual state of simply "managing" their depression, and giving up hope of ever being truly free of it.  The essential truth about depression is that you are holding something down.  "Depression" means that something is being pressed down.  It might be a bad memory, a terrible feeling, a truth you can't face, anger you can't express, grieving you've never properly done, or something only half remembered, long forgotten, or pushed out of your mind intentionally.  It's probably something that has been pressed down for so long, keeping it down has become second nature, and it will take some work to find it and bring it out.  

Whatever it is, your depression can't be cured until the thing that is pressed down is no longer pressed down, but brought to the surface and dealt with successfully.  I think it's so important for clients to be able to get to the root of their depression and finally deal with what lies at the core, and then become truly free.  I am a therapist who addresses causes and not just symptoms.  Treat the fire, not just the smoke! 

The Real Causes of Depression | Johann Hari


This video is about 90 minutes long, but it's good information.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions; I would be happy to help. You can call me at anytime at 805-868-0767.

My Areas of Expertise - please click on the links below:


Contact Me

LOCATION

Erik Edler LMFT