When it comes to depression & anxiety, no one is alone. It’s okay to ask for help and, sometimes, that help is what we need to really help us control our feelings & negative thinking. If you’re searching for a therapist for depression & anxiety in Ardmore, PA, read our comprehensive guide below that will guide you through your search process.
Anxiety & Depression CBT Therapist in Ardmore
Which Types of Therapy Help Treat Anxiety & Depression?
Firstly, there are many types of therapy that can help with depression & anxiety: psychodynamic therapy and behavioral therapy are a couple that comes to mind. But the most effective type of therapy for treating anxiety & depression, as proven by research, is cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT.
What makes an anxiety & depression cbt therapist so effective at treating individuals who struggle with anxiety & depression is the overall approach to therapy that CBT takes. Cognitive-behavioral therapy looks to address & tackle the very roots of the individual’s negative thinking, then defeat such thinking with a personalized therapeutic plan.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy can effectively treat the following:
- Generalized anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Phobias
- Consistent worrying
- Irrational thinking
- And others
What Should I Look for in an Anxiety & Depression CBT Therapist?
As with any professional service provider, therapists for depression & anxiety should be well-vetted before they’re hired. Here are a few things you should look for in any therapist for depression & anxiety that you’re considering:
- What’s their educational background? Where did this therapist go to school? How did they obtain licensure?
- What are their client testimonials like? What are previous clients of this therapist saying about their services? Are they seeing results?
- How many years of experience does this therapist have? Ask them about their best and worst work experiences. What do they love the most about the job? What do they dislike about it?
- Are they close to you? While telehealth sessions are convenient, you may find that they’re not as effective as in-person therapy. The setting of the therapy is just as important as the content of the therapy itself. If you’re located in Ardmore, PA, you can get both telehealth sessions as well as in-person sessions with Marcy Shoemaker.
Don’t be afraid to ask your therapist difficult questions & set clear expectations. Make sure you communicate clearly what it is that you’re hoping to get out of your therapy sessions.
What Techniques Does Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Use to Treat Anxiety & Depression?
The premise of cognitive behavioral therapy lies in the principle that how we think can directly impact how we act; if the majority of our thinking is negative or rooted in worry, we will behave as though we are worried, anxious, & depressed, and will have difficulty enjoying even the most trivial things in life as a result.
The primary tactics involved in cognitive behavioral therapy aim to change negative thinking patterns. This is accomplished through self-affirmations, identification of irrational thinking, learning to better understand yourself, facing fears instead of ignoring them, and more. These tactics are grouped within a personalized therapy plan that your anxiety & depression cbt therapist will create for you.
Take Control of your Depression & Anxiety with Marcy Shoemaker, Psy. D. Clinical Psychologist
Ready to take control of your negative thinking? Contact Marcy Shoemaker, Psy. D., to set up your first appointment.