Depression

What happened to my child’s energy?

Your son or daughter doesn't seem like themselves anymore. They're sleeping in all the time. They don't feel like doing the things they used to love. They are eating a lot more or less than they used to. The energy they used to have for life is gone, and this may have been happening for a while.

You've done everything you can think of. You've encouraged them, reminded them of how they used to be, tried to help them see the positive in things—but nothing is working.

Depression saps energy and enjoyment out of life, but it doesn't have to stay this way. Your child can enjoy life again and learn how to be resilient in the ups and downs they face. 

Counseling can help your child change their perspective and open up to energy and excitement—both for the now and for the future.
happy teens 87kb.jpg

Through counseling, your depressed teen will learn how to:

  • find enjoyment in life 

  • regain interest in hobbies and friendships

  • develop a carefree spirit so they can authentically smile, laugh, and joke 

  • become interested in hanging out with you and others

  • develop a vision for their future

  • be able to express their thoughts, feelings, and moods

Your child will benefit most from counseling for depression if:

  • they are at least 12 years old

  • they have given up on their hobbies and social life

  • their grades have slipped and they're not performing well academically

  • they are eating and sleeping either a lot more or a lot less than they used to

The counseling process:

Therapy will help your son or daughter identify the areas of life where they’re feeling depressed. The therapist will help them with coping skills and lead them through practices that heal their brain so that they can adapt to what's depressing them.

 

Each therapy session is 50 minutes long. For best results in treating depression, we recommend at least eight consecutive weeks of therapy. This timeframe helps the child and therapist move beyond surface conversations and develop a relationship that focuses on deep healing. Once the relationship has been established, sessions can be moved to biweekly or, if the child has resolved his or her significant struggles, can begin to move toward termination.

thomas-shellberg-26kb.jpeg

wHAT TO EXPECT

wEEK 1:

The first week is the intake session. Colorado’s laws allow for teenagers to be in charge of their own information; the therapist will discuss with teenagers the value of including their parents and/or families in counseling. The intake session also involves beginning to establish a warm and welcoming relationship between therapist and client, so your child feels comfortable opening up and working on their issues in subsequent sessions.

Week 2 and THE FOLLOWING weeks:

The early weeks of therapy will involve building rapport. This is crucial; young people will be more willing to open up and will have greater success addressing their struggles if they trust their therapist. The therapist will evaluate the child’s needs and use a combination of therapies determined to be the best fit for the unique needs of your son or daughter. Your child will also receive homework to be practiced at home. Ongoing and consistent application of skills and tools is necessary for growth.

 

Intermountain Counseling is committed to creating a safe, warm, and welcoming environment for teens and preteens so they feel empowered and equipped to overcome the obstacles in their life.

Termination:

Termination is the agreed-upon ending of the therapeutic relationship once goals are achieved and takes 1 to 3 sessions, depending on your child's needs. The therapist will coordinate with the client to determine what is appropriate. Therapy should be a springboard into life; it’s vital that the relationship not be ended prematurely, which would undermine everything your child has work toward. If termination is deemed appropriate, the therapist will work with your child to establish a plan moving forward so that change remains consistent.