Frequently Asked Questions
I am in crisis and I need help now. What can I do?
If you are in danger, call 911. If you are not in danger and are having thoughts about suicide, there are several 24 hour hotlines available for help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255 Hope Center: 800-422-4673 On the web: SuicideIsPreventable.Org Is this therapy?
No, and it is not a substitute for therapy. This course is for people who are living with mild to moderate low moods and want to learn tools to help them thrive, We cover when it is time to seek support from a licensed psychotherapist in this course.
A visit to a psychotherapist often includes making a formal diagnosis of mental illness and creating an individualized treatment plan. Only licensed mental health professionals can diagnose and treat mental illness. Our focus is on educating people after they have a diagnosis or when they are deciding whether they need to visit a licensed professional. Our goal is to provide attendees with tools for dealing with low moods, helping them to maximize interventions already in place and energizing their commitment to self-care. The workshop has a set curriculum of targeted information about depression, as opposed to the kind of individual treatment plan your therapist or doctor would create. What if I need more intensive support?
After you take a workshop, you may decide that you would like to get support from a licensed psychotherapist. We cover the process of finding a good therapist in the workshop.
|
I live with depression and anxiety, will taking a class help me with both issues?
We use a lot of somatic and mindfulness-based tools in our classes, and the approaches we take can be quite helpful to people living with anxiety.
I have never been told by a doctor or therapist that I am depressed, but I have a feeling I might be. Is your workshop appropriate for me?
This workshop is appropriate for anyone with recurrent low moods who is looking for information that can help them decide if they need more serious intervention, or for people who would just like to learn more about managing their moods. Our goal is to provide reliable information about depression and teach practical tools and skills for coping. While formal psychotherapy is a powerful tool, we do not limit registration based on whether or not you have a formal diagnosis from a therapist or psychiatrist.
I am on medication and have seen a therapist for a long time. How can these classes help?
Only you and your mental health team can evaluate what may be helpful for you, but our classes are a solid adjunct to therapy.
Because your therapist is focused on your immediate clinical needs, there is not always a lot of time for the kind of in-depth patient education we provide. Living with long-term low moods can be draining, and part of the intention of the workshop is to re-invigorate your commitment to self-care and help you get the most out of the interventions you already have in place. |