Depression And Anxiety

Dr. Rakel Delevi provides in-person therapy out of Pasadena, and online throughout the state of California

Depression and anxiety are the most common issues that bring my clients to therapy. Interestingly enough, they are the two sides of the same coin, but the source is often the same. While we don't know exact causes of each, we know that some of us have genetic predisposition for one or the other and this predisposition can be triggered by by trauma and adverse life circumstances, or even typical life transitions like giving birth, or retirement. 

Both depression and anxiety commonly manifests physically, through stomach pains, headaches, disrupted or excessive sleep, and motor control difficulty. Some people try to self medicate with substances or overeat as a way of coping, causing them to develop other medical problems. 

I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and mindfulness in order to treat depression and anxiety. I try to get to the root of the problematic thinking habits to change the thinking first and then the behavior. I also recommend a healthy physical activity level, meditation, good sleep hygiene, as well as a balanced diet to complement talk therapy.