Depression
Am I Depressed?
Are you feeling down on most days?
Do you have aches or pains?
Do you find it difficult to stop dwelling on situations?
Are you noticing irritability?
Have you lost interest in everyday activities?
Have you gained or lost more than 15% of your body weight?
Do you have difficulty falling asleep, or wake during the night, or wake too early?
Do you feel you have lost energy?
Are you having difficulty with concentration or making decisions?
Are you self-critical?
Do you have difficulty sitting still or make repetitive motions, like bouncing your leg?
Do you notice slowed speech, thinking or body movements?
Do you have thoughts of killing yourself or someone else? (If you have such thoughts, talk to a counselor or doctor as soon as possible. If you have a plan or may act on your thoughts, call 911.)
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Depression Counseling in Crystal Lake and Huntley, IL
Loss of energy or motivation can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming. You may find yourself struggling to focus, feeling irritable, or carrying guilt that strains your relationships. Sleep may be disrupted, and appetite can shift — leading to unwanted weight changes. At Blair Counseling, our goal is to help you regain balance, improve energy, and find effective strategies to quiet your mind and move forward with hope.
Understanding Depression
Feeling down, losing motivation, having trouble sleeping or concentrating — these are all symptoms of depression. The good news is that depression is treatable. While medication can be helpful for some, research shows that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) creates lasting change by targeting how we think and respond to emotions.
At Blair Counseling, we use CBT techniques to help calm overactivity in the brain’s higher thinking centers (the cortex). This approach is proven to reduce relapse rates and improve long-term well-being.
Why We Overthink and How to Stop
Do you find yourself replaying problems, regrets, or irritations? Overthinking can drain the brain’s supply of feel-good chemicals while increasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol. This makes it harder to “put the brakes” on negative thinking.
Through counseling, we’ll explore practical ways to relax, clarify your thoughts, and create a healthier balance in your daily life — one that promotes peace of mind and renewed energy.
The F.A.C.E. Approach to Managing Depression
At Blair Counseling, we use a simple framework to help clients manage emotions and stress: F.A.C.E. – Face, Act, Connect, Enjoy.
F – Face What You Feel
Acknowledge your emotions without judgment. Through mindfulness and deep breathing (“belly breathing”), you can reduce anxiety, restore healthy oxygen levels, and regain control of your reactions.
A – Act with Acceptance
Acceptance doesn’t mean approval; it means acknowledging what’s real. We’ll help you act in line with your values and focus on what brings purpose, meaning, and self-care — from healthy meals to movement and rest.
C – Connect with Others
Depression isolates, but healing happens in connection. We’ll explore how to strengthen relationships with family, friends, community, and faith to build a supportive foundation.
E – Enjoy the Moment
The mind often drifts to the past or worries about the future. Therapy helps you ground yourself in the present — the only place where healing truly happens. Gratitude practices and small daily joys can shift your outlook over time.
Take the Next Step Toward Healing
Depression can make life feel heavy, but you don’t have to face it alone.
At Blair Counseling in Crystal Lake and Huntley, Illinois, our experienced therapists provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to your needs.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey toward renewed energy, clarity, and peace of mind.