Therapy for Depression & Anxiety

In Atlanta and throughout Georgia

Depression and anxiety can affect mood, thoughts, and behaviors. When combined with an eating disorder, symptoms may become more intense, leading to increased isolation, self-criticism, and distorted body image.

Symptoms of Anxiety & Depression

Those experiencing generalized anxiety and/or depression may have all or some of the symptoms listed here.

Individuals with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or binge-eating disorder, often experience co-occurring depression and anxiety. These mental health conditions can exacerbate and perpetuate disordered eating behaviors, creating a complex and challenging cycle to break. We also list some ways in which depression and anxiety may manifest in individuals with eating disorders.

    1. Excessive Worry: Anxiety often involves excessive worry or apprehension about various aspects of life, including work, relationships, health, or future events. The worry is difficult to control and may interfere with daily activities.

    2. Restlessness or Irritability: Individuals with anxiety may feel restless, on edge, or irritable, even in situations where there is no apparent threat or danger.

    3. Physical Symptoms: Anxiety can manifest in physical symptoms such as muscle tension, trembling, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or shortness of breath. These symptoms may mimic those of a panic attack.

    4. Difficulty Concentrating: Like depression, anxiety can impair concentration, memory, and decision-making abilities. Racing thoughts or cognitive distortions may make it challenging to focus on tasks or make rational judgments.

    5. Sleep Disturbances: Anxiety can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing restful sleep. Insomnia is a common complaint among individuals with anxiety disorders.

    6. Avoidance Behaviors: Individuals may engage in avoidance behaviors to cope with anxiety, such as avoiding certain situations, places, or activities that trigger feelings of fear or discomfort.

    7. Panic Attacks: Some individuals with anxiety disorders may experience sudden and intense episodes of fear or panic, accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, sweating, trembling, or feelings of impending doom.

    1. Persistent Sadness: Individuals with depression often experience persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness that persist for most of the day, nearly every day.

    2. Loss of Interest: Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, is a common symptom of depression. Hobbies, social interactions, and even basic self-care activities may feel unappealing or overwhelming.

    3. Changes in Appetite or Weight: Depression can affect appetite, leading to either significant weight loss or weight gain. Some individuals may experience changes in eating habits, such as overeating or undereating, as a coping mechanism.

    4. Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia, difficulty falling or staying asleep, or oversleeping (hypersomnia) are common symptoms of depression. Sleep disturbances can exacerbate feelings of fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

    5. Fatigue and Low Energy: Individuals with depression often report feeling tired, sluggish, or physically drained, even after adequate rest. Daily tasks may feel exhausting and overwhelming.

    6. Feelings of Worthlessness or Guilt: Depression can be accompanied by feelings of worthlessness, self-blame, or excessive guilt, even in situations where the individual is not at fault.

    7. Difficulty Concentrating: Cognitive symptoms of depression may include difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering information. This can impact work, school, and daily functioning.

    8. Psychomotor Agitation or Slowing: Some individuals with depression may exhibit restlessness, pacing, or fidgeting (agitation), while others may experience slowed movements, speech, or thought processes.

    1. Intensified Negative Thoughts and Emotions: Depression and anxiety can exacerbate negative self-image, low self-esteem, and feelings of worthlessness commonly associated with eating disorders. Individuals may experience heightened guilt, shame, and anxiety related to food, body image, and weight.

    2. Increased Isolation and Withdrawal: Depression and anxiety can contribute to social withdrawal, isolation, and avoidance of social situations, further perpetuating feelings of loneliness and disconnection.

    3. Cognitive Distortions: Depression and anxiety can distort perception, leading individuals to perceive themselves, their bodies, and their behaviors in exaggerated or distorted ways. This can fuel disordered eating patterns and exacerbate feelings of inadequacy or self-criticism.

    4. Coping Mechanisms: Individuals may use disordered eating behaviors as maladaptive coping mechanisms to manage overwhelming emotions, alleviate distress, or regain a sense of control in the face of anxiety and depression.

    5. Physical Health Complications: The combination of eating disorders with depression and anxiety can increase the risk of physical health complications, such as nutritional deficiencies, electrolyte imbalances, cardiovascular problems, and gastrointestinal issues.

Signs Therapy May Help

Persistent Symptoms

If you experience persistent symptoms of anxiety or depression that last for several weeks or longer, it may indicate the need for therapy. Symptoms such as excessive worry, sadness, hopelessness, irritability, or changes in sleep or appetite that interfere with daily functioning or quality of life are common indicators.

Negative Coping Mechanisms

Engaging in harmful coping mechanisms, such as substance abuse, self-harm, or disordered eating, to alleviate symptoms of anxiety or depression indicates the need for professional support. Therapy can help you identify healthier coping strategies and address underlying issues contributing to maladaptive behaviors.

Self Isolation

Withdrawing from social activities, hobbies, or interests once enjoyed is a common symptom of depression and anxiety. If you’re isolating yourself from others, experiencing feelings of loneliness, or avoiding activities that bring you joy, therapy can help you reconnect with your interests and find meaning and purpose in your life.

Decline in Functioning

A noticeable decline in academic, occupational, or social functioning may indicate the need for therapy. Difficulty concentrating, decreased productivity, absenteeism, or avoiding responsibilities are signs that anxiety or depression may be impacting your ability to fulfill your daily obligations and responsibilities.

Impact on Relationships

Anxiety and depression can strain relationships with family, friends, or colleagues. If your symptoms are affecting your interpersonal relationships, causing conflict, or leading to social withdrawal or isolation, therapy can help you develop healthier communication skills, boundary-setting, and relationship dynamics.

Physical Symptoms

Physical symptoms such as chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, or unexplained aches and pains can be manifestations of underlying anxiety or depression. Addressing the psychological root causes through therapy can alleviate these physical symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Therapy We Use for Anxiety & Depression

  • Somatic Therapy

    Somatic therapy recognizes the mind-body connection and focuses on bodily sensations, movements, and experiences to promote healing. Techniques such as body scanning, breathwork, and gentle movement are used to help individuals release tension, process trauma, and increase body awareness. By exploring how emotions and memories are stored in the body, somatic therapy can provide relief from symptoms of anxiety and depression by addressing the root causes of distress at a physiological level.

  • Mindful Self Compassion

    Mindful self-compassion involves cultivating a kind and accepting attitude towards oneself, especially during times of difficulty or suffering. By combining mindfulness practices with self-compassion exercises, individuals learn to acknowledge and validate their emotions without judgment. This approach helps reduce self-criticism, perfectionism, and feelings of inadequacy commonly associated with anxiety and depression. Practicing self-compassion fosters resilience and emotional well-being by promoting a sense of inner warmth, connection, and acceptance.

  • Narrative Therapy

    Narrative therapy explores how individuals construct meaning and identity through the stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. By externalizing problems and examining the cultural, social, and personal narratives that influence their lives, clients can gain new perspectives and agency over their struggles. Narrative therapy helps individuals re-author their stories, emphasizing strengths, values, and resources rather than focusing solely on symptoms of anxiety and depression. This process of reframing narratives can empower clients to reclaim their sense of agency and create meaningful change in their lives.

  • Attachment Based Therapy

    Attachment-based therapy focuses on understanding how early attachment experiences shape patterns of relating and coping throughout life. By exploring relational dynamics and attachment styles, therapists help clients develop greater insight into their interpersonal patterns and emotional needs. Healing attachment wounds and fostering secure attachments can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by providing a sense of safety, support, and connection. Attachment-based interventions promote relational resilience and emotional regulation, enhancing overall well-being.

  • Polyvagal Therapy

    Polyvagal theory explores the role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating emotions, social engagement, and stress responses. By understanding the interconnectedness of the nervous system and social behavior, therapists can help individuals regulate their physiological arousal and navigate interpersonal interactions more effectively. Polyvagal-informed interventions, such as breathwork, grounding techniques, and social engagement practices, promote a sense of safety and connection, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. By regulating the body's response to stress and enhancing social engagement, polyvagal interventions support emotional regulation and resilience.

  • Parts Work (Internal Family Systems)

    Parts work, based on Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy, explores the multiplicity of the self by identifying and engaging with different aspects or "parts" of the psyche. By acknowledging and befriending these parts, individuals can cultivate self-awareness, compassion, and integration. Parts work helps individuals understand how different aspects of themselves contribute to symptoms of anxiety and depression, allowing for greater self-compassion and inner harmony. By addressing inner conflicts and promoting self-cohesion, parts work facilitates healing and transformation, reducing emotional distress and enhancing overall well-being.

Ready to get started?

  • To get started, submit an inquiry form here. We’ll reach out to schedule your free 15 minute phone consultation. This call gives us a chance to make sure we both feel like it’s a good fit and to allow you to ask any questions you many have.

  • We will help you schedule your first session and make sure you have access to all intake forms. Typically, you’ll start out with having sessions either weekly or biweekly in order to get momentum going for change.

  • Together, we will create a safe, supportive space in order to get to know your unique experiences and needs, better understand your presenting concerns, assess your current forms of coping, and work with you to create a plan for moving forward in our work together.

  • Using a holistic and compassionate approach, we’ll support you in learning more about what you need, what you feel, and how to respond.

 FAQs: Anxiety & Depression

  • Anxiety is characterized by excessive worry, fear, or apprehension about future events, while depression involves persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or loss of interest in activities once enjoyed. Although they are distinct conditions, they often co-occur and share some overlapping symptoms.

  • Yes, therapy, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based approaches, and other psychotherapeutic interventions, can be effective in treating anxiety and depression. Medication may be recommended in some cases, but it is not always necessary, especially when therapy is combined with lifestyle changes and self-care practices.

  • If you are experiencing persistent symptoms of anxiety or depression that interfere with your daily functioning, relationships, or overall well-being, seeking therapy can be beneficial. Common signs include frequent worry, changes in mood, sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating, and loss of interest in activities.

  • The duration of therapy varies depending on individual circumstances, severity of symptoms, and treatment goals. Some individuals may experience significant improvement within a few sessions, while others may require longer-term therapy to address underlying issues and develop coping skills.

  • It is not uncommon to experience ups and downs during the therapeutic process, especially when exploring deep-seated emotions or challenging negative thought patterns. Therapy can sometimes bring uncomfortable feelings to the surface before they can be processed and resolved. However, with the guidance and support of a therapist, these difficult moments can lead to breakthroughs and long-term healing.

  • Yes, therapy can be particularly beneficial for individuals with a history of trauma or adverse childhood experiences. Therapists trained in trauma-informed approaches can help individuals process traumatic memories, develop coping skills, and foster resilience in the face of anxiety and depression.