Depression: Individual and Family Therapist

Rochester Marriage Counseling.com
Mark S. White, MS, LMFT
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Individual, Couple and Family Therapy

Board Certified Plastic Surgeons

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Rochester Marriage Counseling.com Depression FAQ
What is depression?
What causes depression?
What are the signs of depression?
How is depression treated?
How can I get help for my depression?

What is depression?
Depression is an illness that affects the body, mood, and thoughts. People who are depressed may feel hopeless, worthless, very sad, and have no energy or interest in doing anything. Some people describe depression as an "empty, or sad feeling that won't go away." This kind of depression that does not go away is called "clinical depression." It is different from feeling "blue" or down for a few hours or a couple of days.

What causes depression?
Many things cause depression. Depression can run in families. Changes in your brain chemistry and living through painful and difficult events in your life can cause depression. Sometimes depression is caused by certain medications people take for cancer, arthritis, heart problems, and high blood pressure. Some illnesses such as Parkinson's disease, stroke, and hormonal problems can cause depression.

What are the signs of depression?
Here is a list of the most common signs of depression. If you have some of these signs that last for more than two weeks, see your health care provider.

Feeling empty, sad, and anxious

Feeling tired, having no energy

Feeling restless and irritable a lot of the time

Crying more than usual

Feeling worthless, helpless, hopeless, and guilty

Having no interest or joy in life

Having trouble sleeping, waking up very early in the morning

Having problems eating too much or too little food

Thinking about suicide and death

Having trouble concentrating, remembering, and making decisions

Having physical problems that don't go away when you take medicine, such as headaches, stomach problems, and pains in your body

How is depression treated?
Most people with depression get better when they get treatment. The two most common treatments for depression are medication and therapy (talking with a trained counselor). Sometimes just one treatment is used and sometimes a person takes medicine and sees a therapist. Health care providers may need to try different medicines to find the one(s) that help you the most. It also may take a few weeks or months on the medicine before you begin to feel a change in your mood and outlook.

How can I get help for my depression?
Here are ways to get help for your depression.

Talk to your health care provider about how you are feeling. Get a checkup to see if there are physical problems or medicines that are causing your depression. Your health care provider can help you get the treatment you need.
Talk to a family member, friend, or religious leader you trust and who can help you find someone to treat your depression.

Depression is not something you can just snap out of and feel better. Depression is a serious illness that needs to be treated. It's not your fault that you are depressed, and you can get better.
Source: Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services

Experience you can trust for the whole family...

Fees for Individual, Family, and Marital Therapy:
My fee for therapy is $125/hour.

I bill most major insurance companies for services rendered. I am approved to provide services through Mayo health systems, Rochester schools, Rochester city and county, United Behavioral Health (UBH), Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Plus, UCARE, Medical Assistance etc. Most people have co-payments between $10 and $25 once they have met their deductible.

I request 24-hour notice for cancellation of appointments, with the exception of emergencies. If you have any questions about my services, please feel free to call me at 507 259-8107 or email me - there is no fee for this. I will get right back to you.

Hours: Days and evenings

Phone: (507) 259-8107
Office: 1530 Greenview Drive SW, Suite 108A, Rochester, MN 55902

Learn more about Mark White's experience in individual, couple and family therapy.