Photo of Asel Kulmeshkenova, Marriage & Family Therapist Associate in 55419, MN
Asel Kulmeshkenova
Marriage & Family Therapist Associate
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Minneapolis, MN 55419
I have had my share of exposure to and experience with mental health problems, depression, abuse, trauma, and unhealthy relationships throughout my life.
I am passionate about navigating and exploring identity, values, and relationship dynamics in a space where clients can be their unfiltered, unique selves outside of societal norms or expectations. My therapy practice incorporates humor and adapts to the needs of my clients, ranging from "saying it like it is" to supporting and nurturing the vulnerable part that show up.
I have had my share of exposure to and experience with mental health problems, depression, abuse, trauma, and unhealthy relationships throughout my life.
I am passionate about navigating and exploring identity, values, and relationship dynamics in a space where clients can be their unfiltered, unique selves outside of societal norms or expectations. My therapy practice incorporates humor and adapts to the needs of my clients, ranging from "saying it like it is" to supporting and nurturing the vulnerable part that show up.
(612) 778-4461 View (612) 778-4461
Photo of Kelly Fern, Marriage & Family Therapist in 55419, MN
Kelly Fern
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
1 Endorsed
Minneapolis, MN 55419
I love working with people who are ready to work to grow. Being in therapy takes courage, and it takes commitment to growth. While I meet my clients where they are, I love encouraging growth at the same time. I use a somatic whole-body and mind approach. I believe people are incredibly resilient when they feel supported and safe enough to express their feelings, thoughts, sensations, meaning making, and to be themselves.
I love working with people who are ready to work to grow. Being in therapy takes courage, and it takes commitment to growth. While I meet my clients where they are, I love encouraging growth at the same time. I use a somatic whole-body and mind approach. I believe people are incredibly resilient when they feel supported and safe enough to express their feelings, thoughts, sensations, meaning making, and to be themselves.
(763) 452-9132 View (763) 452-9132
Photo of Jesse Ellis, Marriage & Family Therapist in 55419, MN
Jesse Ellis
Marriage & Family Therapist, MA, LMFT
Verified Verified
Minneapolis, MN 55419  (Online Only)
Not accepting new clients
I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist but that doesn't mean I only work with married couples or families! It means I have extensive training on how relationships & environments affect our mental & emotional health. I work with individuals, couples, & families of all cultures, including adults, teenagers, & children. I find satisfaction in helping people navigate through difficult life transitions & I strive to create an environment that is accepting & nonjudgmental.
I'm a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist but that doesn't mean I only work with married couples or families! It means I have extensive training on how relationships & environments affect our mental & emotional health. I work with individuals, couples, & families of all cultures, including adults, teenagers, & children. I find satisfaction in helping people navigate through difficult life transitions & I strive to create an environment that is accepting & nonjudgmental.
(612) 887-2734 View (612) 887-2734
Depression Therapists

What is the goal of therapy for depression?

Therapy for depression has several major goals. One is to relieve the mental pain of depression, which distorts feeling and thinking so that sufferers cannot see beyond their current state of mind or envision feeling better. Another is to give people the mental tools to recognize and correct the kinds of distorted thinking that turn a problem into a catastrophe and lead to despair. Therapy also teaches people how to process negative emotions in constructive ways, so they have more control over their own emotional reactivity. And it helps people regain the ability to see themselves positively, the motivation to do things, and the capacity for pleasure.

What happens in therapy for depression?

Perhaps most important, no matter the type of therapy, patients form an alliance with the therapist; that connection is therapeutic in itself, plus it becomes an instrument of change. Patients learn to identify and to challenge their own erroneous beliefs and thoughts that amplify the effects of negative experiences. They learn to identify situations in which they are especially vulnerable. And they learn new patterns of thinking and behaving. They may be given “homework” assignments in which they practice their developing skills. In addition, good therapists regularly monitor patients to assess whether and how much the condition is improving.

What therapy types help with depression?

Several types of short-term therapy have been found effective, each targeting one or more areas of dysfunction. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps clients challenge their negative thoughts and beliefs, learn new behavioral strategies, and curb reactivity to distressing situations. Behavioral activation (BA) is a form of therapy often used in conjunction with CBT; it focuses on engagement in rewarding activity as a pathway to changing negative feelings and disturbed mood. Another widely used approach is interpersonal therapy (IPT), which targets the social difficulties that both give rise to and get exacerbated by depression. Therapists may combine approaches as needed.

Can therapy for depression be done online?

Studies have found that online therapy can be highly effective for treating depression, although it may be more challenging to build a good therapist-patient alliance on screen than in person—at least at first. However, online therapy can offer considerable advantages. Accessibility and convenience are tops among them. Some people actually find it easier to talk about problems online than in person. While online therapy typically limits visibility of facial expression and body gestures that give important nonverbal cues to a patient’s state of mind, it can give therapists a glimpse into a patient’s world and life, providing information that can be highly useful in guiding therapy.

How effective is therapy for depression?

Many studies show that therapy is highly effective provided that patients complete the prescribed course of therapy, commonly 16 to 20 sessions. Over the long term, it is more effective than medication and the effects are more enduring. As a result, psychotherapy has the power not just to relieve current suffering but to prevent future episodes of the disorder. Therapy reverses the dysfunction in neural circuitry that disposes individuals to a negative view of themselves, the world, and their future and they acquire coping techniques, problem-solving skills, and understanding of their own vulnerabilities that are useful over the course of a lifetime.