Discover how starting depression counseling can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
2 therapists available in Meridian
At the heart of my work is creating a safe space where people feel understood and supported as they move toward healing and growth...
About
At the heart of my work is creating a safe space where people feel understood and supported as they move toward healing and growth.
I am a bilingual (English/Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 13 years of experience, licensed in both Nevada and Idaho. I’ve had the privilege of supporting children, teens, and adults in a variety of settings, including family homes, community mental health centers, and private practice. I specialize in helping clients work through challenges such as trauma, anxiety, depression, grief, and life transitions. My style is collaborative, compassionate, and focused on building resilience.
I earned my Master’s in Social Work from the University of Nevada, where I developed a strong foundation in trauma-informed care. I use approaches such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and internal family systems to guide the healing process.
Clients often share that they leave sessions feeling lighter, more grounded, and better equipped to handle life’s challenges. I create a safe space where you feel understood and supported. Together, we can strengthen your coping skills, improve relationships, and build confidence so you feel empowered to bring meaningful change into your daily life.
Education and training
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Whether you are looking for supportive guidance while navigating a challenging situation or as you turn toward a new direction in ...
Whether you are looking for supportive guidance while navigating a challenging situation or as you turn toward a new direction in life, I look forward to working with you to achieve your goals.
Dr. Susan Barrett is a Licensed Psychologist with 20 years of experience in mental health care. Her passion is to empower others with the skills and know-how to achieve life-long change. Dr. Barrett specializes in treating anxious conditions such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, specific phobias, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, adult autism spectrum disorder, and depressive conditions. Dr. Barrett completed her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology at the University of North Texas and her Doctorate of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Ryokan College.
Dr. Barrett also completed the rigorous training and supervision required to become a diplomate of the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies. She takes a collaborative approach to therapy that incorporates the client's self-knowledge, past experiences, and preferences with her own expertise to determine the best plan for treatment.
Dr. Barrett's intent is to create an environment in which you feel supported, understood, and valued. Together, you will work side-by-side throughout the therapeutic process of making sense of your problems, and then developing and applying workable solutions so that you can resolve your symptoms and achieve your goals.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Evening and weekend sessions
Award-winning therapy & psychiatry
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My go-to approach for treating depression is a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and behavioral activation.
I teach clients how to recognize and challenge thoughts that feed into and/or amplify depression, understand the symptoms of depression and how they affect motivation to work on depression, as well as relaxation techniques, self-worth and self-esteem tools, and creative therapy techniques, if appropriate and needed.
I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when they report consistent improvement in mood, increased engagement with the world around them in a healthy manner, and more confidence in dealing with depression as well as other stressors.
Clients can supplement therapy for depression by recognizing that they will need to consciously push themselves to do things differently from what the depression is pushing them to do. For example, a common “homework” assignment I give is to do at least one thing different from your norm every day or to write down 3-5 good things that happened in the day (a behavioral activation technique and/or a cognitive/emotional technique).
To prepare for your first therapy session for depression, you can write down how long you've been depressed, how intense it has gotten for you, any suicidal/self-harming urges or behaviors, how depression has impacted your daily life and functioning, and any triggers that worsen mood.
Depression counseling can help those with major depression, minor depression, postpartum depression, persistent depressive disorder, and more. The providers at Thriveworks in Meridian, ID will develop a unique treatment plan based on your specific experience, needs, and goals.
It is absolutely worth going to therapy for depression — depression counseling helps people better manage their symptoms and get back to living happier lives again.
Depression counseling works by helping people pinpoint life problems, distorted thought patterns, and other causes of their depression, then process and work through them in order to mitigate the negative effects those factors have on their lives.
Common signs of depression include:
Thriveworks depression counseling in Meridian, ID is conducted both in person and online by video. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Depression counseling can last for a few weeks, months, or longer, dependent on the severity of one’s depression as well as their needs and preferences.
At Thriveworks, we accept most major insurance plans, allowing many clients to pay as little as $0–$50 per session with their co-pay. We also offer self-pay options for those out-of-network or without insurance. Self-pay rates for talk therapy range from $160 to $240 for intake sessions and $135 to $195 for follow-ups, depending on your state. For psychiatry services, self-pay intake sessions are $255–$375, with follow-ups ranging from $175–$300, also varying by state. More information on current self-pay costs is available on our pricing page.
While depression can be overwhelming, it is fortunately also treatable. If you’ve been suffering from symptoms of depression and want to speak to a professional mental health counselor, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the licensed therapists at Thriveworks Counseling in Meridian, ID. We look forward to hearing from you.
Depression can take on various forms and can have a dramatic impact on your feelings and behaviors in both the short and long-term. It can affect your sleeping and eating patterns, your ability to enjoy leisure activities, and can result in a lower quality of life if it is not addressed.
For example, people with persistent depressive disorder (PDD) tend to exhibit symptoms such as irritability, lower mood levels, or feelings of hopelessness for a period of at least two years. On the other hand, major depressive disorder (MDD) is typically characterized by intense episodes where clients experience symptoms for a period of two weeks or more.
While no two individuals may experience depressive episodes in exactly the same way, here are some of the most common types of depressive symptoms:
Just because you’re suffering from depression now doesn’t mean it always has to be this way. Therapy has helped countless individuals struggling with depression understand what they’re going through and take steps to live the life they want.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is just one essential tool when it comes to treating depression. This form of therapy helps clients understand the role their thinking patterns play in their symptoms. The mind can have an incredible impact on one’s feelings and behaviors throughout your day. A therapist will work with you to develop problem-solving techniques that you can apply to your daily lifestyle.
Your depression may also be impacted by chemical or biological factors. Your therapist will analyze your situation and determine whether therapy, medication, or some combination of both will be the most effective route for your unique needs.
At Thriveworks Counseling in Meridian, ID we’re dedicated to helping you improve your mental health. Our professional counselors have helped many individuals overcome their depression symptoms and other forms of mental illness to take control of their lives once again.
If you’ve been putting off visiting a therapist, you may find it’s easier and more affordable than you think. In addition to in-person therapy, we also offer online sessions. Evenings and weekend slots are available. New clients can have an appointment within the same week scheduling.
If you want to take the next step in overcoming your depression, make an appointment today at Thriveworks Counseling in Meridian, ID.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Shown in MT
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