Depression Care | Therapy & Medication Management Across Michigan
Have you been feeling down, depressed, or hopeless?
Do you have trouble getting motivated most days?
Are you finding yourself not enjoying activities you once loved?
Have you noticed your child withdrawing, seeming sad, or struggling with things that used to bring them joy?
Is your depression impacting your school or work life?
Are your relationships suffering as a result?
Navigating daily stressors can be highly challenging while living in the fog of depression. Most of your energy might be spent trying to get through each day. You may think, "If I could just feel better, life would be good."
DEPRESSION CAN FEEL LIKE GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS
When you are feeling depressed, even the simplest tasks can seem overwhelming. Daily chores, going to work or school, exercising, grocery shopping, and bathing can all feel like insurmountable challenges. You might not feel like socializing, and then you may feel guilty about isolating yourself.
Almost everyone will feel depressed at some point in their lives. Life can present numerous challenges that contribute to our feelings of depression. Common causes include the loss of a loved one, work or school-related stress, financial issues, relationship concerns, and health-related problems, to name a few. According to Gallup, "The percentage of U.S. adults who report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime has reached 29%, nearly 10% higher than in 2015."
Your loved ones might encourage you to get involved, stay motivated, and remain positive. While these suggestions come from a caring place, they often don't help when you are in the depths of depression. All you want is to feel better. With the support of counseling, you can work towards returning to a life you enjoy.
Empowering Your Mental Health Journey With Integrated Care
Ready to feel better? We’re here to help.
At Giesken Counseling Services, we’ve created a welcoming, judgment-free space where your mental health journey begins with compassion and clarity. Whether you're seeking therapy, mental health medication management, or both, our experienced team of therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners work together to support your healing—every step of the way.
Online Telehealth Therapy and mental health medication management are available to all Michigan Residents.
*Intake for medication management MUST BE IN-PERSON. After initial intake, online/telehealth appointments may be available if desired.
📞 Call us at (810) 626-5191 or fill out our contact form to ask a question, schedule your FREE 15-minute *THERAPY consultation, or book an appointment.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s take the first step together.
Begin your healing journey today!
Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation, appointment, or feel free to ask a question.
Almost everyone will feel depressed at some point in their lives. Life can present numerous challenges that contribute to our feelings of depression. Common causes include the loss of a loved one, work or school-related stress, financial issues, relationship concerns, and health-related problems, to name a few.
According to Gallup, "The percentage of U.S. adults who report having been diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime has reached 29%, nearly 10% higher than in 2015."
Depression can present itself in many ways, and recognizing these symptoms often leads individuals to seek therapy for support. Here’s a list of common signs that might indicate someone is experiencing depression:
Emotional & Cognitive Symptoms
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or emptiness
Difficulty experiencing joy or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness and guilt
Difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or making decisions
Frequent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation (seeking immediate support is crucial in these cases)
Physical Symptoms
Changes in appetite or significant weight loss or gain
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or oversleeping
Low energy or persistent fatigue
Physical aches or pains with no clear medical cause
Behavioral Symptoms
Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities
Reduced productivity at work, school, or daily life tasks
Lack of motivation or interest in life’s responsibilities
Engaging in unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as substance use
The good news is that with the support of a non-judgmental and compassionate therapist, you can work towards living the life you desire.
COMMON THERAPIES FOR DEPRESSION
In our practice, we utilize evidence-based therapeutic approaches that are specifically tailored to address your unique needs. Below are some commonly used techniques (this is not an exhaustive list) that our counselors may incorporate into your personalized treatment plan, depending on what is most suitable for you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is one of the most effective treatments for depression. This approach focuses on identifying and reshaping negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression, empowering you to develop healthier perspectives and coping strategies.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT emphasizes improving relationships and interpersonal communication, addressing how your connections with others may impact your emotional health. By resolving relationship conflicts and enhancing social support, IPT helps foster a sense of connection and stability.
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT combines mindfulness practices, such as meditation and breathing exercises, with cognitive therapy techniques. This method helps you break the cycle of rumination and learn to manage depressive symptoms through a greater awareness of your thoughts and feelings.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Rooted in exploring unconscious emotions and past experiences, psychodynamic therapy helps you uncover deeper underlying causes of depression. It allows you to gain insight into patterns that may be affecting your mood and behavior.
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
SFBT centers on identifying and building upon your strengths and resources. It offers practical tools to help you achieve your goals and move toward positive change quickly and effectively.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT helps you focus on accepting difficult emotions rather than fighting or avoiding them. By emphasizing mindfulness and aligning your actions with your values, this approach empowers you to build a meaningful life even in the presence of challenging feelings.
**Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.)
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) is an evidence-based approach that helps individuals quickly resolve anxiety-related distress. By combining cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), guided imagery, and rapid eye movements, ART reframes negative thoughts and emotions. It allows clients to replace distressing images with positive associations, reducing anxiety symptoms without reliving traumatic experiences. Many find relief in just a few sessions, making ART an effective option for anxiety treatment. **Joleen Beagle, LMSW, GCS therapist who sees clients for A.R.T. counseling sessions.
Depression affects everyone differently, and finding the right approach is key to recovery. Our compassionate therapists are dedicated to working with you to design a plan that aligns with your individual journey and aspirations.
THERAPY CAN HELP YOU GAIN A NEW PERSPECTIVE
At Giesken Counseling Services, each of our therapists has extensive experience assisting individuals in living their desired lives. Your therapist will personalize their approach to suit your needs and collaborate with you to create a plan to alleviate your symptoms.
During your first session, your therapist will seek to better understand your current symptoms, any life stressors contributing to your depression, and your life history. This information will help assess what factors enhance your overall well-being and thought processes. From this foundation, you and your therapist will develop a plan for your therapy journey.
Finding the right therapist fit is crucial, as it allows you to feel safe and open about your struggles. If you ever think that your therapist is not the right match for you, GCS is committed to helping you find someone who is a better fit.
Just as with anything in life, therapy's benefits depend on your commitment level. Regular attendance is essential for achieving consistent and quicker results. Some therapists may assign "homework" to work on outside of sessions. Practicing the approaches discussed during therapy outside of the sessions can significantly enhance your experience.
If you're interested, check out our client testimonials for evidence of our therapists' success with clients. GCS Reviews
At Giesken Counseling Services, we have tailored our client experience to accommodate you! We understand that beginning your therapy journey can be intimidating, so we strive to make the experience seamless and easy for our clients. Contact us today, and let us help you take the first step!
QUESTIONS? LET'S ANSWER THEM
What if I don't like my therapist?
At GCS, we take a tailored approach to ensure that you find the right therapist from the start. If, for any reason, you feel that the initial match isn't working, our administrative team will follow up after your first session to help you switch to a therapist with whom you feel more comfortable. Our commitment is to support you and ensure that you achieve the desired results on your therapy journey with us.
Do I have to come to therapy weekly?
The frequency of your therapy sessions depends on your individual needs! Your therapist will recommend a schedule they believe will benefit you the most. However, if your schedule doesn't allow weekly visits, you can arrange a frequency that works best for you. Most therapists also offer virtual (telehealth) sessions for added convenience.
What if I can't afford therapy?
Many insurance plans cover some or all of the costs associated with therapy. If you have a copayment or deductible, we can discuss setting up a payment plan with our billing department. We accept all forms of payment, including HSA cards. Our goal is to make the payment process as easy as possible, and we typically collect payments when services are rendered unless a prior arrangement has been made. We are always willing to work with you!
Empowering Your Mental Health Journey With Integrated Care
Ready to feel better? We’re here to help.
At Giesken Counseling Services, we’ve created a welcoming, judgment-free space where your mental health journey begins with compassion and clarity. Whether you're seeking therapy, mental health medication management, or both, our experienced team of therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners work together to support your healing—every step of the way.
Online Telehealth Therapy and mental health medication management is available to all Michigan Residents.
*Intake for medication management MUST BE IN-PERSON. After initial intake, online/telehealth appointments may be available if desired.
📞 Call us at (810) 626-5191 or fill out our contact form to ask a question, schedule your FREE 15-minute *THERAPY consultation, or book an appointment.
You don’t have to do this alone. Let’s take the first step together.
Begin your healing journey today!
Schedule a FREE 15-minute consultation, appointment, or feel free to ask a question.
"All three of my children, including one of their significant others, attend Giesken Counseling, and I can't thank Giesken enough! The help that all of them have received over the years has made a tremendously beneficial impact on the quality of their lives. As a family, we ALL highly recommend Giesken Counseling!"
Google Review
“Our school partnered with Giesken this year to run a grief group. They have been excellent to work with - very supportive and willing to come and lead the group right away! I had a really great experience working with David Turner who facilitated the group. He was always prompt, willing to debrief and implement changes based on students' feedback. He was also flexible to come to our buildings for the group sessions at different times to accommodate students' schedules. We received such great feedback from students who found comfort & support from having this type of group with other students during school hours. We can't thank David and Giesken Counseling enough!”
Google Review
"Our grandson has been visiting one of the wonderful counselors at GCS for the last three months, and we couldn’t be happier! It’s heartwarming to see his smile coming back, and he’s enjoying more happy days. Plus, he’s doing a great job managing his emotions. We’re so thankful our daughter discovered GCS for him!"
Google Review
“A loved one saw David. David's patient manner and demeanor were a perfect match. Patient /counselor worked together to develop goals, evaluating progress and roadblocks during sessions. David ensured my loved one felt their treatment plan was their own, ensuring autonomy and respect, building confidence, and providing helpful counsel to specific challenges.”
Google Review
"With a multitude of counselors under their roof, Giesken Counseling will no doubt have the best fit person to speak with you no matter the specific need at hand. Their office is truly compassionate and genuinely committed to helping their clients work through the obstacles they are facing. It's a safe and non-judgmental environment where you will feel comfortable opening up about your needs, concerns, and struggles."
Google Review
“I have been seeing Jessica P. at Giesken Counseling for the better part of a year now, and I cannot recommend her enough! She is wonderful and has helped me immensely as I navigate all the things that come after welcoming a new baby. The office staff are also always friendly as well, and it was very easy to try another counselor (Jessica) when I first started with Giesken after the first person I saw was not a good fit.”
Google Review
I love Laurie and Julia and all the office staff are so sweet! 10/10 recommend!
Google Review
I had the opportunity to refer someone to the GCS Rochester Hills location - the process was smooth for both myself and the client. Cannot recommend this agency enough - wish there were more stars!
Google Review
NP Katie really listens to me and asks questions to fully understand my needs and makes adjustments as applicable. I feel comfortable and heard here.
We invite you to join our quarterly GCS Newsletter mailing list. Our newsletter features mental health awareness, tips, and helpful resources to support your journey towards better mental health.