Jacki C Stevens, LCSW

Many people have mixed emotions when they start talking to a therapist, most notably, anxiety over starting a relationship with a complete stranger. Believe it or not, the best person who understands the problem in all of its complexity is: the person with the problem. The  role of the therapist is to act as a guide when you can’t seem to find your way clearly. As a helping professional, Jacki C. Stevens, LCSW has the firm belief that it is her responsibility to help you accomplish goals that will render future services unnecessary. She will seek to discourage dependence on advice that may be preventing you from walking on a clear road to wellness.

If you are seeing a psychiatrist, Jacki C. Stevens, LCSW will assist in providing a different perspective, in addition to the psychiatrist’s medication management. Often, medications can be reduced or eliminated over time as you engage in the therapy process and learn new skills for coping.

When you have finally found your sense of balance and can focus on your journey, you have the power to continue with renewed enthusiasm. Your suffering will have decreased, your mind made clear on the bigger picture.

How is this possible? We use scientifically valid, proven therapeutic approaches and providing you with at-home challenges you can use between sessions. These techniques are taught with empathy and understanding, promoting acceptance and balance in your every day world. They promote learning, self-sufficiency, and most importantly, how to prevent and manage future imbalance.

Tips for Depression and Anxiety Treatment, adapted from R. Morgan Griffin

1. Give medicine time to work. Many antidepressants also help with anxiety. You might need other medicines as well. It could take time for the drugs to work — and time for your doctor to find the ideal medicines for you. In the meantime, stick with your treatment and take your medication as prescribed.
2. Put effort into therapy. Although many types of talk therapy might help, cognitive behavioral therapy has the best evidence for treating anxiety and depression. It helps people identify and then change the thought and behavior patterns that add to their distress. Try to do your part: the benefit you’ll get from therapy is directly related to the work you put into it.
3. Make some lifestyle changes. As your treatment takes effect, you can do a lot on your own to reinforce it. Breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and yoga can help. So can the basics, like eating well, getting enough sleep, and exercising. The key is to figure out ways of integrating better habits into your life — something that you can work on with your therapist.
4. Get a second opinion. When they’re combined, depression and anxiety can be hard to diagnose. It’s easy for a doctor to miss some of your symptoms — and as a result, you could wind up with the wrong treatment. If you have any doubts about your care, it’s smart to check in with another expert.
5. Focus on small steps. If you’re grappling with depression and anxiety, making it through the day is hard enough. Anything beyond that might seem impossible. “Changing your behavior can seem overwhelming,” Cook says. “I encourage people to make small, manageable steps in the right direction.” Over time, small changes can give you the confidence to make bigger ones.
6. Be an active partner in your treatment. There are many good ways to treat depression and anxiety. But they all hinge on one thing: a good relationship with your healthcare providers. Whether you see a GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, or social worker — or a combination — you need to trust one another and work as a team.

If you are ready to get started and reside in the Orange County metro area of Southern California, please contact Jacki C. Stevens, LCSW at Jacki.C.Stevens@gmail.com for an initial evaluation.