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Depression puzzle, whole person treatment, treating depression

Solving the Puzzle: A Whole-Person Approach to Treating Depression

by Joel SchmidtDepression February 2, 2021June 20, 2021No Comments

When it comes to treating depression, there’s no clear-cut one-size-fits-all approach…that’s because depression can be complex – and there are usually multiple contributing factors that can be sort of like puzzle to sort out. Research has pointed us to some answers, though, and some of the causes of depression include: genetic links, brain chemistry, hormonal changes, certain medications or alcohol/drugs, interpersonal conflict, loss, major life events, illness or chronic pain, lack of physical movement/exercise, inadequate …

Getting Past the Barrier of Low Motivation

by Joel SchmidtSelf-improvement May 28, 2020January 10, 2022No Comments

One of the things I see people struggle with most is lack of motivation. This ultimately leads to a vicious cycle of procrastination, carrying the weight of all things left undone, and guilt for putting those things off. Whether we’re talking about exercise, staying organized/clean, keeping up with that to-do list, developing better habits, or daunting work projects, we all struggle at times to find the motivation needed to “just do it”. When we just …

Teletherapy: What it is, Benefits, and How it Works

by Joel SchmidtOnline Counseling March 25, 2020January 6, 2026No Comments

Amid the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing recommendations, people are opting to (or being told to) stay at home. This means that many things that we typically do face-to-face (such as doctor’s appointments, work meetings, and even social interactions) are now being done virtually from home. Many therapists, including myself, are even temporarily taking therapy online in order to protect the safety and well-being of ourselves, the community, and people we work with. So what …

Our Efforts to Support Tampa Bay

by Joel SchmidtTherapy March 18, 2020No Comments

Just like that, everything has changed. Jobs are being lost, local businesses are being forced to shut down, lives are being disrupted, and uncertainty about the future has led to widespread anxiety, stress, and panic. At a time when we need to be most connected, we are being asked for good reason to remain “socially distant” – which if it hasn’t already – will be leading to increased isolation and loneliness…There are, however, steps we …

How Learning to Play the Piano is JUST like Therapy

by Joel SchmidtTherapy March 11, 2020January 6, 2026No Comments

So I started piano lessons about 6 weeks ago and this wasn’t the first time. The first time I got started was about a year ago. I took 3 lessons and abruptly stopped. One of the reasons I gave for giving up so soon was that I was “too busy” and too distracted with my professional life. Although there may have been some truth to the fact that I wasn’t really ready, a lot of …