(559) 460-0715

Family Therapist
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Services
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Relationship Problems
    • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
    • Postpartum Depression
  • Blog
    • 2016
    • 2017
    • 2018
    • 2019
    • 2020
    • 2021
  • Contact

Recognize Depression’s Bluffs and Play a Winning Hand

Dec 03, 2020

All too often the illogical nature of depression prevents sufferers from finding relief of their symptoms. Many individuals believe that they are doing what is needed to get better but end up feeling worse. The reason? Depression bluffs its afflicted with empty promises, leaving them even more stuck.


Here are a couple examples of how the disorder can trick people into folding to its will along with the corresponding potential unwanted outcome:

  • Depression Bluff: "You don't feel well enough to see your family even though you declined their company on several consecutive occasions. You just need some more me-time and maybe you will feel better."
  • Unwanted Outcome: More social isolation and apathy
  • Depression Bluff: "You might be happier with more sleep; skip your spin class you were looking forward to this morning."
  • Unwanted Outcome: Loss of interest in meaningful activities and guilt

The good news is that the depressed, and not the depression, hold the winning hand in wellness. Often it is the opposite of what the condition encourages an individual to do (or not do) that will end up helping in the long-run. Fortunately, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) can teach sufferers how to recognize when this is the case in order to break from depression's tyrannous grip.


Below are some CBT strategies that can be used to call depression's bluff:

  • Successive Approximation: This term simply means chunking large goals into smaller, more achievable steps. Since depression leaves individuals feeling overwhelmed, this is a way to be more confident in goal-setting.
  • Behavioral Experiments: Many suffering from depression may hold beliefs that may not be completely true. Behavioral experiments can help people test the validity of these thoughts. The spin class "depression bluff" above would be a candidate for a behavioral experiment. Maybe this individual will actually be happier after a workout versus oversleeping. It is worth a try!
  • Pleasant Activity Scheduling: By rewarding progress with activities that one (used to) enjoy and holding time to participate in them, the afflicted individual may see their apathy dissipate and confidence increase.

Depression will always try to bluff and negotiate you out of these tactics; however, it is you holding the winning hand. Now it is your turn to play it. Please contact us to learn more!



Tags: Fresno Therapist, Depression, Depression Therapy, Depression Therapist, Depressed
Category: Depression Counseling

Loading Conversation

Next »
« Previous

Category List

Couples Counseling (34)
Anxiety Therapy (63)
Family Therapy (20)
Depression Counseling (43)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (27)
PTSD (31)

Tag List

Anxiety Therapis (1)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
Fresno Therapist (77)
Living with PTSD (1)
Minimize Anxiety (1)
Relationship Anxiety (1)
Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
Struggling with Anxiety (1)
Parent Relationship (1)
Healthy Lifestyle (1)
PTSD Symptoms (1)
Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
Couples Counselor (9)
Anxiety in Kids (1)
Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
Fresno CBT (2)
Holiday Season Help (1)
Depression Symptoms (1)
Find a Depression Therapist (1)
Re-building Relationships (1)
PTSD (25)
Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
Counseling Fresno (1)
Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
Depressive Disorders (1)
Addiction Recovery (1)
Stress and Anxiety (1)
Fight Anxiety (1)
CBT Treatment (1)
Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
Family Help (1)
CBT (27)
Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
COVID19 (1)
Poetry (1)
Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
Anxiety Help Methods (1)
PTSD Counseling (2)
Grounding Skills (1)
psychotherapy (2)
Risk of Suicide (1)
Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
Anxiety in Women (1)
CBT Benefits (1)
Counseling Help (1)
Child Therapy (2)
Depression Counselor (6)
Adopted Children (1)
relationships (2)
Bilateral Stimulation (1)
Fresno Family Therapist (6)
Self-Talk (1)
CBT Therapy (2)
improve your relationship (1)
Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
Coronavirus Stress (1)
Stress (3)
family stress (1)
Anxiety Attack (1)
Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
Game Playing (1)
Relationship Advice (1)
Loving Your Spouse (1)
Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
Depression Cure (1)
First Responders (1)
Self-Quarantining (1)
Workplace Anxiety (1)
Therapy Help (1)
Panic (3)
CBT Counselor (1)
Fresno Counselor (17)
Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
Anxiety (27)
Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
Substance Abuse (1)
Supporting Your Partner (1)
Anxiety in Children (1)
Bankruptcy (1)
Reduce Anxiety (2)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
Life Changes (1)
Loss (2)
Change Thoughts (1)
Fresno Counseling (15)
Anxiety Therapy (41)
Benefits of Therapy (1)
Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
Mental Health (2)
Toxic Relationships (1)
communication (2)
new job stress (1)
PTSD and Trauma (2)
Talk Therapy (1)
Therapy Treatments (1)
Have PTSD (1)
Manage Depression (1)
Therapy for Depression (1)
Teen Anxiety (1)
Move Forward (1)
Banishing Anxiety (1)
Postpartum Depression (2)
Thinking Positively (1)
therapy for anxiety (1)
CBT in Fresno (1)
Depression (21)
Couples Counseling (28)
Pets for Anxiety (1)
Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
Combatting Anxiety (1)
Family Therapy (24)
Benefits of EMDR (1)
Depressed (4)
Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
Help Anxiety (1)
Holiday Depression (1)
Trauma and PTSD (1)
Overcoming Anxiety (1)
Dealing with Anxiety (1)
Relationship Therapist (2)
Successful Relationships (1)
Depression Myths (1)
Anxiety Tips (12)
Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
Anxiety Help (7)
Stress Relief (1)
Trauma Therapy (1)
Fresno Therapy (14)
Couples Counselin (1)
Sadness (1)
Fresno Therapists (1)
Get Help (2)
Business Anxiety (1)
Marriage Counselor (1)
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
Family Counseling (1)
Working Together (1)
Family Counselor (1)
Your Mind (1)
suffering from depression (1)
Anxiety Symptoms (2)
post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
Panic Attacks (3)
Cognitive Therapy (1)
Defeating Anxiety (2)
Depression Therapy (19)
Anxiety and PTSD (1)
Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
Handling Anxiety (1)
Reconcile Relationships (1)
Serotonin (2)
Narrative Therapy (1)
Holiday Stress (3)
Dating Anxiety (2)
Relationship Help (2)
Anxiety Counseling (20)
Trauma (5)
Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
Couples Therapist (5)
Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
Individual Therapy (2)
Depression Therapist (7)
Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
Coping Mechanism (1)
Couples Communication (2)
Family Therapist (7)
Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
PTSD Family Therapy (1)
Change (1)
Psychology (1)
PPD (1)
anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
Seeking Guidance (1)
Counseling (4)
Depression Counseling Tips (1)
Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
Relationship Counselor (2)
Death Of A Child (1)
Health and Counseling (1)
Teen Depression (1)
What is Ecotherapy (1)
A Partner with Anxiety (1)
Addiction Therapy (2)
Dealing with Loss (3)
Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
Adolescent Therapy (1)
How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
Addiction (2)
PTSD Therapist (13)
Anxiety Therapist (14)
Communication Classes (1)
Relationship Therapy (2)
Hygge (1)
Couples Therapy (9)
Major Depressive Disorder (1)
Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
Art Therapy for Depression (1)
Anxiety Treatment (1)
Depression Healing Solutions (1)
Adjustment Disorders (1)
Fresno Family Therapy (7)
CBT Therapist (9)
Cannabis (1)
Depression Healing (1)
Holistic (1)
Lifestyle Changes (1)
Growth and Healing (1)
Anxiety Disorders (2)
Social Anxiety (1)
EMDR Therapy (1)
CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
EMDR (1)
Anxious (1)
Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
Families with PTSD (1)
Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
Ecotherapy (1)
Family Therapy Options (1)
Therapeutic Journaling (1)
Starting a New Job (1)
Battling Anxiety (1)
New Moms (1)
Therapy and Depression (1)
Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
Trauma Therapist (1)
Covid-19 (1)
Family Drama (1)
Pandemic Anxiety (1)
Coping with Anxiety (4)
Relationship Counseling (7)
Frantic Thoughts (1)
Anxiety Counselor (5)
Counseling for Depression (3)
Psychoanalysis (1)
Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
Grounding Techniques (1)
Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
Acute Anxiety (1)
Depression Help (2)
Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
Family Communication (2)
What is PTSD (2)
Relief from Anxiety (1)
Group Therapy (1)
Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
Depression Questions (1)
Pandemic Struggles (1)
Anxiety Relief (2)
Alleviating Anxiety (1)
Alleviate Anxiety (1)
Red Flags (1)
Severe Anxiety (1)
Fresno Family Counseling (1)
Therapy (1)
Marriage Counseling (3)
Work Together (1)
Racing Mind (1)
Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
Antidepressants (1)
Anxiety Control (1)
Depression Tips (1)
Anxiety Struggles (1)
PTSD Therapy (20)
Suicidal Teen (1)
About Anxiety (1)
Beat Depression (1)
Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
Depression and Anxiety (1)
Blended Families (1)
Self-care (1)
Anxiety Attacks (1)
Anxiety and Dating (1)
Grounding (1)
Therapy Tips (1)
CBT Help (1)
PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
Panic Coping Tactics (1)
MBCT (1)
Weight Loss (1)
Loss of a Child (1)
Feel Better (1)
PTSD Help (2)
Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
Depression Counseling (23)

Tag Cloud

  • Sadness (1)
  • Depression Counselor (6)
  • Child Therapy (2)
  • First Responders (1)
  • Teen Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (1)
  • Reconcile Relationships (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapist (6)
  • Anxiety Symptoms (2)
  • Anxiety (27)
  • Relationship Advice (1)
  • Depression Symptoms (1)
  • Marriage Counselor (1)
  • Counseling Fresno (1)
  • Risk of Suicide (1)
  • Anxiety Therapis (1)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (5)
  • Therapeutic Journaling (1)
  • Anxiety and Depression Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Therapy (41)
  • Self-Talk (1)
  • Family Communication (2)
  • Anxiety and Dating (1)
  • Help Anxiety (1)
  • Group Therapy (1)
  • Depression Therapy (19)
  • Loss (2)
  • Poetry (1)
  • Bankruptcy (1)
  • Depression and Anxiety (1)
  • Art Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Child Anxiety Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Treatment (1)
  • Narrative Exposure Therapy (1)
  • Reasons to Seek Counseling (1)
  • Manage Depression (1)
  • Postpartum Depression (2)
  • Antidepressants (1)
  • Depression Counseling Tips (1)
  • Fresno CBT (2)
  • Families with PTSD (1)
  • Self-care (1)
  • Family Therapy Options (1)
  • Prioritizing Mental Health (1)
  • Business Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Couples Therapy (1)
  • Depression (21)
  • Counseling (4)
  • Nice Guy vs. Bad Boy (1)
  • Fresno Therapy (14)
  • Your Mind (1)
  • post-traumatic stress disorder (3)
  • Depression Questions (1)
  • Anxious (1)
  • Relationship Therapy (2)
  • Stress (3)
  • Couples Counselin (1)
  • Combatting Anxiety (1)
  • Acute Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety Counseling (20)
  • Banishing Anxiety (1)
  • Relationship Anxiety (1)
  • CBT Therapist (9)
  • Couples Counseling (28)
  • Healthy Lifestyle (1)
  • About Anxiety (1)
  • Thinking Positively (1)
  • Lifestyle Changes (1)
  • Workplace Anxiety (1)
  • Relieving Your Anxiety (1)
  • PTSD Therapy (20)
  • Anxiety Disorders (2)
  • Alleviating Anxiety (1)
  • Depression Tips (1)
  • Depression Cure (1)
  • Couples Counselor (9)
  • Mental Health (2)
  • Reduce Anxiety (2)
  • Family Therapy (24)
  • Fresno Family Therapist (6)
  • Pets Help Children with Anxiety (1)
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (28)
  • Death Of A Child (1)
  • Seeking Guidance (1)
  • Fresno Family Counseling (1)
  • CBT Teaching Techniques (1)
  • Couples Communication (2)
  • Defeating Anxiety (2)
  • Relationship Counselor (2)
  • Have PTSD (1)
  • Adopted Children (1)
  • Fresno Couples Counseling (5)
  • PTSD Counseling (2)
  • Benefits of EMDR (1)
  • Therapy Help (1)
  • Spouse Who Suffers from Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Family Therapy (7)
  • Counseling Help (1)
  • Anxiety in Kids (1)
  • PTSD Family Therapy (1)
  • Serotonin (2)
  • Health and Counseling (1)
  • Benefits of Therapy (1)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exercises (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counselor (2)
  • Pandemic Anxiety (1)
  • Severe Anxiety (1)
  • Addiction Therapy (2)
  • CBT Benefits (1)
  • Panic Coping Tactics (1)
  • Pandemic Struggles (1)
  • Counseling for Depression (3)
  • Fresno Couples Therapist (6)
  • Talk Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Attack (1)
  • Social Anxiety (1)
  • Trauma (5)
  • Grounding Techniques (1)
  • Fight Anxiety (1)
  • Anxiety and PTSD (1)
  • Fresno CBT Therapist (5)
  • Get Help (2)
  • Overcoming Anxiety (1)
  • Ecotherapy (1)
  • Pets for Anxiety (1)
  • EMDR (1)
  • Adjustment Disorders (1)
  • Life Changes (1)
  • Anxiety Therapist (14)
  • therapy for anxiety (1)
  • Holiday Depression (1)
  • Covid-19 (1)
  • Growth and Healing (1)
  • Depression Healing Solutions (1)
  • Marriage Counseling (3)
  • Jodi Mitchell Therapist (1)
  • Hygge (1)
  • Fresno Counseling (15)
  • PTSD (25)
  • Relationship Therapist (2)
  • Couple Counselor. Fresno Couples Counseling (1)
  • Addiction (2)
  • Suicidal Teen (1)
  • Supporting Your Partner (1)
  • Dating Anxiety (2)
  • Frantic Thoughts (1)
  • Parent Relationship (1)
  • Toxic Relationships (1)
  • Family Counselor (1)
  • Therapy and Depression (1)
  • Relief from Anxiety (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapy (3)
  • Alleviate Anxiety and Depression (1)
  • Fresno Therapist (77)
  • CBT Treatment (1)
  • family stress (1)
  • Therapy Treatments (1)
  • Holiday Stress (3)
  • PTSD Help (2)
  • Substance Abuse (1)
  • new job stress (1)
  • suffering from depression (1)
  • Benefits of Couples Counseling (1)
  • Holistic (1)
  • Fresno Depression Therapist (2)
  • Therapy for Depression (1)
  • Family Drama (1)
  • Grounding (1)
  • Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (3)
  • Change Thoughts (1)
  • Therapy Tips (1)
  • Alleviate Anxiety (1)
  • Bilateral Stimulation (1)
  • Anxiety Help Methods (1)
  • Stress and Anxiety (1)
  • Distressing Thoughts and Emotions (1)
  • A Partner with Anxiety (1)
  • Psychoanalysis (1)
  • What is PTSD (2)
  • Living with PTSD (1)
  • EMDR Therapy (1)
  • Relieve Your Anxiety (1)
  • MBCT (1)
  • PTSD Therapist (13)
  • Anxiety Relief (2)
  • Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Tips (12)
  • PTSD Fresno Therapist (1)
  • Depression Help (2)
  • Coping with Anxiety (4)
  • Starting a New Job (1)
  • Grounding Skills (1)
  • Anxiety Control (1)
  • Trauma and PTSD (1)
  • Depression Therapist (7)
  • Depressed (4)
  • Stress Relief (1)
  • Depression Healing (1)
  • PTSD and Trauma (2)
  • Move Forward (1)
  • Fresno Therapists (1)
  • Struggling with Anxiety (1)
  • Racing Mind (1)
  • Re-building Relationships (1)
  • Self-Care Tips for Teens (1)
  • Work Together (1)
  • communication (2)
  • Fresno Counselor (17)
  • Anxiety Help (7)
  • Working Together (1)
  • Holiday Season Help (1)
  • COVID19 (1)
  • Fresno Couples Counselor (4)
  • Teen Depression (1)
  • Trauma Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety in Women (1)
  • CBT Therapy (2)
  • Narrative Therapy (1)
  • What is Ecotherapy (1)
  • Dealing with Anxiety (1)
  • Individual Therapy (2)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapist (5)
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1)
  • improve your relationship (1)
  • PPD (1)
  • psychotherapy (2)
  • Fresno CBT Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety Counselor (5)
  • relationships (2)
  • Treating Anxiety Disorders (1)
  • CBT in Fresno (1)
  • Depression Myths (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Counseling (3)
  • Feel Better (1)
  • Couples Therapy (9)
  • Relationship Help (2)
  • Coronavirus Stress (1)
  • Successful Relationships (1)
  • Family Help (1)
  • Loving Your Spouse (1)
  • Psychology (1)
  • Young Adults and Anxiety (1)
  • Handling Anxiety (1)
  • Body Image Induced Anxiety (1)
  • New Moms (1)
  • Family Therapist (7)
  • Postpartum Depression Relief (1)
  • How to Deal with Anxiety (1)
  • Beat Depression (1)
  • Anxiety Struggles (1)
  • Fresno PTSD Therapy (4)
  • Major Depressive Disorder (1)
  • CBT Help (1)
  • Dealing with Loss (3)
  • Depressive Disorders (1)
  • Trauma Therapist (1)
  • Depression Counseling (23)
  • Couples Therapist (5)
  • Weight Loss (1)
  • Fresno Depression Counselor (3)
  • Fresno Depression Counseling (1)
  • Game Playing (1)
  • Blended Families (1)
  • Self-Quarantining (1)
  • Panic (3)
  • Minimize Anxiety (1)
  • Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • Anxiety in Children (1)
  • Loss of a Child (1)
  • Fresno Anxiety Therapyy (1)
  • Panic Attacks (3)
  • CBT (27)
  • Battling Anxiety (1)
  • Communication Classes (1)
  • Addiction Recovery (1)
  • Red Flags (1)
  • Corona Virus Anxiety (1)
  • Relationship Counseling (7)
  • PTSD Symptoms (1)
  • Cognitive Therapy (1)
  • Cannabis (1)
  • Adolescent Therapy (1)
  • Find a Depression Therapist (1)
  • anxiety therapy in Fresno (1)
  • Fresno Depression Therapy (4)
  • Family Counseling (1)
  • Anxiety Attacks (1)
  • Change (1)
  • CBT Counselor (1)
  • Coping Mechanism (1)
 

Archive

2019

  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2020

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

2021

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr

Family counseling therapy for marriage, families, behavioral, depression & anxiety by a certified therapist serving:

  • Frenso
  • Kingsburg
  • Oakhurst
  • Vialia

Contact

  • (559) 460-0715
  • jodimitchellmft@gmail.com

©2025 Jodi Mitchell. All rights reserved.