Therapy for Depression in Overland Park & Kansas City
Do you ever feel like getting out of bed in the morning is just too much of a challenge? Do you struggle with an overwhelming feeling of sadness even when you feel like you should be happy? Is it difficult for you to find the motivation to complete tasks, even little ones like making the bed? You may be dealing with depression.
Depression can feel like a burden, but through psychotherapy, people are able to develop skills to address the impact depression has on their life. I’m Dr. Eric Gaughan, a psychologist offering therapy for depression at Gaughan Psychological Services in Overland Park and the greater Kansas City metro.
Is it Depression or Am I Just Sad?
Those who struggle with depression know that it’s much more than sadness. Some describe depression as a weight that pulls them down. Others describe it as being in a dark hole that makes it difficult to see the light in the world around them. Whatever way you describe depression, even if you struggle to find the words to do so, you likely know it when you feel it.
When a period of depression occurs immediately following the loss of a loved one, dissolution of a relationship, or other life challenge, it can be a natural part of the grieving and healing process.
Emotions are healthy and natural, but disordered depression is a serious concern. Depression can be chronic (recurring regularly with or without an immediate cause) or episodic (coming and going, lasting from weeks to months).
Some of the common symptoms of depressive disorder include:
- Sadness, weariness, or low mood
- Disinterest in or lack of joy in favorite activities
- Apathy or lack of motivation
- Dramatic shifts in mood
- Difficulty concentrating or agitation
- Crying excessively or without cause
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Overeating or loss of appetite
How Does Therapy Help with Depression?
As a psychotherapist, I approach therapy with the goal of helping people improve their ability to understand and process disruptive emotions like the overwhelming sadness and hopelessness that often characterizes depression. Using psychotherapy methods like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), I give you the skills you need to identify the sources of depression, recognize cyclical negative thinking, and take steps toward changing the way you experience and respond to depressed mood.
The overall goal is to help you improve your day-to-day experience and break free from the weight of depression.
Schedule Your Introductory Session
If you’re interested in learning more about Gaughan Psychological Services or what it’s like to work with me, please get in touch. We’ll get started with a short, complimentary consultation over the phone. This session gives you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your psychotherapy solutions before your first full session. It’s a great first step toward investing in your long-term goals.
Getting Started with Psychotherapy
I do my utmost to make the intake process simple and stress free. When you contact Gaughan Psychological Services, we’ll begin the psychotherapy process with a complimentary phone consultation to discuss the issues you are seeking help with, questions you may have about the practice, and whether we might be a good fit to begin work together.
To schedule the initial consultation:
- Please call (913) 562-9588 or email me at drg@kcpsychologist.com
- Leave your name, phone number, and a few good times to reach you that you’ll have enough privacy to briefly discuss the issues you hope to work on in therapy.
- I will return your call, typically within 24 hours unless you have specified another time, to conduct the free brief consultation that lasts about 10 minutes.
Fees & Payment
Payment may be made by debit/credit card, HSA/FSA card, check, or cash and is collected at the time of service.
If the price of treatment is the only thing getting in the way of starting work with me, I invite you to contact me. There are options available to help those with need to fit the cost of psychotherapy into their budgets. It is my goal to offer as much flexibility and accessibility as possible to ensure those who would benefit from psychotherapy can work with me.
Additionally, I encourage individuals to think of psychotherapy as a short-term investment in long-term happiness. Therapy involves a significant commitment of time and money but also gives you the tools to achieve relief that lasts. My goal with every client is to help them to become their own therapist, so they can effectively manage their anxiety or depression on their own.
Individual Psychotherapy Session
45 minutes: $185
Sessions will typically be scheduled for 45 minutes. Occasionally, we may decide to continue with a session beyond your 45 minute appointment, rather than stop or postpone work on a particular issue. Extended sessions will generally be charged on a prorated basis in 15-minute increments.
Insurance
I am considered an “out-of-network” provider, and I don’t participate in any insurance plans. Although I don’t accept insurance as a form of payment, many insurance plans will reimburse their members a percentage of out-of-pocket expenses after a deductible is met, and you may be able to seek reimbursement from your insurance company for your treatment depending on your coverage.
Through my patient portal, you can access and download a billing statement for your sessions that includes all the information necessary to submit a claim to your insurer to apply for reimbursement. You will then be reimbursed directly by your insurance company based on the terms of your policy.
Please keep in mind that if you choose to utilize your insurance, a psychiatric diagnosis is typically required for reimbursement.
If you plan to independently file claims for reimbursement, I recommend you contact your insurance company to better understand your benefits and reimbursement procedures. You can start by asking:
- Do I have out-of-network behavioral health benefits to see a psychologist?
- If so, what is the coverage amount per therapy session?
- Do I have a deductible for mental health benefits (a deductible is a set amount that you must pay before your insurance company begins providing benefits)?
- If so, how much of the deductible have I met?
- How many therapy sessions are covered, and for what time period?
- How do I submit requests for reimbursement?
For Medicare Beneficiaries: Please note that Gaughan Psychological Services is not a covered provider under Medicare. Medicare-eligible patients may not seek reimbursement from Medicare or their supplemental coverage for services provided.
Notice of Privacy Practices
The Notice of Privacy Practices provides information about your rights and protections related to the use and disclosure of your identifiable health care information. You can download and read the Notice of Privacy Practices below. Since you will complete all necessary forms, including the Notice of Privacy Practices, using the patient portal, there is no need to print and complete this document unless you would like to do so for your own records.