Alternative Depression Therapy

Ben Schwarcz MFT - Santa Rosa Psychotherapist and Transformational Breathwork Coach

Welcome to the Alternative Depression Therapy website!
Your resource for services and information on alternative and holistic treatments for depression, trauma, bipolar disorder, anxiety and stress. Here you will find support for living a life of purpose, authenticity and freedom to be your true Self.

Most of our mental, emotional and even physical pain is rooted in unresolved emotional traumas that have never been resolved.

"You are not a drop in the ocean.

You are the entire ocean, in a drop." 

-Rumi

Energy Psychology Treatments such as EFT Tapping, integrated with Transformational Breathwork, Meditation, Yoga, Mindfulness, natural health, and Transpersonal Psychotherapy and Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy, offer a deep and life-changing path for healing the pain of depression, and achieving new levels of happiness, vitality and peace of mind, and wisdom.

Learn about the symptoms of depression

The path of transformation is about embracing what is in this moment, and not hiding from pain. It takes great courage to not run from pain, but the path can lead us deeper within, where we may discover the places in us that we've forgotten, neglected or denied.

The experience of what we call "depression" is most often a signal from your heart that something is out of balance in your life. 

When depression is no longer seen as an illness, a misfortune, or an enemy to fight, it becomes a doorway to your authentic Self, your freedom and your joy.

Depression may result from physical imbalances, but more often it is rooted in - 
unresolved grief...
unresolved emotional trauma...
hidden resentments...
unacknowledged guilt...
regrets...

The real source of this pain is different for each person. And each person requires a unique approach to their transformation.

The Alternative Depression Therapy website offers:

• Information about EFT (Tapping) - a powerful Energy Psychology technique that holds great potential as an alternative depression therapy. (This my primary method of helping my clients).
• Information about Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapy.
  
• Information about Transformational Breathwork Coaching
• Information about other alternative therapies.
• New ways of thinking about healing and personal transformation.
• Self-Help Tools and information to assist with your personal growth and recovery.
• Reference guides to products and alternative technologies for wellness.
• Expert answers to personal questions in
  the Ask-the-Therapist Forum.
• Guided Meditations for deep relaxation, expanded self-awareness, and relief from depression and anxiety.
• An introduction to the Santa Rosa Psychotherapy, EFT Tapping and Coaching practice of Benjamin Schwarcz, LMFT, ACAP-EFT
  

Call now to schedule a coaching appointment 707-326-5566 

Or Book a Session Online

Depression is like a bad dream that never ends. It alters our perceptions of ourselves and the world, and causes unbelievable suffering. While depressed, it is very difficult to remember how it feels to be happy, or how to find your way back to feeling normal. Anyone suffering from severe depression, needs immediate, effective treatment, which should usually include both psychological (mental/emotional/spiritual) as well as physical interventions. Somatic therapies and Energy Psychology are excellent choices in most cases.

Lower level depression is even more common in our culture, and easier to hide. We tend to seek happiness by trying to deny or get rid of our pain. But this approach doesn't work. We can spend our lives running from ourselves. Living a life of constant distraction and activity may give temporary satisfaction but will never end in fulfillment. What is it that we all want? Is it enough for you to not be depressed? Or would you like to be truly happy? Well-Being is more than the absence of depression.

What is rarely understood, is that the state that we call depression, is most often a direct result of unresolved past emotional trauma that has "depressed" our very life force on every level. Unresolved traumas actually keep us energetically and emotionally tied to the pain of the past and close us off from new possibilities.

The foundations of authentic happiness:

1. Compassion for yourself (Self-Acceptance) and for others.

2. Mindfulness and Presence (stop what you're doing and take 5 slow deep breathes with full awareness of your body. That's an example of being mindful and present).

3. Dis-identifying from your thoughts and mind. Realizing that you exist apart from your mental content. (Self-Realization)

4. A calm and balanced nervous system, free of traumatic energy.

An alternative depression therapy should focus on both the body and it's energy systems as well as the mind and spirit, on both physical balance as well as raising your consciousness. This website is your portal to a deeper exploration of what it means to find your Self. Effective alternative therapies treat the whole person, so the benefits go beyond the resolution of symptoms. While millions of Americans are suffering from depression, millions more are deeply unsatisfied with life.

Mind-Body approaches help you on your path towards a fuller experience of Aliveness in every moment and in every breath.

True Healing is a shift in consciousness.

Please take your time to explore this website, for ideas, resources, and approaches to treating depression naturally and effectively. Alternative medicines, integrative and complimentary therapies, and self-help tools are all available to assist you on your journey to recovery, and far beyond!

The Alternative Depression Therapy website may serve as a self-help tool, but the use of this information does not constitute a therapist/client relationship and should not serve as a means of self-diagnosis or a substitution for psychotherapy or medical treatment. The information on this site is for informational purposes only. Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Information, techniques and products on this site are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you are experiencing symptoms of depression or a physical problem it is advised that you see your doctor for an evaluation. If you are having active thoughts of suicide please call 911 or the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE.

For information about Alternative Depression Therapy in Santa Rosa, California, or Energy Coaching, EFT Tapping or Meditation instruction please contact me!

Benjamin Schwarcz, MA, MFT
Transformational Coach, and Licensed Psychotherapist (Lic# mfc35606)

ACEP Certified Advanced EFT Practitioner and Trainer

Certified Psychedelic Somatic Interactional Psychotherapist

Transformational Breathwork Coach

509 7th Street
Santa Rosa, CA 95401

707/326-5566

Call for a Free Initial 30-Minute Transformational Coaching Consultation in Santa Rosa or a consultation via phone or video conference.

Copyright 2023 by Santa Rosa Psychotherapist Benjamin Schwarcz. No part of the Alternative Depression Therapy website may be reproduced or copied for commercial purposes without written permission.

What is Energy Psychology?

Client Testimonials

"The breathwork session was amazing. Thanks again! Here is how it went for me -- I felt so free immediately after our session. I literally felt like I left something behind in your office, I kept thinking maybe I forgot my sweater. I felt really happy and physically good. The next day my shoulder blades felt sore, like sore muscles (maybe from the intense breathing? but it’s also where I hold my tension),  it was gone by the following day. Since my session I feel a lot less self conscious and seem to care less about what I am wearing or my appearance etc.. I have also noticed (last couple days) I am doing less mindless eating, stress eating and seem to be eating when I am actually hungry. All great things going on here! If you have any other questions for me let me know." 

- Mary, Transformational Breathwork Coaching Client 2023

"What I have learned from Ben through EFT and meditation has become a big part of my personal  health practice/balance now. I was very skeptical of EFT at the start but in one session I began to experience the beginning of a transformation that would gradually  restore my life. I recommend him to my own clients and family and can't imagine anyone more trustworthy and safe to meet you wherever you are."

- Kaitlyn, coaching and EFT client

"I was a little nervous before meeting and tapping with Ben via Skype but it only took moments before Ben’s peaceful, calming demeanor came through and I immediately relaxed. Ben made me feel comfortable and I had this strong feeling of ~this is exactly where I am supposed to be right now~

It amazed me how quickly Ben was able to intuitively know what areas I needed immediate help with and then guide me through exercises that helped me so very much. I am hopeful for the first time in a while. I feel so fortunate to have had such a positive experience and I would recommend Ben without hesitation.

-Lisa, Energy Coaching Client

"I went to your website and found your “Guided Meditation for Depression”. The 15 minute one. I laid down... just exhausted from all the inner pain and the “trying” to make is stop... and "trying to fix it"... and I listened to your guided meditation for 15 minutes. The inner pain... was simply gone and I could breathe and felt I came back to myself. I felt like my self for the first time in days."

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