Depression

Note: this is not medical advice…just some things to consider.


Depression can, oddly enough, sometimes be considered a friend. So ask it: “Why have you come to me now? What are you trying to tell me? What healthy thing/s can I do to invite you to leave?”


  • Is someone hurting you physically, verbally, or emotionally? Do you need to remove yourself from a certain environment?

  • Do you feel dread because there is an unhealthy culture at home or at work?

  • Are you doing something that you think you “should” be doing or that society, your family, or a religion says is prestigious, but your spirit is crying out for something different?

  • Do you feel you aren't free to live your life? Is someone or some group trying to limit you? Do you feel you are responsible for other people's fears (they're just manipulating you with tactics—learn to see those tactics for what they are: anger, rejection, etc.)?

  • Do you need to process past pain or loss? Alone, with a friend, process group, or therapist? 

  • Are you engaging in sexual promiscuity and know you should stop?

  • Are you engaging in any other type of immoral behavior and trying to rationalize that it's right for you?

  • Might you be in a cult and need to test it out to see if that's true?

  • Is there an accompanying addiction that might be contributing to this? Addiction is often an unhealthy soothing mechanism to cover pain. Seek to learn what that pain is and how it can be remedied in a healthy way. Therapy can help.

  • Have you reached despair and are ready for grace?

  • Do you feel you’re in an SOS crisis situation and need to give yourself permission to take 1-3 days off from everything and rest? You just might need to cancel everything and do it.


Expect a process of healing to take time. Consider most or all of these options:


  • Counselor/therapist

  • Doctor

  • Talk with pastor

  • Spiritual director

  • Small group at church

  • Coach (including 360-evaluation from 8-10 people in your life)

  • Volunteer/service project


An option for Spiritual Director: Todd Rosspencer: 888-608-3006, spiritualleadership.com.


Get to know the Townsend Character Structure (books include “Changes that heal” by Henry Cloud and “People Fuel” by John Townsend)

—Bond in meaningful ways with others

—Take initiative as your own self and place boundaries on others

—Be super aware of reality, and be okay with imperfections in yourself and others

—Adult well with purpose, follow-through, healthy sexual expression, and mission


Coach trained in Townsend model: DrScottLivingston.com.


Books to consider


“What to do when you don’t know what to do: discouragement & depression” by John Townsend


“Depression: Looking Up from the Stubborn Darkness” by Edward Welch


“Boundaries” by John Townsend and Henry Cloud


“Let your life speak” by Parker Palmer


“The antidote” by Oliver Burkeman


“The power of the other” by Henry Cloud

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