Therapists answer…

How do you work with clients with depression?

M
Michael Clark-Borenstein
Owner, Lead Therapist
Online & In-Person
I grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended Rutgers University in New Jersey, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Sociology minor. Growing up, family and friends always came to me for help and found comfort in talking to me about their challenges. I loved helping them and always knew I wanted a career where I would be able to help people and have a positive impact on their lives. When I was a freshman in college at Rutgers University, I saw Eric LeGrand play football, and during a game, he was paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors thought that he would never be able to breathe independently again, let alone have any movement or feeling in his body. However, LeGrand never let his situation define him. He relearned how to breathe without a ventilator’s assistance and eventually even regained feeling in his body and some movement. Throughout my years in college, I saw the challenges and adversity that he faced. Seeing him still push towards his goals and have such a positive outlook on life helped me realize that I wanted to help people have that same outlook even though they have faced challenges and struggles. I also spent my time at Rutgers volunteering for a mentoring program at a local high school that would help guide students through high school with the goal of earning a full scholarship to Rutgers University. Seeing the positive impact I could have on these student lives further fueled my passion for helping others. During my final year at Rutgers, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Rome, Italy. I developed a love of travel and learning about different people, cultures, and customs. During that time, I traveled to six other countries, where I was immersed in different cultures and traditions, which helped me learn and grow as a person. After graduating, I moved to Washington, DC, where I attended The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, DC Campus, for my Masters in Clinical and Mental Health Counseling. In 2017 my wife and I moved to Charlotte and loved getting to know the city! In 2020 I started Bright View Counseling in Charlotte, North Carolina, to help those struggling and offer a unique type of therapy and counseling. I wanted to create a practice where I could bring a different twist to the typical therapy approach by involving unique and engaging activities during the session, such as going outdoors for walks and outside sessions, playing games, and doing exercises, including our office dog Charlotte.
E
Elizabeth Dikibo
Licensed Professional Counselor
Online Therapy
You may be tired of feeling stuck in the same cycles, weighed down by anxiety that will not let up, or triggered by memories that intrude when you least expect them. Trauma and complex PTSD often show up in both the body and mind, leaving you feeling on edge, hypervigilant, disconnected, or shut down. You might notice racing thoughts, panic, sleepless nights, or a deep sense of loneliness even when you are surrounded by people. In relationships, you may long for closeness yet feel guarded, or find yourself repeating patterns that leave you hurt and unseen. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. I work with individuals who are navigating trauma, anxiety, attachment wounds, and relationship struggles. I use EMDR, somatic approaches, and attachment-focused therapy to help you process painful experiences, release what has been stored in the body, and find relief from symptoms that feel overwhelming. Together, we will create space for your nervous system to regulate, so you can move from survival into healing and begin to experience peace and connection again. I also work with couples and those preparing for marriage who want to strengthen their relationship. Whether you are struggling with communication, trust, conflict, or intimacy, or simply want to build a strong foundation before saying “I do,” couples therapy and premarital counseling provide a supportive space to grow together. Relationships shaped by past wounds or stress do not have to stay stuck in old patterns. Healing as a couple is possible, and you can learn to build connection, safety, and understanding with one another. My approach is compassionate and collaborative. This is not about rushing or forcing change, but about honoring your story and creating new ways forward. You deserve to feel safe in your own skin, to experience relationships marked by trust and love, and to find freedom from the pain you have carried. Healing is possible, and you do not have to walk through it alone. Christian counseling is available for clients requesting it. Contact me for your your free, no-obligation 15-minute video consultation today.
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