From a distance, high achievers look like they have it all together. You have graduated from college, own a business, or have a great career, home life, and relationships. Yet, despite your accomplishments, you feel empty, disconnected, sad, and lost.
This can look like waking up every morning and feeling unhappy but going through the motions anyway. Showering, getting breakfast ready, and going to work. Sometimes even going above and beyond and having a belief that when you get ‘there’ to the next accomplishment you will be happy.
Often, you immerse yourself in work to distract from these feelings, but come the weekend, you only want to escape and numb out. You question what’s wrong with you—are you burned out, depressed, or simply incapable of finding joy?
You likely already know a million things you could do to feel better—exercise, socialize, meditate. But when your body is in shutdown mode, even these self-care strategies feel impossible, and the failure to implement them only adds to the shame.
What I want you to know is that you are not broken. Something is going on in your body and mind that deserves your attention.
That’s what depression and burnout are. It’s your body’s way of conserving energy when everything feels too overwhelming.
I’m Kristi Keding, a therapist in Ogden, Utah, specializing in helping high-achieving men overcome burnout and depression. Whether you want to explore the roots of your struggles or focus on building a better future, I’m here to help.
With a customized approach that integrates mindfulness, brain-body therapies, and practical strategies, we can work together to help you reconnect with what matters most—so you can stop just going through the motions and start living a life you love.
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Change
When you’re caught in the cycle of depression or burnout, it can feel like you’re moving through life on autopilot—disconnected, drained, and stuck in patterns that no longer serve you. But there’s a way to interrupt this cycle, even in small, manageable steps.
One powerful therapy skill we often work with is grounding. Grounding helps you get out of your head and reconnect with the present moment, which is key when depression has you feeling heavy or burnout has you overwhelmed.
Try this: 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
This exercise uses your senses to bring you back into the here and now:
Notice 5 things you can see – Look around the space you’re in. Pick out objects, textures, or colors.
Notice 4 things you can feel – Pay attention to sensations, like the texture of your clothing, the chair beneath you, or the warmth of a mug in your hand.
Notice 3 things you can hear – Tune in to the sounds around you, whether they’re loud or soft, close or distant.
Notice 2 things you can smell – Take a moment to identify scents around you, or even grab something with a pleasant aroma, like a candle or lotion.
Notice 1 thing you can taste – If possible, focus on the lingering flavor in your mouth or take a small bite or sip of something.
This simple practice helps you feel more grounded, clear-headed, and connected to the present moment. It is an essential foundation for moving toward a life that feels more balanced and fulfilling.
Remember, healing doesn’t have to happen all at once. Even small moments of mindfulness can create meaningful shifts. Therapy is about discovering tools like this that work for you and building on them to create lasting change.
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Individual Therapy Sessions
This method integrates mindfulness and body awareness to address how past experiences may be affecting your current state. By becoming more attuned to your body’s signals, you can learn to manage depression more effectively and make decisions with greater confidence.
These brain-body therapies help you access and process deep-seated emotional pain and trauma that may be contributing to your depression and indecision. By working through these underlying issues, you can achieve greater emotional regulation and clarity.
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Brainspotting is a powerful therapeutic method that targets the root causes of depression by identifying and processing negative thoughts and emotions stored in the body. By focusing on specific points in your visual field, brainspotting allows you to access and release deeply held emotional traumas that contribute to depression. This approach facilitates deep healing and can offer significant relief from depressive symptoms, making it an effective tool in the journey towards recovery.
During your first depression therapy session, you can expect to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you can openly share your feelings and experiences. The therapist will likely ask you about your history, the symptoms you’re experiencing, and what you hope to achieve through therapy. It’s a time for both of you to build trust and for the therapist to begin understanding your unique challenges, including any negative thoughts that contribute to your depression. This session lays the foundational steps for your therapeutic journey.
Illumine Therapy provides a tailored approach to therapy that resonates with high-achievers facing depression. By integrating brain-body therapeutic methods like EMDR and Brainspotting, Illumine Therapy addresses the complex mental health needs of professionals and business owners. This approach helps clients quickly reconnect with their values and goals, promoting clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose amidst the challenges of life’s pressures and expectations.
To effectively treat depression, therapists employ a range of therapeutic methods tailored to meet the individual’s unique needs. These include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), and psychodynamic therapy, among others. Each method aims to address the underlying causes of depression, helping individuals understand and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This comprehensive approach ensures that clients receive the most appropriate and effective treatment for their complex mental health needs.
Depression therapy for high-functioning professionals often requires a nuanced approach that considers the unique pressures and expectations faced by this group. Therapists may focus on strategies to manage stress, improve work-life balance, and address any underlying issues of perfectionism or burnout. Understanding the complex mental health dynamics of successful individuals is crucial in providing effective, tailored therapy that supports both their personal and professional lives.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is an evidence-based therapy that has proven effective in managing depression, especially when it’s related to traumatic experiences or unresolved emotional issues. This technique helps clients process and integrate traumatic memories, leading to a reduction in depressive symptoms for many individuals. EMDR can be a valuable part of a comprehensive treatment plan for depression, offering hope and healing to those struggling with its effects.
Depression therapy for high-functioning professionals focuses on the hidden struggles beneath success—like chronic exhaustion, perfectionism, or feeling emotionally flat. It addresses internal pressure, identity shifts, and unresolved trauma while honoring strengths. Therapy is goal-oriented, efficient, and tailored to help clients reconnect with purpose without sacrificing their drive or ambition.
Teletherapy, the delivery of mental health therapy through digital means, has emerged as a vital resource for individuals in Utah seeking support for depression. It offers accessibility and convenience, especially for those in remote areas or with busy schedules. Ogden therapists and counselors provide a range of services, including marriage counseling and mental health therapy, via teletherapy. This method ensures that individuals can receive continuous, high-quality care without the barriers of traditional in-person sessions.
Yes, depression therapy can help with physical symptoms like fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbances. Therapy methods such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and body-focused approaches work to reduce the physical manifestations of depression. By addressing both the emotional and physical components, therapy fosters a comprehensive approach to healing.
Tracking progress in depression therapy involves noticing changes in your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors over time. Improvements such as enhanced mood, better coping skills, and increased resilience indicate that you’re moving forward. Engaging in mental health treatment, including depression therapy, helps individuals process experiences and promote healing. When you find yourself living the life you’ve envisioned, facing challenges with new strategies, and enjoying improved relationships, these are clear signs of progress in your therapeutic journey.
