Depression & Mood

Yes. Depression doesn't always look like crying or hopelessness — for many people it looks like flatness, low energy, losing interest in things that used to matter, sleeping too much or too little, and a general sense of going through the motions. That numb, checked-out feeling is one of the most common ways depression shows up, especially in high-functioning adults who keep meeting obligations while feeling empty underneath. It's worth exploring in therapy.

We start by understanding what your depression looks like for you — what triggers it, what maintains it, and what parts of your life it's touching. From there we usually combine two things: behavioral work (small, structured changes to sleep, activity, and connection that lift mood over time) and cognitive or deeper emotional work (untangling the beliefs and old wounds that keep pulling you down). It's active, collaborative, and paced so you're not overwhelmed.

No. Therapy alone is effective for mild to moderate depression, and many clients recover without medication. For more severe or long-standing depression, the research is clear that combining therapy with medication often works better than either alone. We'll talk honestly about where you fall and coordinate with your prescriber or refer you to one if that seems helpful. The choice is always yours.

If you're asking the question, it's probably enough. You don't need to hit a certain threshold of suffering to deserve support. Most people we see aren't in crisis — they're tired, discouraged, and quietly struggling. Getting help earlier tends to make the work shorter and easier. If you're having thoughts of hurting yourself or ending your life, please reach out today; that's exactly what we're here for.

Yes, though the work looks different than for a first episode. Long-standing or recurrent depression usually has deeper roots — early experiences, chronic self-criticism, unprocessed grief, or patterns that make relapse likely. We slow down and address those underlying layers rather than just managing symptoms. Clients with recurrent depression often see meaningful, lasting change; it just takes a longer runway and a therapist willing to go deep with you.