When Everything Feels Heavy, You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
When you’re struggling, you’ve probably heard all the familiar advice: “just cheer up,” “go for a run,” or “someone always has it worse.” But depression isn’t something you can just “think positive” to fix. It’s a real and challenging condition that deeply affects how you feel, think, and navigate daily life. And because it’s so real, it deserves real, effective treatment.
Our Approach is Realistic, Compassionate, and Results-Focused
We Start Exactly Where You Are
Forget digging through the past when you’re just trying to make it through today. We begin by understanding what depression looks like for you, right now. Are you feeling numb? Completely overwhelmed? Exhausted but wired? We meet you precisely where you’re at, without judgment.
We Build Tools You Can Actually Use
Knowing why you’re depressed can be helpful, but it won’t necessarily get you out of bed on tough mornings or help you reconnect with loved ones. Our priority is equipping you with practical strategies that work in real life, especially when you’re in the thick of it. We’ll help you find techniques for those impossible mornings and skills for when your mind tells you nothing matters.
We Honor Your Unique Experience
Depression isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. For some, it’s deep sadness; for others, it’s complete numbness. Some can’t leave their bed, while others appear to function perfectly on the outside. We won’t assume we know what your depression feels like—we’ll learn from you.
We Don’t Rush Your Journey
Recovering from depression isn’t a straight line. There will be good days and harder ones. Some weeks you’ll feel progress, others you might feel stuck. We’re here to work with your natural rhythms, not against them, and support you every step of the way.
Depression Isn’t Just in Your Head. It’s in Your Day-to-Day.
The Physical Weight of It All
It’s the exhaustion that sleep can’t touch, leaving you constantly drained. Everyday tasks that used to be simple now feel monumental, as if gravity has doubled its pull on you. Your body might ache in inexplicable ways, a persistent discomfort that whispers something is fundamentally “off.” And your sleep and appetite? They become wildly unpredictable – either too much or too little, never quite settling into what feels right.
The Emotional Fog
This is where the world starts to lose its color. You might feel numb, distant, like you’re observing your own life from behind a thick pane of glass. Things that once brought you joy now leave you feeling nothing. A relentless loop of guilt, shame, or hopelessness might play in your mind. Even small decisions feel overwhelming, and your concentration seems to slip away with ease.
The Social Disconnect
The urge to withdraw becomes powerful, pulling you away from the very people who care about you, even when you can’t explain why. You might feel like a burden, even if no one says it, and showing up for work, friendships, or even simple conversations feels like an immense effort. You find yourself faking smiles, going through the motions, and the sheer effort of it all is utterly exhausting.
The Inner Dialogue That Drains You
Perhaps the most insidious part is the constant, critical voice within:
“I should be better by now.”
“I don’t matter to anyone.”
“Why can’t I just be normal?”
“Maybe this is just who I am now.”
There’s a Way Out… Even If You Can’t See It Yet
When you’re in the thick of depression, it can feel like there’s no escape, no light at the end of the tunnel. But we want you to know: there is a way out. You don’t need to have all the answers right now. We’re here to help you find them through personalized treatment, genuine connection, and care that truly adapts to you.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Depression
We’ll work with you to pinpoint those unhelpful thought patterns that keep you stuck in depression – the automatic whispers that tell you you’re worthless or that things will never improve. Together, we’ll gently challenge these thoughts and help you develop more balanced, realistic ways of thinking.
Behavioral Activation
Sometimes, the path out of depression begins with taking small, deliberate steps, rather than waiting for an epiphany. We’ll help you identify manageable activities that can start to shift your mood and boost your energy levels. This isn’t about forcing happiness; it’s about building gentle momentum forward.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Depression often impacts our relationships, and conversely, relationship struggles can deepen depression. We’ll support you in navigating these challenges, communicating your needs more effectively, and rebuilding connections that genuinely support your mental well-being.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
We’ll teach you practical skills to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them. This isn’t about achieving a state of perfect “zen”; it’s about creating a vital space between you and your depression, so it doesn’t completely consume you.
Trauma-Informed Depression Treatment
Sometimes, depression is deeply connected to past experiences or ongoing stressful situations. We’ll help you process these experiences at your own pace, while simultaneously building essential skills to manage your depression symptoms in the present moment.
What Happens After You Reach Out
Initial Assessment (1-2 sessions)
We spend time understanding how depression shows up in your life, what triggers tend to make it worse, and what you’ve already tried. We also assess for any safety concerns and develop a crisis plan if needed.
Symptom Stabilization (Weeks 2-6)
Our first priority is helping you feel more stable day-to-day. This might include sleep hygiene, basic self-care strategies, and techniques for managing the most difficult symptoms.
Skill Building (Weeks 6-12)
We work together to develop practical tools for managing depressive episodes, challenging negative thought patterns, and gradually re-engaging with activities and relationships that matter to you.
Relapse Prevention (Ongoing)
Depression often comes in cycles. We help you recognize your early warning signs, develop a personalized action plan for difficult periods, and build a support system that works for you.
Maintenance and Growth (As needed)
As you feel better, sessions might become less frequent. We focus on maintaining your progress and working toward goals that go beyond just managing depression—like building the life you actually want to live.
The Questions You're Probably Asking Yourself
“How do I know if this is depression or if I’m just going through a rough patch?”
If you’ve been feeling down, hopeless, or disconnected for more than two weeks, and it’s affecting your daily life, it’s worth exploring. Depression isn’t just having a bad day or week—it’s a persistent change in how you feel and function.
“What if I can’t afford to feel worse while we’re working on this?”
We understand that you might be barely holding it together as it is. Our approach focuses on stabilizing your symptoms first, then building skills gradually. We’re not here to break you down before building you back up.
“Will you just tell me to exercise and eat better?”
While lifestyle factors can impact depression, we don’t believe in oversimplified solutions. We’ll work with you to identify what changes might be helpful and realistic for your specific situation, without judgment about where you’re starting from.
“What if I’ve been depressed for so long I don’t remember what ‘normal’ feels like?”
Many people experience chronic or recurring depression. We don’t expect you to magically become someone you’ve never been. Instead, we help you define what “better” looks like for you and work toward that vision.
“How long will it take to feel better?”
This varies significantly from person to person. Some people notice improvements within a few weeks, while others need several months to see substantial change. We check in regularly about your progress and adjust our approach based on what’s working.
When You're Ready to Feel Like Yourself Again
Depression can make everything feel impossible, including reaching out for help. But you don’t have to figure this out alone, and you don’t have to wait until you’re “ready” or until things get worse.
Your first step is scheduling an initial consultation where we’ll explore what you’re experiencing and determine how we can best support you. This isn’t a commitment to months of therapy—it’s just a conversation about what might help.
Call (917) 688-2446 to speak with Bibiana about scheduling your depression consultation. She’s available 10 AM to 2 PM and can answer questions about insurance coverage, scheduling options, and what to expect in your first session.
