Depression

Daniel* felt empty.

It started so quietly that he thought, “I don’t feel like myself anymore. Why can’t I get out of this funk?” Some days, the fog in his brain was overwhelming, and he doubted he could do anything right – “Why bother?” He felt it as soon as he woke up in the morning. That heavy, dark blanket of despair tried to convince him to stay in bed so the day wouldn’t get any better.

Daniel thought he could hide behind a fake smile or avoid talking to friends so they wouldn’t see how bad he felt, but people could sense that he was dragging around that heavy, dark blanket, and eventually, he just stopped trying.

His self-esteem hit an all-time low, and he started believing he wasn’t good enough, couldn’t do anything right, and maybe he deserved to be alone.

Daniel knew things were worsening when he stopped caring for himself. Showering was a chore, so he put it off. He no longer had the energy or motivation to exercise, and hobbies that were once important to him no longer brought joy.

Being depressed is more than feeling sad or down.

Depression can feel like being on a long, unexpected road trip, except you’re stuck in neutral with no map, and the radio only plays sad, slow songs.

Imagine a fog settling in that makes everything a bit more muted as if someone’s turned down the brightness of the whole world. Even things you used to love can feel like they’ve lost their color, and the energy to enjoy them is not there.

Sometimes, depression is like dragging around a gigantic, invisible backpack filled with rocks. Every step feels heavier, and getting up to do even the most minor things – like washing a dish or texting a friend back – can seem like climbing a mountain.

And your mind? It can be like a slow-motion replay of past mistakes, missed opportunities, or “what-ifs,” playing on a loop you didn’t ask for.

Friends and family don’t always understand how you feel.

Therapy for depression can feel a bit like going to the gym for your brain, but instead of weights, you’re lifting all those heavy thoughts and emotions – and yes, it can be challenging, but you’ve got someone right there cheering you on.

Picture this: therapy is like getting your mental detective, someone who helps you find clues about why you feel the way you do, shows you hidden paths out of the fog, and gives you some handy tools for when things get tough.

Sometimes, therapy is about talking through things you’ve been bottling up, and it can be a huge relief, like opening a window in a stuffy room. Other times, it’s learning strategies, little mind tricks to get through the low points – think of them like cheat codes for your mental health.

Your therapist is there with you on the journey, providing guidance, support, and sometimes even a bit of humor to lighten things up.

Talking to a therapist can help.

For starters, therapy gives you a safe place to unload – like finally being able to put down that heavy emotional backpack you’ve been carrying. There’s something oddly comforting about having someone listen and respond with, “That makes sense!” or “Let’s figure that out together.” A therapist can help you sort through the thoughts that keep swirling in your head, gently nudging you to see things from a new angle or giving you practical tips for managing the tough stuff.

A therapist may also hand out “mind tools” – little techniques to help make each day feel lighter. You might learn to challenge those pesky negative thoughts that sneak up on you or develop routines to help you feel good, not pretend you do. And over time, you might notice more bright spots breaking through the clouds with each session. Therapy won’t erase life’s ups and downs. Nevertheless, it can make you feel stronger, more in control, and less alone on the journey.

And here’s the best part: there’s no judgment. You can show up exactly as you are, whether in pajamas, in a bad mood, or find yourself laughing at your jokes about how hard it is to get out of bed.

Therapy isn’t about fixing you – it’s about helping you feel lighter, building resilience, and finding your way to more hopeful, brighter days.

Remember Daniel?

He tried to get through it without help but eventually tried to get better through telehealth. At first, he felt a little strange talking about his problems, especially his feelings, with someone he had never met.

Then, he realized how freeing that felt! Unlike his ex-wife, his therapist didn’t agree that he was a loser for acting that way, and unlike his friends, he didn’t feel like he had to smile through his pain. He learned that a lot of people get depressed but also recover.

We used Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy techniques to help Daniel manage his negative thoughts and challenge the irrational ones. After a few sessions, he started noticing that he had more energy and motivation for the little things, like making breakfast, exercising, and joining his friends for music bingo.

Ready to conquer that mountain called depression?

Therapy won’t magically solve all your problems, but it will give you a top-notch guide to help you climb to the top of those feelings.

You bring the snacks, and I will bring the tools – and together, you’ll return to brighter days. Let’s chat, laugh, vent, and get through this!

*Name and story are composite narratives and do not reflect an actual client.