According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in 2015, approximately 16.1 million adults 18 years or older in the United States have struggled from at least one major depressive episode.

Many individuals believe depression to be mainly characterized by sadness; however, persistent emptiness, helplessness, anxiety, hopelessness, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, anger, and irritability can also be present. Depression can impact memory, disrupt focus and concentration, cause an increase or decrease in appetite or sleep, and diminish interest in activities that were once pleasurable. For some individuals depression can be so painful that it leads to suicidal ideation or attempts. Depression can be caused by environmental, psychological and biological (i.e., genetic predisposition) factors and can vary in intensity and duration. For a depressive episode to be diagnosed, an individual must present with depression symptoms that are prevalent most of the day for at least two weeks and impact family, social, and/or professional life. There are other types of depression that can affect individuals as well including seasonal affective disorder, postpartum depression, and persistent depressive disorder (i.e., a form of depression that is less severe, but lasts for longer periods of time).

 Coping with depression can feel like an uphill battle.

Some days, and they can seem few and far between, you have it in you to fight by exercising, keeping yourself distracted and being mindful of your needs. However, most days, struggling with depression feels like you cannot escape the black cloud hanging over you, constantly skewing your thoughts and making you feel as though there is no end in sight to this misery. Fortunately, there are effective therapeutic approaches for treating the depths of depression. When the timing is right, our therapists can help you begin to better understand the underlying causes to your depression and to identify new perspectives and ways of coping so that you can live a more fulfilling life.

There are several evidence-based treatments available for individuals coping with depression, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Our psychologists have expertise in helping individuals implement these effective coping strategies to combat the debilitating effects of depression.