Therapy for depression in NYC

Our team of therapists with doctoral-level training bring knowledge and expertise about depression and can help you feel like yourself again with hope, purpose, and connection. Struggling with depression is dark, overwhelming, and lonely. It can be easy to judge yourself for not being able to “get over” how you’re feeling, or want to give up on the idea that you could feel better.

Whether this is the first time you’re feeling depressed, you’re completely stuck, or you struggle with low mood before every period or every winter - therapy for depression means you don’t have to just endure it alone and put on a happy face. Figuring out what’s at the root of your depression, learning coping skills, and reconnecting with yourself and what you care about is possible. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule an introductory call. We’d love to connect.

 

Signs and symptoms of depression

  • Feeling sad or pessimistic more days than not

  • Not looking forward to anything, lost sense of pleasure

  • Feeling hopeless

  • Trouble getting out of bed or taking basic care of yourself

  • Difficulty getting or staying motivated

  • Withdrawing from people who care about you

  • Feeling tired all the time or a sense of moving slowly in your body

  • Appetite changes

  • Feeling numb or detached from your body

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Sleeping more or less than usual

  • Irritability or anger

  • Feeling guilty, worthless, self-critical

  • Escaping through food, alcohol, sex, tv, social media

  • Thoughts or urges to hurt yourself, want to sleep and not wake up, death*

 

What causes depression?

There is no single cause of depression, but factors such as difficult life events, losses, genetics, social isolation, relationship conflict, loneliness, burnout, seasonal changes in light, hormone fluctuations, and even medical conditions like chronic pain can increase one’s likelihood of experiencing depression. Sometimes what starts as a stressful life event may later shift into depression without enough social support or self care, or sometimes when hard things go on long enough and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes an unexpected moment can kick off hopeless thoughts and feelings. Other times, we can experience depression even when life is arguably “fine”.

Am I sad or depressed? What’s the difference?

While sadness is often a response to a specific situation that eventually passes - depression is like a blanket that affects you most of the day, for more days of the week than not.

It’s also important to remember that even if we’re feeling sad, that doesn’t necessarily affect your self-esteem or ability to enjoy things. People often still want to see friends, make fun plans, and expect that eventually, things will get better. People struggling with depression often feel an enduring sense of hopelessness - and sometimes even when they’re doing things they used to enjoy, it’s hard to feel much. With depression, getting through the day can feel impossible, and the way you feel starts affecting your ability to keep up with daily responsibilities, work, relationships. and other things you care about.

Less common symptoms of depression

Most people associate depression with strong feelings of sadness and despair - but depression can look like increased irritability or social withdrawal too. Getting frustrated with yourself or others more easily or cancelling on friends because it feels too tiring to show up can be symptoms of depression.

Is there such a thing as “high functioning” depression?

In short, yes. Sometimes people can function at a very high level while depressed, often because they simply had to. This makes depression harder to recognize, because on the outside someone could still be going to work and acting responsibly.

However, being depressed may mean that they do nothing more than the bare minimum and struggle to truly flourish or feel hopeful. Sometimes those who can function with depression go many years without help or treatment.

You may not have all the symptoms of depression or the most obvious ones, but that doesn’t mean that you aren’t struggling or that you’re not deserving of compassion and support. If you’re wondering if you’d benefit from therapy for depression, please reach out and ask.

 

Types of depression

It’s expected that we will feel sad and discouraged in response to unexpected life events, losses, and disappointments. However, if you’re struggling with depressed mood and it becomes long-standing or begins to affect your work, relationships, and personal life, you may have a depressive disorder. The good news is that you don’t have to continue to feel this way - research shows that depression be treated through therapy and professional support.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

One of the most common depressive disorders is Major Depressive Disorder. Around 8% of adults in the US experience MDD every year, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. MDD characterized by sad, empty, or hopeless mood more days than not in a week for over two weeks. There may be a loss of pleasure in activities you generally like, fatigue, guilt, poor concentration, changes in sleep and appetite, feeling slowed down, and sometimes thoughts of suicide.

Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression is a type of depression that occurs during pregnancy or within 4 weeks of childbirth. While it often goes untreated, estimates suggest that 10-20% of women experience depression while pregnant or postpartum.

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder is a time-specific experience of depressive symptoms right before the start of a menstrual cycle. If you’re unsure whether or not your symptoms may be coinciding with specific hormone changes in your body, we recommend tracking your symptoms over the course of two months with a mood log.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (also known as major depressive disorder with seasonal onset) is characterized by changes in mood with a specific relationship to changing seasons, often the fall or winter, for two years. Depressive symptoms are completely alleviated when the seasons change again.

Persistent Depressive Disorder

Persistent depressive disorder is characterized by symptoms seen in MDD, but lasting for over 2 years

 

Depression looks different across culture

In actuality, depressive symptoms may be experienced and described differently across place and culture. Depending on your identities, upbringing, and how mental health has viewed - what depression looks like can vary significantly from person to person. For example, it’s more common for men struggling with depression to appear angry and irritable rather than sad because they’re socialized differently than women.

Physical symptoms of depression

In cultures that emphasize a mind-body connection over emotions, depression may be described as a number of symptoms in the body, such as headaches, body heaviness, heartache, stomach concerns, or pain.

If you’ve been experiencing such physiological symptoms for a period of time without clear medical reason (as determined by a physician), you should consider whether or not your symptoms may be a sign of depression.

 

How can therapy for depression help?

Pursuing therapy for depression is a tremendously positive step that deserves recognition, because it defies the hallmark feelings of hopelessness that characterizes depression in the first place. Taking the first step to enter therapy can make all the difference.

Examples of goals in depression therapy

  • Decrease sense of isolation and hopelessness

  • Understand how depression works on a neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral level

  • Take steps towards activities that bring a sense of enjoyment or purpose

  • Reexamine and strengthen social connections

  • Process unresolved losses or life transitions

  • Clarify values, priorities, or purpose

  • Practice healthier responses to a “depression spiral” or negative rumination

  • Connect with new resources (medication, support groups, hobbies)

  • Incorporate movement or physical activity

  • Problem solve and take actionable steps

  • Practice self-compassion and identify what prevents you from receiving care or support

 

Types of therapy for depression

There are many types of therapy that effectively address depression. Here are some of the many approaches that our therapists are well-versed in and use in treating depressive disorders.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT focuses on identifying the connections between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Pessimistic thoughts can derail how you feel and whether you make any effort to feel better. By changing unhelpful thoughts or behaviors you can start to feel better and more in control of your life.

Rumination Focused CBT (RF-CBT)

RF-CBT is similar to CBT in its focus on cognitions, however instead of getting curious about each separate automatic thought you have, RF-CBT looks at the larger tendency to ruminate in an abstract and negative way common in persistent depression. RF-CBT unpacks how and why you ruminate and helps you develop a concrete, action-oriented approach to thinking.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT looks at the connection between the quality of your relationships and depressed mood. IPT strives to improve interpersonal relationships to positively impact mood. It focuses on the presence of either interpersonal disputes, life transitions, unresolved grief, or social isolation as a key factor leading to dysregulated mood or the maintenance of depression.

Multicultural Therapy

Multicultural therapy acknowledges the importance of celebrating individual differences and all identities as equal and valuable. When we’re depressed, we tend to withdraw from others. If you’re already struggling with feeling othered or isolated because of some aspect of who you are, it’s important to validate and talk about safe ways for you to experience affirming support.

 

Depression therapists in Manhattan NYC

Our team of psychologists at Manhattan Therapy Collective are trained in a range of relational, multicultural, and evidence-based therapy approaches for depression, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Interpersonal Therapy. We encourage you to reach out for support - we would love to connect with you and answer your questions.

Depression often means feeling hopeless, alone, and in the dark. It can also mean feeling stuck, unfulfilled, and disconnected from life - or simply getting by instead of flourishing. With therapy, you do not need to struggle alone - you can receive support to take steps forward, regain hope, and reconnect with others and a sense of purpose for your life. To learn more about therapy for depression, book a free 15-minute consultation today.

 
 

FAQs about therapy for depression

 

  • In short, yes! Even short-term therapy for a few months can make a world of difference.

    What is commonly known as seasonal affective disorder is the onset of depression symptoms with a seasonal pattern (often the fall or winter) and which consistently dissipates in the other seasons (often spring or summer). There are evidence-based treatment approaches, such as medication, light therapy, and CBT that are all effective ways to feel better through the darker months of the year.

  • If you are interested in medication for depression, we will discuss your options and work collaboratively with you and your prescriber to determine the best next steps. Medication for depression can be tremendously helpful in providing stability and an increased sense of energy to engage in therapy or daily life.

  • At times, feeling depressed can lead to extreme hopelessness where hurting yourself or suicide seem like better options than continuing to feel how you do. We understand why it seems this way, but these thoughts are the symptoms of severe depression. If you start to feel this way in therapy, we encourage you to share this with your therapist immediately so they can provide the support you need. While it may be scary to, sharing is the first step to taking care of yourself and feeling better.

    If you are feeling this way and by yourself, please dial 988 (in 2022, this number has replaced the prior 800 number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline) or visit the Lifeline Chat for emotional support. Both resources are free, operate 24/7 and confidential.

    If you are in immediate crisis, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for help.