Depression

Depression is one of the most common experiences people face, and you may not even realize that’s what you’re feeling. You might just notice that something feels off, like you’re more tired, more distant, or sad for no reason or not feeling like yourself. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep carrying it on your own. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and I provide depression therapy in person in Brookhaven and through secure online sessions across Georgia. Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy offers a powerful approach to addressing depression by helping individuals connect with and process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. EFIT, combined with some Cognitive Behavioral techniques, enables individuals to build emotional security, heal past wounds, stop negative thoughts, and develop the tools they need to manage their mental health.

Is it depression or is it normal sadness

Everyone feels sad sometimes. Grief, stress, illness, a breakup, a job loss, or a big life change can leave you feeling low. For many people, those feelings gradually ease with time and support.

Depression is different. It tends to linger, and it starts to affect how you function. You might feel heavy, numb, irritable, exhausted, or disconnected from yourself and others. You may notice that your motivation is gone, and even simple things feel harder than they used to.

If your mood has been low for two weeks or longer, or daily life feels harder to manage than it should, it is worth reaching out for professional support.

Symptoms of depression

Depression can look different from person to person. You might notice: Depression doesn’t always look the way people expect. It’s not always obvious sadness. More often, it shows up as a quiet shift—something feeling off, heavier, or harder than it used to be, such as:

• Ongoing sadness, emptiness, or numbness
• Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
• Feeling tired much of the time
• Feeling hopeless, stuck, or overwhelmed
• getting stuck in overthinking or negative thought
• More irritability, anger, or frustration than usual
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• Feeling guilty, worthless, or like you are a burden
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If you are having thoughts of harming yourself, please reach out for immediate support. In the US you can call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. If you feel in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Why depression happens

Depression can develop for many reasons, including genetics, brain and body chemistry, chronic stress, trauma, painful relationship experiences, and medical concerns. At its core, it is often connected to emotional pain that has felt too overwhelming or too alone to process. Over time, this can lead to a sense of disconnection, from yourself, from others, or from parts of your life that once felt meaningful. From this perspective, depression is understood as a meaningful response to what you’ve experienced. Sometimes there is a clear reason you can point to, and other times it’s harder to name exactly when or why it developed.

Either way, you deserve support that takes your experience seriously and helps you move toward relief.

Is Depression treatable with therapy?

Yes. Depression is highly treatable. Therapy can help you feel more like yourself again, steadier, more connected, and more able to handle daily life. It can also help lower the chances of getting pulled back under when stress hits again.

My approach to depression therapy

Research has shown depression often stems from unresolved emotional experiences, unmet attachment needs, or past trauma. Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy offers a powerful approach to addressing depression by helping individuals identify, connect with and then process their emotions in an emotionally safe and supportive environment. Based in attachment theory, EFIT helps individuals feel more emotionally secure, heal wounds from past experiences, and develop the skills needed to care for their mental and emotional well-being.

In therapy, begin by helping you understand what is beneath the thoughts and feelings you are experiencing. We walk through this process together and we:

• Explore the deeper emotions that may be driving your depression
• Help you feel more steady and less overwhelmed by your emotions
• Gently process past experiences that may still be impacting you
• Build a more compassionate, supportive relationship with yourself
• Strengthen your ability to connect with others in meaningful ways
• Begin to shift patterns of overthinking and negative self-talk

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the negative, automatic thoughts that fuel depression while we’re also doing deeper work in EFIT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can offer that support. It focuses on identifying those thoughts, gently challenging them, and shifting them toward more balanced and realistic perspectives.

As this work unfolds, individuals not only reduce their symptoms depression but also develop the tools they need for long-term emotional health and well-being.

Ready to talk

If depression has been lingering and you are tired of carrying it alone, I invite you to reach out. You can schedule an appointment or request a free 15 minute phone consultation so we can talk briefly and see if working together feels like a fit.