Depression therapy
You're still in there. Let's bring you back.
Depression therapy can help you find your way back when life feels heavy, colorless, and disconnected from meaning. If you have been experiencing persistent sadness, low energy, or a sense that joy has quietly slipped out of reach, I want you to know that what you are feeling is real and that genuine relief is possible. I am the therapist behind Clarity EMDR Therapy, and I provide specialized depression therapy for individuals ages 10 and up throughout Ottawa, ON. I offer both in-person and online sessions designed to meet you exactly where you are.
Depression therapy at my practice starts with one core belief: your experience is uniquely yours. The way depression shows up in your life, the circumstances that shaped it, and the specific ways it touches your relationships, work, and sense of self are all deeply personal. I never approach treatment with a generic playbook. Instead, I work alongside you to understand your individual story, identify the roots of your depression, and build a therapeutic approach that fits you specifically.
That emptiness isn't permanent. Even if it feels that way.
Understanding Depression
Depression is far more than feeling sad. It is a complex condition that affects your thoughts, emotions, body, and behavior. You might feel persistent emptiness, hopelessness, or numbness. Some people experience intense irritability rather than sadness. Others struggle with physical symptoms like chronic fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, unexplained aches, or difficulty concentrating.
What makes depression particularly challenging is how it distorts your perception. When you are in its grip, it can feel impossible to remember what hope or genuine happiness even felt like. Depression often convinces you that things have always been this way and always will be. That is one of its most deceptive qualities, and it is not the truth.
Depression often has roots in past experiences. Trauma, difficult relationships, childhood adversity, and significant losses can leave lasting imprints on your nervous system and your beliefs about yourself. Life transitions and ongoing stress can also trigger or intensify depressive episodes. Understanding your unique contributing factors is essential for effective treatment, which is why I take time to explore your complete picture rather than focusing only on symptoms.
My Approach
I draw on several evidence-based modalities to create a personalized treatment plan: EMDR, CBT, Somatic Therapies, and IFS. This allows me to tailor our work to what you actually need.
EMDR helps your brain reprocess stuck experiences and the negative beliefs attached to them. Many people do not realize that depression often connects to unprocessed memories that fuel feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness. As we work through these root experiences, depressive symptoms often begin to lift naturally.
CBT addresses the thinking patterns and behaviors that maintain depression. We identify overly negative interpretations, excessive self-criticism, and withdrawal patterns, then develop more balanced ways of thinking and re-engage with activities that bring meaning to your life.
Somatic Therapies work with the body, where depression physically lives. Many people report heaviness, fatigue, or a sense of being weighed down. By developing awareness of bodily sensations and learning to work with them, you can access pathways to healing that talk alone may not reach.
IFS understands the mind as consisting of different parts, each with its own feelings and protective roles. Depression often involves parts carrying heavy burdens from the past. By approaching these parts with curiosity and compassion, we help them release what they have been holding so you can experience lasting change.
What to Expect
I bring warmth, groundedness, and genuine confidence to our work together. My style is professional yet relaxed, and I am comfortable sitting with challenging material without becoming anxious or overwhelmed. You can expect a therapist who is fully present and optimistic about your capacity to heal.
In our initial sessions, I focus on understanding you as a whole person. I want to learn about your history, current circumstances, relationships, and what you hope to achieve. Together, we identify specific targets for our work, whether those are particular memories, relationships, beliefs, or current triggers.
The therapeutic process is not linear. Some sessions feel like breakthroughs; others involve moving through difficult terrain. Both are part of genuine healing. I adjust my approach based on what emerges and what you need, and we regularly check in about how the process feels for you.
Joy shouldn't feel like a stranger.
Is Depression Therapy Right for You?
Consider reaching out if you are experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness that do not lift, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue that makes simple tasks feel overwhelming, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, withdrawal from relationships, or a sense that the future holds nothing for you.
You do not need to have everything figured out before reaching out. Depression often tells you that nothing will help and that seeking support is pointless. Those are lies that depression tells to keep itself in place. The reality is that depression responds well to treatment, and many people experience significant improvement through therapy.
You remember who you used to be. Let's reconnect you.
Serving Ottawa
I provide depression therapy throughout Ottawa, ON, with both in-person and online session options. Online therapy offers flexibility and allows you to engage from your own space, while in-person sessions provide the dedicated environment of the therapy room. Both formats are effective, and we can discuss which works best for your situation.
For information about scheduling and availability, please reach out through my website. I look forward to supporting you on your path toward reconnecting with the life you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Therapy
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Treatment duration varies based on the severity of your depression, underlying contributing factors, and your individual response. Some clients notice meaningful improvement within weeks, while others benefit from longer-term work. I regularly assess progress and adjust our approach accordingly.
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As a trained therapist, I bring specialized knowledge, evidence-based techniques, and an objective perspective focused entirely on your wellbeing. Therapy provides a confidential space to explore difficult material without worrying about burdening relationships.
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Yes. Long-standing depression often has deep roots requiring thorough exploration, which is exactly what modalities like EMDR and IFS are designed to address. The length of your struggle does not mean you are beyond help.
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EMDR engages your brain's natural processing system through bilateral stimulation, reaching material that talk therapy alone often cannot access. It addresses root causes rather than just managing symptoms.
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Many people cannot point to a clear cause, and that is normal. Part of our work involves gentle exploration to understand contributing factors, though complete insight is not always necessary for healing.
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If low mood persists beyond two weeks, affects most days, and interferes with daily functioning, professional support is worth considering. A consultation can help clarify whether treatment would benefit you.
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Yes. I adapt my approach to be developmentally appropriate for younger clients, and early intervention can prevent depression from becoming entrenched.
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The therapeutic relationship matters significantly. I encourage a consultation so you can sense whether we are a good fit. If not, I can provide referrals to other qualified therapists.
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Absolutely. I believe in collaborative care and am happy to coordinate with other providers involved in your treatment.
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Research shows online therapy is effective for depression, with outcomes comparable to in-person treatment. The techniques I use translate well to online formats.