What is Depression? A Guide to Understanding and Treating it

What Is Depression?

Depression is often more complex than the common belief that it simply means feeling sad. While sadness is one aspect, depression can also feel like a heavy mental fog. It can make everyday tasks seem overwhelming, dull your ability to enjoy life, and interfere with your concentration and energy levels. Depression may be triggered by life stress, trauma, or loss, but it can also appear without a clear cause, often rooted in biological or genetic factors.

Common Symptoms of Depression:

• Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness

• Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable

• Changes in sleep, appetite, or energy levels

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or hopelessness

How Can Therapy Help?

One of the most effective treatments for depression is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This evidence-based approach focuses on the powerful connection between our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. CBT provides a practical framework to help individuals recognize and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to their depression.

We’re often unaware of how our internal dialogue—how we speak to ourselves—impacts our mood and actions. A CBT-trained therapist can help you become more aware of these patterns and guide you in making meaningful changes.

What Therapy Might Look Like:

• A structured conversation that helps break negative thought cycles

• An emotionally safe space to explore vulnerable or self-critical thoughts

• A compassionate process to rebuild confidence and self-worth

• A collaborative experience to set goals at a pace that feels right for you

When working with a therapist who is not only trained in CBT but also empathetic, understanding, and trustworthy, clients often start noticing real shifts in their daily lives. This structure can help improve mood, reduce anxiety, and decrease behaviors that reinforce depressive feelings.

There Is Always Hope

Depression can feel heavy and unmanageable, but healing is possible. A client once asked me how I could be a counselor when everyone who comes to me is at a low point. I told them that although I see the struggle, I also see hope—because I know it won’t always be like this.

I’ve witnessed many clients move through depression and come out stronger on the other side. I fully expect that day to come for each client I see. No matter how dark things feel right now, there is always a path forward—and you don’t have to walk it alone.