Depression does not always look the way people expect it to. For many high-functioning people, depression can look like continuing to meet responsibilities and keep up appearances while privately feeling empty, emotionally disconnected, exhausted, hopeless, or unlike yourself. You may find yourself going through the motions, losing interest in things that used to matter, withdrawing from other people, struggling to feel present, or wondering why everything feels so much harder than it used to.

Sometimes depression develops gradually and can be difficult to recognize, especially for people who are used to pushing through distress or minimizing their own needs. It may show up as numbness, irritability, self-criticism, perfectionism, burnout, loneliness, or a persistent feeling that something is missing even when life looks “fine” from the outside.

In therapy, we work to better understand both the underlying causes of depression and the patterns that may be keeping it going. I integrate approaches including CBT and DBT to help clients build practical tools while also creating space for deeper reflection and emotional understanding. This may include identifying negative thought patterns, working through harsh self-criticism, increasing engagement in meaningful activities, strengthening emotional regulation skills, improving distress tolerance, practicing mindfulness, and learning healthier ways to respond to overwhelming emotions rather than shutting down or avoiding them.

The goal of therapy is not simply to help you “function better,” but to help you feel more connected to yourself, your emotions, your relationships, and the parts of life that bring meaning and fulfillment.