Open Circle Counseling

When Depression Won't Let Go

The alarm goes off, and the heaviness is already there. The day stretches out like something to survive. You move through it — but part of you is just waiting for the moment you can go back to bed.

Or maybe you function fine on the outside. You get things done. But underneath, there's a flatness. A fog. A voice that says, if they only knew.

Or perhaps it shows up as irritability — a short fuse that ignites over something small, followed quickly by shame and guilt. Thoughts that won’t stop coming. Trouble with relationships. A nervous system that feels permanently braced for something, even when you can't name what.

There are moments when you wonder how much longer you can keep feeling this way. When the idea of things ever being different feels unattainable.

In whatever way the maze of depression shows up for you — whether it pulls you under, quietly hollows you out, or keeps you locked in cycles of anxiety, anger, and remorse — one thing is usually true: you've been living with this for a long time, and you're exhausted.

It doesn't have to stay this way.

There are ways to manage this illness, to not have it take over your life. To have more good days than awful days. To live, rather than just survive.

You Are Not Broken. You Are Not Alone.

Depression is one of the most common — and paralyzing — mental health conditions there is. People tell themselves they should just get over it. And because depression drains energy and breeds hopelessness, seeking help can feel impossible before you even start.

But you deserve specialized support. Because oftentimes this is a brain illness, and it's a hard one to manage alone.

Types of Depression I Treat

Depression doesn't look the same for everyone, and the type you're experiencing shapes what treatment will actually help.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) Periods of severe depressive symptoms — persistent sadness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal from others — lasting two weeks or more, often recurring throughout a person's life.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia) A longer-lasting, lower-grade depression that can feel like "just the way I am." It lasts two years or more and often goes unrecognized precisely because it's never dramatic enough to name.

High-Functioning ("Masked") Depression You appear fine — even successful — on the outside. But privately, you feel empty, numb, or like you're going through the motions. The flatness is real, even when nothing looks wrong.

Depression with Anxiety Depression flattens motivation while anxiety keeps the mind racing — a relentless cycle. Many people experience both, and effective treatment needs to address both.

Postpartum Depression Far beyond the "baby blues," postpartum depression can involve profound sadness, detachment, guilt, and anxiety. It's more common than people realize, it's not your fault, and it's treatable.

Situational Depression (Adjustment Disorder) Depression triggered by a specific life event — grief, job loss, divorce, or a major health challenge. Real and sometimes just as debilitating as other forms, and often very responsive to targeted therapy.

Who I Work With

I work with adults experiencing:

• Major depression and persistent low-grade depression

• High-functioning or "masked" depression

• Depression alongside anxiety

• Postpartum depression

• Depression as a parent or caregiver

How I Work

My approach is individualized — I don't apply a one-size-fits-all model. Depending on what you need, I draw on:

• DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) — practical skills for managing painful emotions and building a life that feels more worth living

• Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) — stabilizing the sleep and daily rhythms that have an outsized effect on mood

• Mindfulness-based approaches — learning to observe your thoughts without being consumed by them

• Somatic and body-based work — breathwork and grounding techniques that help shift your nervous system out of shutdown

• Expressive arts therapy — for when words aren't enough or aren't available

• Ketamine-assisted therapy — for those who haven't found adequate relief through therapy or medication alone, I offer full-service KAP with preparation and integration built in.

What to Expect

We'll start by creating a space that feels genuinely supportive. You don't need to arrive with the right words or polished insights. You just need to show up.

Together we'll explore the roots of your depression, map your patterns, identify your triggers, and build real tools — for both the immediate (what do I do when the wave hits?) and the deeper (why does this keep happening?). We’ll ride the waves together that depression brings.

Progress isn't always linear. There will be harder weeks. But over time, most people find that episodes become less frequent, less severe, and shorter. The fog begins to lift — not all at once, but gradually, step by step.

Still Wondering if Therapy is Right for You?

I've tried therapy before, and it didn't help. Why would this be different? Not every therapist and approach is the right fit — and depression is cyclical, so what worked before may no longer. My approach is eclectic and deeply individualized, integrating body-based, creative, and skills-focused methods that go beyond traditional talk therapy. I also bring lived experience to this work. I'd encourage you to schedule a free consultation and see how it feels.

I function okay most of the time. Do I really need therapy? You function okay — but do you feel okay? High-functioning depression is still depression. If you're moving through days on autopilot, feeling exhausted, or wondering if this is just as good as it gets, you deserve support.

I'm a parent. The guilt about how this affects my kids is overwhelming. That guilt is evidence that you care deeply — not that you're a bad parent. Depression distorts our self-perception. In therapy, we make space for those feelings and develop practical strategies to show up for your kids, even on hard days. The most important thing you can do for them is take care of yourself.

I barely have energy to get through the day. How am I supposed to do therapy? This is the cruelest part of depression — the very thing that needs treatment makes it hardest to seek. All I ask is one small step: reach out for a consultation call. We'll take it from there.

You Don't Have to Keep Feeling This Way

Depression is not a character flaw. It is not who you are. It is a brain illness that can be managed.

 Therapy can give you back access to yourself—to your energy, your capacity for joy, your ability to be present with the people you love. To know what to do when you feel a depression cycle starting. To have a life that feels like yours again.

 I work with adults in Colorado both in person and online, and with residents of California online. My office is physically located in Wheat Ridge, CO. If you're ready to take a first step—or even just curious whether this might be right for you—I invite you to reach out for a free consultation

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