Depression Therapy | Deep Centered Counseling

You might feel sad when you are depressed, but depression is not the same thing as sadness. Depression is the loss of joy, motivation, and meaning in life. It can happen slowly over time through unhealthy lifestyles and unsupportive environments. It can emerge suddenly after a painful life event such as loss of a loved one or livelihood.

Depression is a health issue that can consume you and your life if left unaddressed. Depression is a common but serious mental health issue that impacts every aspect of life – relationships, physical health, work success, and more. It may be hard to go to work. You may not be sleeping well, and it can take a lot of energy just to complete a relatively simple task, like making breakfast in the microwave.

You may look like you are functioning well with depression. However, it often brings a heaviness that others don’t see. You manage to get through your. But, inside, you feel completely drained.

If this sounds familiar, we want you to know: help is available. Things can – and do – get better with the right help. If you or a loved one are struggling with depression, don’t wait to get help. The best time to plant a tree is ten years ago, but the second best is today.

What Depression Can Feel Like

While the grid shows common symptoms of depression, it’s important to know that depression doesn’t follow the same script for everyone. Some days may feel very manageable, while others can feel like an uphill climb from the moment you wake up.

You may wake up feeling sad or empty almost every day. It might feel like things are hopeless or won’t get better. You may have lost interest in hobbies, sports, and the little things that used to bring you joy. You might pull away from family and friends.

Some people with depression spend hours in bed every day. Others have trouble sleeping (insomnia). When you are depressed, your focus and concentration slip away. You might feel worthless or guilty when you don’t have a reason to feel this way.

If you have had thoughts of harming yourself, you are not alone in that either. And, you don’t have to carry all of this alone. We are here to help.

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Waking up feeling sad or empty almost every day.
Feeling as though things are hopeless or won’t get better.
Losing interest in hobbies, sports, and the little things that used to bring you joy.
Sleeping too much (or lying in bed for hours on end) or conversely, not being able to sleep well.
Having trouble focusing or concentrating on tasks.
Feeling worthless or guilty when there is no reason to feel this way.
Pulling away from family and friends.
Eating far less or more than normal.
Moving or talking much slower than normal.
Thoughts of harming yourself.

Why It’s Hard to Reach Out

Depression thoughts are cognitive distortions, and they are common in depression. They make you doubt even getting help.

One of the hardest things about depression is how your thoughts convince you not to get help.
Depression makes you believe that “Nothing will help,” “You should be able to handle this on your own,” or “Things are hopeless.”

The good news is that there is effective treatment for depression. Things can get better with the right help.

I believe that counseling should be client-focused, collaborative, and intentional. Each individual has a unique and culturally diverse situation that is best understood through empathetic and non-judgmental listening. I do not pretend to be an expert in your life and do not offer a magic bullet. What I do offer is a safe and supportive space to join you as you take on life’s challenges.

I work from the point of view that we benefit greatly from more fully understanding our problems. It is important to raise awareness around the emotions and thoughts we have, so that we are able to be intentional with our behavioral responses, instead of allowing our automatic reactions to take over. If we are able to take time to recognize how our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions are interrelated, we can begin to implement strategies.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy is about having someone walk alongside you when you need it most. During sessions, your therapist will listen to your story without judgment. Your struggles will be met with caring and compassion. Therapy helps you build hope and resilience piece by piece with someone supporting you along the way.

Depression fills your head with thoughts like “I’ll never get better.” In therapy, you’ll learn to recognize and fight these untrue thoughts. You’ll come to understand why certain thoughts and situations trigger symptoms or why your motivation disappears so quickly.

Depression often isolates you. It tells you that you are better off alone. In therapy, you can learn how to connect again with others and build trust in relationships. You’ll be reminded that you don’t have to face this alone.

Many people experience depression in their bodies. It can show up as fatigue, headaches, and even unexplained physical pain. Therapy can help you notice these signs and learn how to relieve tension in your body through interventions like breathwork.

The process of healing is gradual. You may start by learning a simple coping skill that brings relief and, over time, builds hope and resilience. Eventually, you’ll find yourself returning to the things that you used to love.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This is an evidence-based therapy for depression. It can help you learn to identify and shift negative thinking patterns that affect your daily life.

Trauma-informed therapy: Helps address past traumas that may be triggering depressive episodes.

Mindfulness practices: Learning these can help you manage stress, quiet self-criticism, and build resilience against emotional overwhelm.

Behavioral activation: Depression may cause you to withdraw from life. Behavioral activation helps you gradually re-engage with activities and people that bring meaning or joy to your life

Attachment-based therapy: Helps reduce symptoms of depression by enhancing emotional regulation and improving relationships.

Why Choose Deep Centered Mental Health

What makes us different isn’t just our credentials; it’s the way we show up for you when you need it the most. Our therapists and psychiatrists are widely regarded as some of the best in Texas. We’ve even been featured in Forbes, The New York Times, and CNN. Recognition is important. But what matters the most is how we are there for you when you need it most.

Our clinicians have decades of experience helping people who struggle with depression. That kind of clinical experience brings a deeper understanding of what depression is really like. We will be listening to your story and working with you to develop a treatment plan that feels right for you.

Depression often responds best to a combination of medication, therapy and lifestyle changes. Sometimes therapy is enough. But other times, medication can be helpful too. Here, you can get complete care in one place.

We understand that it can feel overwhelming to reach out for help with depression. But if you have been carrying these feelings for a long time, you don’t have to do it alone. Support is available, and you deserve to feel like yourself again.

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As a 1st time therapy patient, I cannot recommend them enough. I've been given insight, book recommendations, and challenging questions to examine what I hope to work on in therapy.

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I absolutely love my therapist and the feedback she gives me via Deep Centered. The front desk staff are all top notch professionals as well. Highly recommended.

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I've done individual, group and couples therapy through Deep Centered and have had a great experience with all of it. I highly recommend Stuart Irvin and Emily Matis.

If you’ve been feeling down, empty, or without motivation for more than two weeks — and it’s impacting your work, relationships, or daily activities — it may be depression. Only a mental health professional can make a diagnosis.

Depression can be linked to a mix of factors, including stress, life events, brain chemistry, family history, or chronic illness. Sometimes it appears without a clear cause.

Therapy provides a safe space to explore thoughts and feelings, identify negative patterns, and learn coping strategies. It helps you rebuild motivation, manage stress, and restore hope.

Everyone’s journey is different. Some people notice improvements within a few weeks of therapy, while for others it may take longer. Consistency and support make a big difference.

Yes — depression is one of the most common reasons people seek therapy. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

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Hope and Recovery from Depression

Depression is the most common reason why people decide to start therapy.

What Depression Can Feel Like

Why It’s Hard to Reach Out

A Professional Approach to Depression Care

Matt Halvorson, LPC-S, CGP

How Therapy Can Help

Therapeutic Approaches

Why Choose Deep Centered Mental Health

We are ready when you are

Convenient locations + telehealth

Journeys to Healing

Understanding the Process

How do I know if I might be depressed?

What causes depression?

How does therapy help with depression?

How long does it take to feel better?

Is it normal to need help for depression?

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