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Therapy for depression
What depression can feel like
Everyone experiences depression differently, and the signs can show up in emotional, physical, or behavioural ways. What matters most is that your experience is real and it deserves care and understanding.
Therapy can help you make sense of what you're feeling, understand why these patterns may be showing up, and explore what can support you in feeling more steady, grounded, and connected again.
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Pulling away from relationships or support
Avoiding responsibilities or daily routines
Difficulty starting or completing tasks
Feeling unmotivated or less engaged in daily life
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Low mood or sadness that feels persistent
Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or emotionally flat
Irritability or heightened sensitivity
Loss of interest in activities that once felt meaningful
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Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)
Fatigue or noticeably low energy
Shifts in appetite
Physical aches, heaviness, or tension without a clear cause
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Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Critical or discouraging self-talk
Trouble imagining a way forward
Feeling stuck or unable to take in positive experiences
How therapy helps
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Identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns
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Build small, realistic steps that support daily functioning
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Strengthen coping tools for relationships and stress
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Reconnect with a sense of purpose and hope
Therapy for depression in Scarborough
Our Scarborough clinic offers a calm, supportive space for individuals seeking help with depression. Many people appreciate having an environment where they can reflect, process, and learn new strategies with the guidance of a thoughtful and compassionate therapist.
We support children, teens, and adults living with depression, sadness, or emotional overwhelm. Whether symptoms are new or long-standing, therapy can help you feel understood and supported as you work toward meaningful change.
Online therapy for depression across Ontario and Nova Scotia
If attending in person isn’t accessible or comfortable, we also offer secure online therapy for clients across Ontario and Nova Scotia. Online sessions provide the same evidence-based care and can be especially helpful if you prefer meeting from home or have a busy schedule.
If you are seeking an online depression therapist, we are here to support you with flexibility and care.
Understanding depression more deeply
Depression can affect people in many different ways. Some notice a quiet heaviness that makes daily tasks feel harder than they used to. Others feel overwhelmed by sadness, irritability, numbness, or exhaustion. You might find yourself withdrawing, losing interest in things that once felt meaningful, or struggling with motivation. Depression can also show up as difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, or a sense of disconnection from yourself or others.
These experiences aren’t personal failures. Depression is often a response to stress, loss, difficult life transitions, or long-term emotional strain. Therapy can offer a space to understand what is happening beneath the surface and to begin reconnecting with yourself in a way that feels gentle and supportive.
What contributes to depression
Depression can emerge from a combination of emotional, relational, biological, and environmental factors. Some people notice symptoms after a major life event, while for others, depression develops gradually over time.
Contributing factors may include:
Chronic stress or burnout
Grief or loss
Difficult or overwhelming life transitions
Relationship stress
Trauma or past emotional wounds
Perfectionism or high internal expectations
Feeling unsupported or misunderstood
Family history of depression
Long-term anxiety or emotional overload
Understanding these influences in therapy can help you make sense of your experiences and move forward in a way that feels more compassionate and intentional.
Who we support
Depression can affect how you think, feel, and move through daily life. It may show up as low mood, fatigue, irritability, loss of interest, or a sense of disconnection from yourself and others. Whether these experiences are new or have been present for a long time, you don’t have to navigate them alone.
We support children, teens, and adults in understanding their emotions, building practical coping tools, and feeling more steady, supported, and connected.
Children
Children may experience depression through irritability, withdrawal, emotional outbursts, or changes in behaviour. Therapy helps them understand their feelings, feel supported, and build coping strategies that make daily life feel more manageable.
Teens
Teens may feel depression related to school pressure, identity, social stress, or big transitions. Therapy offers a grounded, supportive space to explore what they’re going through and learn skills that help them cope, connect, and feel more steady.
Adults
Adults may experience depression due to long-term stress, life changes, grief, relationship strain, or emotional burnout. Therapy provides space to reflect, process, and reconnect with what matters most, helping you move toward greater clarity and resilien
More about how therapy supports those experiencing depression
Therapy provides a space where you can explore your experiences without pressure or judgment. We use evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, emotion-focused strategies, and trauma-informed care.
Therapy can help you:
Understand the patterns that maintain depression
Develop coping strategies that support daily functioning
Recognize and challenge unhelpful thought patterns
Build emotional awareness and self-compassion
Identify changes that support your wellbeing
Strengthen your connection to values and meaningful activities
Reconnect with parts of yourself that may feel muted or distant
The goal isn’t to rush the process but to offer support that feels steady, grounded, and tailored to your needs.
Fees & insurance
Frequently asked questions
about therapy for depression
What kind of therapist is best for depression?
Many people feel supported by registered therapists who use evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT and emotion-focused therapy. A helpful therapist is someone who takes the time to understand your experiences, works collaboratively and offers strategies that feel meaningful in your day-to-day life.Who can I talk to when I feel depressed?
You don’t have to sit with this alone. Reaching out to a therapist, doctor or trusted person in your life can help you feel more grounded. If things feel heavy, therapy offers a safe, confidential place to talk openly and explore what might help. You can learn more about therapy options here.Is therapy worth it for depression?
Yes. Many people notice clearer thinking, steadier moods and stronger coping skills after beginning therapy. It can help you understand what’s contributing to your depression and build long-term tools for feeling more supported and grounded.What triggers depressive episodes?
Triggers can include stress, conflict, loss, overwhelming responsibilities, seasonal changes or past experiences that still feel unresolved. Therapy can help you identify your unique triggers and respond to them with more clarity and support.How can I lift myself out of depression?
Gentle steps can help, like onnecting with someone supportive, slowing down, spending time outside, resting or doing something that brings a small sense of comfort. And you don’t need to do this on your own. Therapy offers structure, guidance and tools that help things feel more manageable over time. You can explore therapy options or book a consultation here.How long does depression usually last?
It varies for each person. Some people experience brief episodes, while others notice symptoms that linger. Therapy can help reduce the length and intensity of depressive symptoms by addressing what’s contributing to them.What are the warning signs of depression?
Common signs include persistent sadness, loss of interest, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, withdrawal from others and changes in sleep or appetite. If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing “counts,” therapy can help you make sense of it.What happens if depression is left untreated?
Symptoms may stay the same or gradually intensify. Untreated depression can affect energy, motivation, work, school and relationships. Reaching out early often leads to better outcomes and a stronger sense of support.What are the 4 p’s of depression?
Therapists sometimes use the 4 p’s framework to explore what’s contributing to depression:• predisposing factors — genetics, history or background
• precipitating factors — events that triggered symptoms
• perpetuating factors — what keeps symptoms going
• protective factors — strengths and supports that help
This framework helps guide therapy in a way that feels personalized and compassionate.
Is online therapy effective for depression?
Yes. Online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions. It also offers flexibility, comfort and privacy for clients across Ontario and Nova Scotia. You can learn more about online options here.Do I need a diagnosis to start therapy for depression?
No. You can begin therapy with or without a formal diagnosis. You’ll be met exactly where you are, and supported in exploring what you’ve been experiencing at a pace that feels comfortable.Reach out for support with depression whenever you’re ready
If you’re struggling with depression or noticing changes in your mood, we’re here for you. The first step is a 15-minute phone or video consultation. It’s a chance to share what’s been happening and ask any questions you have about getting started.