We believe depression is more than just feeling sad. Depression affects your energy, relationships, and how you see yourself. Our therapists create a safe space that honors where you are and what you’re carrying.
I wake up already exhausted, dreading the day before it even starts. Tasks that used to feel automatic now require monumental effort. Joy feels like something from another lifetime. Even surrounded by people, loneliness sits heavily.
You want to feel present again, to wake up without that crushing weight, to reconnect with the things and people that once mattered. We help you understand what’s been driving the numbness, build skills that create space between feeling and reacting, and develop a relationship with yourself that doesn’t depend on perfection.
People seek depression therapy when pretending everything is fine takes more energy than admitting something needs to change, when the fog of numbness finally feels scarier than asking for help, and when pushing through stops working.
We help you:
Ready to move from numbness and feel present in your life again?
Depression therapy may resonate if you’re experiencing:
Depression affects how energy moves through your body, how thoughts shape your days, and how connection feels possible or impossible. These patterns aren’t character flaws or signs of weakness. They’re responses that once served a purpose and now need updating. Our therapists trained in depression help you understand what’s been keeping you stuck and build pathways toward feeling present again.
Sadness that lingers for weeks or months, refusing to lift, no matter what gets tried. Some days feel slightly better, but the heaviness always returns. This isn’t occasional sadness or grief that comes and goes naturally. It’s a persistent weight that colors everything, making even neutral moments feel heavy.
Feeling nothing at all can be more frightening than feeling sad. Numbness creates distance from joy, connection, and meaning. It’s a protective mechanism that once served a purpose but now keeps life at arm’s length. Therapy helps you slowly reconnect with what’s been pushed away, at a pace that feels manageable.
Exhaustion that rest doesn’t touch, sleep doesn’t fix. Mornings feel impossible. Simple tasks drain whatever energy exists. This isn’t laziness or lack of willpower. It’s your body and mind signaling that something fundamental needs attention, and pushing through only makes it worse.
Activities that once brought joy now feel pointless. Hobbies sit untouched. Social invitations feel like burdens rather than opportunities. This loss of pleasure, called anhedonia, is one of depression’s most isolating symptoms. Recovery involves understanding what’s blocking connection to joy and rebuilding pathways to meaning.
Thoughts move slowly, decisions feel impossible, and focus slips away repeatedly. Depression affects cognitive functioning in real, measurable ways. This isn’t personal failure or declining intelligence. It’s a symptom that responds to treatment as the underlying depression shifts.
Depression often disrupts basic biological rhythms. Some people sleep too much, others can’t sleep at all. Appetite disappears or becomes the only source of comfort. These changes signal that your system is struggling to regulate itself. Treatment addresses root causes while helping you restore basic stability.
Pulling away from relationships even when connection is what’s needed most. Canceling plans, avoiding calls, convincing yourself that others are better off without you. Isolation deepens depression, and depression drives isolation. Breaking this cycle requires understanding what makes connection feel so threatening.
Depression distorts how you see yourself, magnifying failures and dismissing accomplishments. Excessive guilt about things beyond your control, persistent feelings of being a burden, harsh self-criticism that wouldn’t be acceptable if directed at anyone else. Therapy helps you recognize these distortions and build a more balanced self-perception.
Thoughts of death or suicide are serious symptoms requiring immediate attention. These aren’t signs of weakness or attention-seeking. They’re signals that pain has become unbearable. Structured, consistent therapy provides support while building alternative ways to manage emotional pain and creating safety plans for crisis moments.
Depression often appears alongside anxiety, trauma, OCD, substance use, or chronic health conditions. These overlapping issues intensify each other and require comprehensive treatment that addresses the whole picture, not just isolated symptoms.
Stop carrying the weight alone and start building support that actually helps.
Different therapeutic approaches address different aspects of depression recovery. Some focus on changing thought patterns, others on building behavioral activation, still others on understanding root causes. Our therapists integrate multiple research-supported modalities to create treatment that fits your specific experience.
CBT addresses the thought patterns that maintain depression. When depression distorts how you see yourself, your future, and your world, CBT helps identify these distortions and build more balanced perspectives.
Our approach to this:
ACT helps you change your relationship with difficult thoughts and feelings rather than trying to eliminate them. Depression often intensifies when we fight against painful emotions. ACT teaches psychological flexibility and values-aligned action.
Our approach to this:
Psychodynamic approaches explore the unconscious patterns and early experiences that contribute to depression. When depression has roots in unresolved grief, relationship patterns, or identity struggles, deeper work creates lasting change.
Our approach to this:
Depression is complex and often requires multiple therapeutic approaches working together. We combine research-supported modalities to address depression from multiple angles, matching interventions to what each person needs most.
Our approach to this:
Supporting someone with depression is challenging and requires balancing validation with boundaries. Understanding what helps and what makes things harder can reduce conflict and create stability for everyone involved.
Validation means acknowledging someone’s pain is real, even when it’s hard to fully understand. Saying “I can see you’re really struggling” tends to land better than “Just think positively.” Simple statements like “This sounds really hard” communicate understanding without trying to minimize their experience.
The goal isn’t to fix feelings or offer solutions they didn’t ask for. Sometimes the most helpful response is sitting with someone’s pain without trying to make it go away. Validation reduces isolation and creates space for connection when it’s needed most.
Supporting treatment without taking responsibility for someone’s recovery creates healthier dynamics. Encouraging therapy when someone is struggling and celebrating small steps forward, like making appointments or showing up to sessions, can make a difference.
Practical help, like researching therapists or making the first phone call, can reduce barriers when depression makes everything feel overwhelming. At the same time, it’s important not to become someone’s therapist or try to manage their depression. Respecting their autonomy in treatment decisions while recognizing when personal support is needed helps maintain boundaries.
Family involvement can significantly support depression treatment when relationship dynamics play a role. Family therapy improves communication patterns that may contribute to depression, helps family members understand what depression actually is and how to respond effectively, and addresses relationship dynamics that might be maintaining symptoms.
What family therapy offers:
Boundaries protect both people in the relationship and create a necessary structure. Understanding that it’s not possible to save someone who isn’t ready to engage in their own recovery prevents burnout. Boundaries aren’t about punishment or control; they’re about sustainability.
Essential boundaries include:
Supporting someone with depression is genuinely draining and requires intentional self-care. Recognizing that depression can’t be fixed through care alone, no matter how strong the relationship, helps manage expectations. Taking care of oneself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for being able to show up consistently.
Self-care strategies for caregivers:
Our practice supports people who want more than surface-level coping strategies. We focus on understanding root causes, building sustainable skills, and creating lasting change rather than just reducing symptoms temporarily.
What defines our team’s work:
Our practice supports people who want more than surface-level coping strategies. We focus on understanding root causes, building sustainable skills, and creating lasting change rather than just reducing symptoms temporarily.
What sets us apart:
Be Well ATL provides in-person therapy at 3044 Shallowford Rd., Atlanta, GA 30341, along with online therapy options for individuals who need remote care. The office is located in Chamblee, easily accessible from North Druid Hills, Doraville, Brookhaven, and throughout DeKalb County.
Access and location details:
Many people feel nervous about starting therapy, especially when depression makes even small decisions feel overwhelming. The first session is designed to create safety and clarity, not add more weight. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out or to share more than feels comfortable.
The initial conversation focuses on:
By the end of the session, there’s typically more clarity about what therapy could offer and what the next steps might look like.
Therapy is one of the most effective treatments for depression, backed by decades of research showing significant symptom reduction and improved quality of life. Multiple research-supported approaches work for depression, with the best choice depending on specific symptoms, preferences, and what’s driving the depression.
What Research Shows About Depression Therapy Effectiveness
Large-scale studies consistently demonstrate that therapy produces lasting change:
Research-Supported Approaches That Work
Several therapeutic modalities have strong research support:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT identifies and changes thought patterns maintaining depression.
What it targets:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
ACT teaches psychological flexibility through changing relationships with difficult thoughts.
Core components:
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic approaches explore unconscious patterns and early experiences.
Best for:
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
IPT focuses on relationship patterns and life transitions.
Key areas:
Mindfulness-Based and Holistic Approaches
Mindfulness practices change how people relate to difficult thoughts and emotions.
How it works:
How Therapy Creates Lasting Change
Depression therapy addresses multiple levels simultaneously:
Choosing the Right Approach
Matching therapy to individual needs:
Individual Therapy vs Family Involvement in Depression Treatment
Understanding when to involve family members:
Individual Therapy for Depression
Individual therapy creates a private space for:
When Family Therapy Supports Depression Recovery
Family involvement enhances treatment when:
Combined Individual and Family Sessions
Many people benefit from blended approaches:
Levels of Care for Depression in Atlanta
Depression treatment exists on a spectrum from weekly outpatient therapy to 24/7 residential care.
Traditional Outpatient Therapy
Weekly 50-minute sessions appropriate for mild to moderate depression:
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
More frequent sessions when standard weekly therapy isn’t enough:
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
Full-day structured treatment while living at home:
Residential and Inpatient Options for Severe Depression
24/7 structured care in therapeutic or hospital environments:
Depression duration varies significantly depending on severity, whether treatment is pursued, and individual factors. Without treatment, episodes typically last 6-8 months on average, though some resolve sooner while others persist for years.
Untreated Depression Timeline
Research on untreated depression shows concerning patterns:
How Treatment Affects Recovery Time
Engaging in depression therapy typically reduces episode duration significantly:
Typical Treatment Timeline
Progress happens in stages:
Understanding Major Depressive Disorder vs Persistent Depressive Disorder
Depression manifests in different patterns requiring different treatment approaches.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
Major depressive disorder involves distinct episodes:
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
Chronic patterns characterize persistent depressive disorder:
Treatment Approaches for Different Patterns
Therapy adjusts based on depression type:
Factors That Influence How Long Therapy Takes
Several elements impact the treatment timeline:
What Recovery Means
Recovery from depression doesn’t mean feeling sad again:
Preventing Relapse After Treatment
Depression can recur even after successful treatment.
Why Depression Recurs
Understanding recurrence risk:
Relapse Prevention Strategies
Effective therapy includes explicit relapse prevention work:
When to Return to Therapy
Using therapy as a long-term resource:
Depressive episodes can be triggered by stressful life events, biological factors, relationship changes, seasonal shifts, or seemingly nothing at all. Understanding specific triggers helps build early intervention strategies that prevent full episodes from developing, though not all episodes can be prevented.
Common Life Event Triggers
Significant changes or losses often precipitate depression:
Biological and Seasonal Triggers
Depression has physiological components that create vulnerability.
Hormonal and Reproductive Factors
Hormonal changes can trigger depression:
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Seasonal changes trigger depression for many people:
Other Biological Factors
Additional physiological contributors:
Relational and Emotional Triggers
Interpersonal patterns often activate depressive episodes:
When There’s No Clear Trigger
Sometimes depressive episodes emerge without obvious external causes:
Building Prevention Strategies
While not all episodes can be prevented, therapy teaches early intervention skills:
Depression develops through complex interactions of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. There’s no single root cause. The chemical imbalance theory is oversimplified. While brain chemistry is involved, depression reflects dysregulation across multiple systems, not just low serotonin.
Understanding Depression as Multifactorial
Depression emerges when multiple vulnerability factors converge:
The Chemical Imbalance Myth
For decades, depression was explained as a simple chemical imbalance.
Why this explanation is incomplete:
Psychological Root Causes
Depression often has psychological origins that therapy addresses directly:
Environmental and Social Contributors
Context shapes depression risk significantly:
Why Understanding Causes Matters for Treatment
Knowing what contributes to depression helps target treatment effectively:
Managing Bipolar Disorder and Other Mood Disorders
Bipolar disorder and other mood disorders require specialized treatment approaches distinct from unipolar depression.
Understanding Bipolar Depression
Bipolar disorder involves depressive episodes alternating with manic or hypomanic episodes:
Other Mood Disorders
Additional mood conditions that may present with depression:
When Be Well ATL Can Help
Our therapists work with mood disorders when:
Integrated Care for Depression and Substance Abuse
Depression and substance use often co-occur, each intensifying the other.
Understanding Dual Diagnosis
When depression and substance abuse exist together:
Treatment Approaches for Co-Occurring Conditions
Effective dual diagnosis treatment requires coordination:
Be Well ATL’s Approach to Co-Occurring Conditions
Our practice addresses co-occurring depression and substance use when:
Certain daily habits significantly impact depression severity and recovery. Behavioral activation, consistent sleep, social connection, and movement all support mood regulation. Conversely, isolation, substance use, irregular sleep, and avoidance intensify depression symptoms.
Habits That Support Depression Recovery
Small, consistent actions build momentum over time.
Behavioral Activation
Engaging in activities even when motivation is absent helps break the depression cycle.
Why it works:
How to practice behavioral activation:
Sleep Consistency
Regular sleep schedules support mood regulation more than total hours slept:
Social Connection
Maintaining relationships even minimally prevents isolation that deepens depression:
Physical Movement
Exercise shows antidepressant effects comparable to medication for mild to moderate depression:
Structured Routine
Depression thrives in chaos and unpredictability:
Stress Management and Relaxation
Chronic stress intensifies depression and makes recovery more difficult.
Effective stress management techniques:
Emotion Regulation Skills
Depression often involves difficulty managing emotional intensity.
Key emotion regulation skills:
What Intensifies Depression
Certain patterns worsen depression symptoms and slow recovery.
Isolation and Withdrawal
Avoiding people and canceling plans deepens depression:
Substance Use
Alcohol and drugs provide temporary relief but worsen depression over time:
Irregular Sleep
Sleep pattern disruption intensifies symptoms:
Avoidance and Rumination
Avoiding difficult emotions while ruminating on negative thoughts creates a cycle:
Perfectionism and Self-Criticism
Harsh internal dialogue and impossible standards maintain depression:
Building Sustainable Habits During Treatment
Therapy helps identify which habits work for specific situations and build them gradually:
Therapy for depression is worth it for most people and often more effective long-term than medication alone. While medication can provide faster symptom relief initially, therapy teaches skills that prevent relapse and address underlying patterns medication doesn’t touch. The best outcomes typically come from combining both when depression is moderate to severe.
Comparing Therapy and Medication Outcomes
Research comparing treatments shows nuanced results.
Medication Timeline and Effects
How medication works:
Therapy Timeline and Effects
How therapy works:
When Medication Makes Sense
Certain presentations benefit significantly from medication:
Be Well ATL provides therapy but does not prescribe medication. If medication might help, therapists can coordinate care with psychiatrists or recommend a psychiatric evaluation alongside ongoing therapy work.
Why Therapy Addresses What Medication Can’t
Medication can reduce symptoms, but doesn’t address several key areas:
Making the Decision
Consider therapy if:
Consider combining therapy and medication if:
The choice isn’t all-or-nothing. Many people start with one approach and add the other if needed.
Warning Signs Therapy Isn’t Working
Not all therapy is equally effective, and fit matters significantly.
Patterns Suggesting Treatment Isn’t Helping
Watch for these signs:
When Switching Therapists Is Appropriate
Trust experience and instincts:
Red Flags Requiring Immediate Action
Certain behaviors are never acceptable:
Certain phrases, even when well-intentioned, can feel invalidating or dismissive to someone with depression. Avoiding these statements and understanding what creates connection rather than isolation helps maintain relationships during difficult periods.
Phrases That Feel Invalidating
Common statements that often hurt rather than help.
“Just think positive” or “Look on the bright side.”
Why doesn’t it help:
“Other people have it worse.”
Why does this not help:
“You just need to exercise, eat better, or get outside.”
Why doesn’t it help:
“Snap out of it” or “Pull yourself together.”
Why does this not help:
“Have you tried not being sad?”
Why doesn’t it help:
What Actually Helps
Validation and presence matter more than advice.
Helpful Responses
Statements that create connection:
When to Encourage Professional Help
If someone is struggling with depression, encouraging therapy can be lifesaving.
How to Frame Professional Support
Effective approaches:
Boundaries for Well-Being
Supporting someone with depression is exhausting.
Maintaining Healthy Boundaries
Essential self-care practices:
Distinguishing between temporary low mood and depression requiring treatment can be difficult. If symptoms persist for more than two weeks, interfere with daily functioning, feel overwhelming, or include thoughts of death or self-harm, therapy is warranted. Waiting for depression to resolve on its own often allows it to become more entrenched.
Signs This Is More Than a Rough Patch
Several indicators suggest depression rather than temporary sadness.
Duration
Time-based indicators:
Intensity
Severity indicators:
Functioning Impact
Daily life indicators:
Physical Symptoms
Body-based indicators:
Suicidal Thoughts
Critical indicators:
Normal Sadness vs Clinical Depression
Understanding the difference helps determine when to seek help.
Normal Sadness Typically
Characteristics of temporary sadness:
Clinical Depression Typically
Characteristics of depression:
When to Seek Help
Someone doesn’t have to wait until depression is severe:
The Cost of Waiting
Untreated depression typically worsens over time:
Finding the right depression therapist in Atlanta involves considering their training in research-supported approaches, experience with depression specifically, office location accessibility, whether they accept insurance, and whether their therapeutic style feels like a good fit.
What to Look For in Training and Credentials
Licensed therapists in Georgia include LCSWs, LPCs, LMFTs, and psychologists.
Key qualifications to verify:
Understanding Professional Titles
Different licenses and what they mean.
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC)
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
Psychologists (PhD or PsyD)
What matters most is depression-specific training, not the title.
Location and Accessibility in Atlanta
Office location affects weekly attendance consistency.
Be Well ATL’s Chamblee Office
Location benefits:
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options
Most insurance plans cover outpatient therapy sessions.
What to Verify
Insurance considerations:
Evaluating Fit During Consultations
Most therapists offer free initial consultations to assess fit.
Questions to Consider
Assessing therapeutic fit:
Insurance Coverage and Payment Options for Therapy
Understanding how to pay for depression treatment helps plan for consistent care.
What Most Insurance Plans Cover
Outpatient therapy coverage typically includes:
In-Network vs Out-of-Network Providers
Understanding provider networks:
Private Pay and Sliding Scale Options
Alternatives to insurance:
Verifying Your Benefits
Steps to understand coverage:
Navigating the Admissions Process for Depression Treatment
Starting therapy involves straightforward steps designed to match you with appropriate care.
Initial Contact and Consultation
First steps in beginning treatment:
Comprehensive Assessment Process
The first session includes a thorough assessment:
Collaborative Treatment Planning
After assessment, creating a plan together:
Beginning Regular Treatment
Starting the therapeutic work:
