Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
PLEASE NOTE: Ruth offers phone and video sessions only.​
Appointments are available Monday to Friday.
PLEASE NOTE: Ruth offers phone and video sessions only.​
What Is Depression?
Depression is more than sadness. It's a signal that something important is missing in your life, or that something in your life needs your attention. At its core, it's a feeling of helplessness and hopelessness—a deep sense that nothing is going to get better, that you're stuck, and that trying won't make a difference. Many people describe it as "going through the motions" or feeling disconnected from their own life.
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Depression can show up in many ways. Some people notice they're sleeping too much or can't sleep at all. Others lose interest in things that used to matter, struggle to concentrate, or feel emotionally numb. Physical symptoms like fatigue, appetite changes, or unexplained aches are also common.
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The good news is that depression is very treatable.
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Understanding what kind of depression you're dealing with is a good place to start. Each type has its own pattern, and learning how it works can help you find the right kind of help.
Major Depression
This is what most people picture when they think of depression. It involves a period of at least two weeks where mood drops significantly, energy disappears, and daily life becomes difficult to manage. Sleep problems, appetite changes, and feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness are common.
Dysthymia
This is a low-grade, chronic heaviness that becomes part of the background. People with dysthymia often function day-to-day, but they rarely feel good. They may describe themselves as "always a little down" or "never really happy." Because it lasts so long, many people assume this is just who they are
Postpartum Depression
More than just the "baby blues", this a serious depression that happens after childbirth, making it hard to bond with the baby, care for yourself, or manage daily tasks. Feelings of inadequacy, guilt, or overwhelming anxiety are common. It can affect anyone who gives birth, regardless of circumstance.
Situational Depression
Sometimes depression develops in response to a specific life event—job loss, divorce, grief, illness, or major change. The sadness is disproportionate or lasts longer than expected. While it's tied to a situation, the depression feels just as real and can interfere significantly with functioning.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Some people's depression follows a seasonal pattern, typically worsening in fall and winter when daylight hours shrink. This is very common during Niagara winters. Energy plummets, sleep increases, and motivation disappears. When spring returns, symptoms lift. This pattern repeats year after year.
Depression with Anxiety
Depression and anxiety often travel together. The mind races with worry while the body feels heavy and drained. Some people experience panic attacks alongside low mood. Others feel simultaneously wired and exhausted. This combination can be particularly difficult because you feel pulled in opposite directions.
Getting Help For Depression
If you're reading this, you're probably tired of feeling this way.
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Maybe you've been managing on your own for months—or years. Maybe you've convinced yourself you should be able to handle it, or that it's not "bad enough" to need help. Maybe you're worried that talking about it will make it more real.
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That's where therapy can help.
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For adults, we use evidence-based approaches that address both thinking patterns and underlying emotional needs—Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and emotionally-focused methods that help you get back to living a meaningful, joyful life.
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For children and teens, we use play therapy and developmentally appropriate techniques that help them express difficult feelings, build resilience, and rediscover a sense of hope and possibility.
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Therapy doesn't fix everything overnight. But it creates space to feel understood and also to make sense of what you're experiencing so that you can take practical steps forward, even when motivation is low and everything feels hard.
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Depression sometimes tells you that nothing will help, that you're stuck, that this is just how life is.
Therapy helps you discover the truth that there's a way forward—even when you can't see it yet—and that you can become that person again. Someone who has energy, who feels hopeful, and enjoys life and all that it offers.
Taking The Next Step
It's normal to feel unsure about reaching out for help with depression.
Many people hesitate because they don't have the energy to start, worry it won't actually help, or feel like they should be able to handle it on their own.
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When you contact us, you'll speak with someone from our client care team who will take the time to listen and understand what you've been dealing with. They'll help match you with a therapist who fits your needs and preferences.
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From there, your therapist will move at a pace that feels manageable for you. Our therapists are well-trained in treating depression and understand how draining it can feel. Early sessions focus on getting to know you and understanding how depression shows up in your life. A few sessions later, you'll be working on small, practical ways to rebuild energy, challenge hopeless thinking, and reconnect with what matters to you.
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Depression doesn't have to run your life.
Let's work together to build a life you love.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What's the difference between sadness and depression?
A. Sadness is a normal emotion that passes. Depression lasts longer (typically two weeks or more), affects daily functioning, and includes symptoms like sleep changes, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of hopelessness.
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Q. Can depression go away on its own?
A. Sometimes mild depression lifts on its own, but waiting often makes it worse. Professional help speeds recovery and teaches skills to prevent future episodes.
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Q. What causes depression?
A. Depression results from a combination of factors: brain chemistry, genetics, stressful life events, chronic illness, lack of social support, and hormonal changes. It's rarely just one thing.
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Q. Do I need medication for depression?
A. Not everyone does. Many people recover through therapy alone. Your therapist can help you decide if medication would be helpful and connect you with a doctor if needed.
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Q. Can you have depression and anxiety at the same time?
A. Yes. Depression and anxiety commonly occur together. Treatment addresses both conditions, often using overlapping approaches.
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Q. What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't work?
A. Different therapists, different approaches, and different timing can all make a difference. What didn't work before doesn't mean therapy can't help now.
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Q. What kind of therapy works best for depression?
A. Several approaches have strong research support for treating depression. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) helps you recognize and change negative thought patterns that keep depression going. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on reconnecting with what matters to you and building a meaningful life even when difficult feelings show up. Emotionally-focused approaches help you understand what your depression is telling you about unmet needs. Your therapist will choose the methods that fit your specific situation, and often uses a combination of approaches tailored to what you're dealing with.
