Our therapists provide depression counseling in Colorado Springs, CO

Kayla: My go-to approach for treating depression is a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and person-centered therapy. I prefer this approach because it addresses both the cognitive and emotional aspects of depression while also emphasizing the importance of the therapeutic relationship.

Evan: My approach to supporting clients through depression is relational, strength-based, and rooted in the belief that connection and meaning are essential for healing. I focus on building trust, slowing down the internal pace, and helping clients reconnect with their emotional world in a safe and supported way. Depending on the client’s needs, I integrate elements of cognitive therapy, mindfulness, values work, and somatic awareness. I aim to help clients gently shift out of patterns of isolation, shame, or numbness by fostering curiosity, self-compassion, and agency. Depression often asks us to turn inward, but with the right support, it can become a doorway to deep transformation.

Kayla: I teach the following tools in depression counseling:

• Cognitive restructuring: This tool involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns associated with depression. Clients learn to recognize automatic negative thoughts, examine evidence for and against these thoughts, and reframe them in a more balanced and realistic way.
• Behavioral activation: Behavioral activation focuses on increasing engagement in rewarding and pleasurable activities as a way to counteract depression symptoms. Clients learn to identify activities that bring them joy or satisfaction and gradually reintroduce them into their daily routines.
• Mindfulness and relaxation techniques: Mindfulness practices, such as meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation, can help clients cultivate present-moment awareness and reduce stress and anxiety associated with depression.

Evan: I support clients in building practical tools to manage low mood, increase motivation, and reconnect with life. These tools include gentle behavioral activation to reengage with daily structure and purpose, cognitive strategies to challenge patterns of hopelessness and self-criticism, and mindfulness practices to create space between thoughts and identity. I also work with clients on regulating sleep and energy cycles, identifying small steps toward meaningful goals, and developing rituals that support emotional rhythm. In addition to psychological tools, I educate clients about the physiological aspects of depression, including how serotonin is largely produced in the gut and how nutrition and movement impact mood regulation. Understanding the gut-brain connection can help normalize what they are feeling and empower them to take small, supportive actions for both body and mind. For many, cultivating self-kindness and building connection, whether with people, place, or purpose, is at the heart of recovery.

Kayla: I know a client is making meaningful progress in depression counseling when they can implement coping strategies. The client successfully applies coping strategies and techniques learned in therapy to manage depressive symptoms when they arise. They demonstrate an ability to challenge negative thoughts, engage in self-care activities, and utilize relaxation techniques effectively.

Evan: Progress can look different for everyone, but I often notice it when clients start describing moments of aliveness, however small. That might be taking a walk, reaching out to a friend, or expressing something they had been holding in. Sometimes it shows up in their posture, the return of humor, or a shift in the way they speak about themselves. When a client begins to feel even slightly more engaged with life or experiences a moment of hope where there was none, that is meaningful. These signs often emerge quietly but carry profound significance.

Kayla: Clients can supplement their time in depression counseling with physical activation meaning exercise or movement. Engaging in physical activity, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or swimming, can help alleviate symptoms of depression by releasing endorphins and improving mood.

Evan: Clients can support the counseling process by establishing gentle daily rhythms that include movement, nourishment, rest, and moments of connection. Small, consistent actions like making the bed, stepping outside for fresh air, or preparing a meal can reinforce a sense of agency and care. Expressive outlets like writing, art, or music can also help process feelings that are difficult to name. I often encourage clients to find small joys or sensory experiences that feel grounding or comforting. These actions are not meant to force change but to create space for it to unfold.

Kayla: To prepare for your first depression counseling session, you can be open and honest. Going into therapy with an open mind and a willingness to be honest and transparent about your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be wildly beneficial in the long run. Building a trusting relationship with the therapist is essential for effective therapy.

Evan: Preparing for your first session does not require anything formal. If you feel comfortable, you might reflect on what life has felt like lately, what you are struggling with, or what you wish could feel different. But it is also okay if you arrive unsure of where to start. There is no right way to begin this work. Showing up, even with hesitation or uncertainty, is already a brave first step. We will move at a pace that feels manageable, and together we will start to make sense of what you are carrying.