Depression & low mood
Depression Therapy in Charlotte, NC
Depression is persuasive. It tells you this is just how things are, that nothing would help, and that you should not take up anyone's time. It is wrong about all three.
Depression is not always sadness
- Flatness or numbness rather than crying
- Everything taking more effort than it should
- Losing interest in things you used to look forward to
- Sleeping too much, or waking at 4am and not getting back
- Irritability and a short fuse, particularly in men
- Harsh self-criticism that feels like simple honesty
- Withdrawing from people, then feeling lonely
- Functioning fine at work and coming apart at home
Recognize several of these? That is usually reason enough to start a conversation. Request an appointment →
How we treat depression
Depression maintains itself through a loop: low mood reduces activity, reduced activity removes sources of reward and connection, and the absence of those deepens the low mood. Effective treatment interrupts the loop at more than one point.
Practically, that means behavioral activation to get movement back before motivation returns, cognitive work on the thought patterns depression generates, and, where relevant, addressing what is underneath it. That might be grief, an unprocessed trauma, a relationship, burnout that went untreated, or an unmanaged ADHD load.
What we work with
- Major depressive episodes
- Persistent depressive disorder and long-term low mood
- Postpartum and perinatal depression
- Paternal postpartum depression
- Situational depression after loss, divorce or job change
- Depression alongside anxiety
- Depression alongside substance use
- Seasonal patterns
- Low self-worth and chronic self-criticism
Burnout or depression?
They overlap and they are not the same. Burnout is generally tied to a context, usually work or caregiving, and tends to lift when the context changes. Depression travels with you, dulls things that have nothing to do with work, and does not resolve with a vacation.
The distinction matters because the treatment differs. Part of the first few sessions is working out which one you are actually dealing with, and whether both are in play.
What changes
What clients tend to notice
- Energy and motivation returning in a usable amount
- A more accurate internal narrator
- Re-engagement with people and things you had dropped
- A relapse plan, so a bad week does not become a bad year
Who provides this
Diane Yee
MS, LCMHC
A steady, practical presence for adolescents and adults in transition.
Brooke Wagner
MA, LCMHCA, LCAS-A
Holistic, parts-informed work for people ready to feel like themselves again.
Ashleigh Bryan
MS, LMFT, PMH-C
Couples therapy and maternal mental health, grounded in 17+ years of practice.
Also available with Kelly Roberson and Josh Gorelick.
Depression: questions we are asked
How do I know if it is depression or just a rough patch?
Duration and breadth are the useful markers. Two weeks or more of persistent low mood or loss of interest, affecting more than one area of life, is worth an evaluation. You do not need to meet diagnostic criteria to deserve support.
Do I have to take medication?
No. Therapy is an effective standalone treatment for mild to moderate depression. For severe depression, the combination of therapy and medication has the strongest evidence. We will coordinate with your prescriber if you have one.
I do not have the energy to start therapy. That is the problem.
That is the depression, and it is the most common reason people delay. The lowest-friction start is usually a virtual session, one email, no commute. Send us a message and we will handle the rest.
Do you treat postpartum depression?
Yes. Ashleigh Bryan is Perinatal Mental Health Certified through Postpartum Support International and specializes in perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Get started
Taking the first step is the hardest part.
Tell us a little about what is going on and we will match you with the right clinician, usually within a few days.
In-network with BCBS PPO & Aetna · Self-pay from $155 · Evenings until 8 PM