Depression Therapy in Chicago
Depression
Depression Therapy in Chicago
Depression can wear you down in ways that are hard to explain. You pushed through hard seasons on willpower, telling yourself you could handle it. The strain builds, and what once felt manageable starts to feel like too much.
Constant fatigueLoss of interestNumbnessTrouble concentratingPulling away from peopleFeeling not enough
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What it actually feels like
Most people do not arrive saying they are depressed
They say something else first. See whether any of this sounds like your last few months.
Sleeping too much, or barely sleeping at all.
Short with people you love, over nothing.
Lonely even when you are surrounded by people.
An ordinary day feels like too much to get through.
Not sad exactly. Just numb.
Still doing everything. Something underneath has gone quiet.
If you recognized yourself anywhere in that, the recognition itself matters. It is not a diagnosis, and it does not mean something is broken in you. It means something has been carrying weight for a while and is worth paying attention to.
Who you might work with
Some of our depression therapists
Our team is larger than this and openings change week to week. Reach out and our client coordinator will help you find the right fit, including therapists who have availability now.
We are one office, at 700 North Green, and we work online anywhere in Illinois. If you are coming from the West Loop, Wicker Park, River North or Logan Square, each of those has a page with how to get here.
Chelsea Kuk
LPC, CADC
Depression, questions of meaning and identity, and substance use. An existential, harm reduction approach.
Mario Castelo
LCSW, Clinical Supervisor
Depression, anxiety, trauma and complex family dynamics. Sessions in English or Spanish.
Celia Kokoris
LSW, CADC
Depression alongside trauma and substance use. DBT trained, and online anywhere in Illinois.
How we treat it
Depression is not one thing, so we do not treat it one way
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Looks at the thoughts that quietly confirm the low mood, and tests them against the evidence.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Focuses on moving toward what matters without waiting for the motivation to come back first.
Internal Family Systems
Works with the part of you that has turned into a harsh critic, and what it has been trying to protect.
Psychodynamic Therapy
For heaviness that has been there a long time and has roots in older relationships.
Not sure
Is this depression, or a long stretch of tired?
Nine questions, about two minutes. It uses the PHQ-8, the same short screening tool clinicians use. You will get a score and a few things worth reading next. No email needed.
Take the quizFinding your therapist
Expertly matched
therapy, for life
Tell us what is going on. Our Clinical Coordinator connects with you personally and works to match you with the right therapist.
Start hereLicensed therapists
LSW, LCSW, LPC, LCPC and PsyD clinicians.
A person connects with you
Not an automated reply.
A free consult first
So you can tell whether it is right before committing to anything.
What happens next
Getting started
A free consultation. We believe in the power of the therapeutic relationship, and that starts with working with someone who gets you. The consultation is how you find out.
Getting scheduled. We aim to book you within 24 hours of reaching out, and most people are seen that week.
Your first session. You bring what is on your mind. Your therapist takes some history and you set goals together. Your therapist paces it with you.
In-network with
Every therapist is in network with all four plans. We check yours before your first session.
FAQs
Questions about depression therapy
How do I know if this is depression or just sadness?
Sadness usually has a cause and softens over time. Depression tends to persist, sometimes with no obvious trigger, and brings a flatness, a loss of interest and a tiredness that sleep does not fix. If you are not sure where you sit, the check-in above takes about two minutes.
Is therapy for depression actually effective?
The evidence base for treating depression is strong, though no approach works for everyone. Change tends to be gradual rather than dramatic. What matters most is the fit between you and your therapist.
What if I do not have the energy for weekly therapy?
That is part of what depression does, and it is worth saying out loud in the consultation. Many people start weekly and adjust once things steady. Your therapist will talk through a pace with you.
How long do sessions last?
Fifty five minutes, usually weekly to begin with.
What should I bring to my first session?
Just what is on your mind. Your therapist will take some history and you will set goals together.
Is what I share in therapy confidential?
Yes, with the limited legal exceptions your therapist will explain, such as risk of harm to yourself or someone else.
Do you accept insurance?
Every therapist at MARRA is in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO, Aetna, Cigna and UnitedHealthcare PPO plans. We check your plan for you before your first session.
Where are you?
700 North Green Street, Suite 106, Chicago, IL 60642. One office, and online anywhere in Illinois.