Depression Counseling in Castle Rock, CO
You don't have to keep pushing through alone. Compassionate, evidence-based therapy to help you find your way back to yourself.
Book a Free ConsultationSome days it takes everything you have just to get out of bed. The things that used to make you happy don't seem to matter anymore. You're going through the motions, but inside you feel empty. Numb. Like you're watching your life from behind a foggy window.
Maybe you've been telling yourself it's just a rough patch. That you should be able to snap out of it. That other people have it worse. But the heaviness won't lift. And pretending to be okay is exhausting.
If this sounds familiar, please know – what you're experiencing is real. Depression isn't a character flaw or a sign of weakness. It's a treatable condition that affects millions of people, and with the right support, it does get better.
At South Denver Therapy in Castle Rock, we specialize in helping people find their way out of depression. Not with empty platitudes or generic advice, but with proven strategies that actually work. You dont have to keep suffering in silence.
Recognizing When You Need Help with Depression
Depression is sneaky. It creeps in gradually, making it hard to recognize when normal sadness has turned into something more serious. And because depression affects your thinking, it can convince you that feeling this way is just who you are now.
You might benefit from depression counseling if you're experiencing:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness that lasts most of the day, nearly every day, for weeks
- Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy – hobbies, socializing, even things you loved
- Changes in sleep – sleeping too much, or lying awake unable to fall asleep
- Fatigue and low energy that makes even simple tasks feel overwhelming
- Difficulty concentrating or making decisions that used to be easy
- Changes in appetite – eating much more or much less than usual
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt about things that aren't your fault
- Withdrawing from people and canceling plans because you just can't face it
- Thoughts of death or feeling like others would be better off without you
If you're experiencing several of these symptoms, please reach out. You don't need to wait until you're in crisis to deserve help. And if you're having thoughts of suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
How We Approach Depression Treatment
There's no quick fix for depression, but there are treatments that actually work. Our approach combines proven therapeutic methods tailored to your specific situation and needs.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT helps you identify the negative thought patterns that fuel depression – like "I'm a failure" or "nothing will ever get better" – and replace them with more balanced, realistic thinking. You'll learn to catch these thoughts before they spiral and develop healthier ways of responding to life's challenges.
Behavioral Activation
Depression makes you want to withdraw, but withdrawal makes depression worse. Behavioral activation helps you gradually re-engage with activities that bring meaning and pleasure back into your life. We start small and build momentum – even tiny steps count when you're climbing out of depression.
EMDR for Trauma-Related Depression
Sometimes depression is rooted in past experiences that haven't been fully processed. EMDR helps your brain heal from these stuck memories that may be contributing to your depression. It's especially effective when traditional talk therapy hasn't brought lasting relief.
Learn more about EMDR →Types of Depression We Treat
Depression isn't one-size-fits-all. It shows up differently for different people, and understanding your specific type helps us create the most effective treatment plan.
Major Depressive Disorder
Intense depression that significantly interferes with daily life. You might struggle to work, maintain relationships, or take care of basic needs. Episodes can last weeks to months and may recur throughout life without treatment.
Persistent Depressive Disorder
A lower-grade depression that lasts for years. You might be functioning, but you can't remember the last time you felt genuinely good. It's easy to mistake this for "just how you are" rather than recognizing it as treatable depression.
Situational Depression
Depression triggered by a specific life event – job loss, divorce, death of a loved one, major life transition. While the trigger is clear, the depression is real and deserves proper support to process and heal.
Postpartum Depression
More than "baby blues," postpartum depression can develop during pregnancy or after birth. Symptoms include overwhelming sadness, anxiety, and difficulty bonding with your baby. Early treatment is important for both parent and child.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Depression that follows a seasonal pattern, typically worsening in fall and winter when daylight decreases. Colorado's high altitude and sunny days help, but many people still struggle with seasonal mood changes.
What Depression Therapy Looks Like
Starting therapy when you're depressed can feel like an impossible task. Here's exactly what to expect, so you can take that first step with confidence:
Free Consultation
A brief 15-minute phone call where we learn a little about what you're going through and answer your questions. No pressure, no commitment. Just a chance to see if we're a good fit.
Assessment Session
Your first full session focuses on understanding your depression – when it started, what makes it better or worse, and how it's affecting your life. We'll talk about your history, your goals, and what you've already tried. This helps us create a personalized treatment plan.
Building Skills & Momentum
In the following sessions, we'll start implementing strategies to interrupt the depression cycle. You'll learn to challenge negative thoughts, gradually increase meaningful activities, and develop coping tools. We go at your pace – small wins matter.
Addressing Root Causes
Once you have some stability, we can explore what's underneath the depression – past experiences, relationship patterns, core beliefs about yourself. This is where deeper, lasting healing happens. EMDR may be helpful here if trauma is involved.
Maintaining Progress
As you start feeling better, we'll focus on preventing relapse. You'll learn to recognize early warning signs and have a plan for managing future low periods. The goal is for you to feel confident navigating life on your own.
"Depression lies to you. It tells you things will never get better, that you're beyond help, that this is just who you are. But with the right support, people recover from depression every day. You can be one of them."
Why Choose South Denver Therapy for Depression Treatment
Meet Carissa Keeter
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) • EMDRIA CertifiedCarissa specializes in helping people overcome depression using evidence-based approaches that actually work. She's trained and certified in EMDR through EMDRIA, giving her additional tools for treating depression that's rooted in past trauma. Carissa creates a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can be honest about how you're really feeling – no need to put on a brave face.
Learn more about CarissaAward-Winning Care
Voted Best of the Best in Mental Health for Castle Rock in both 2024 and 2025. Our community trusts us with their mental health.
Two Convenient Locations
Offices on Sixth Street downtown and on Maleta Lane. Easy access for Douglas County residents.
In-Person & Online Options
When depression makes leaving home feel impossible, telehealth lets you get help from your couch. Available for anyone in Colorado.
Evidence-Based Treatment
We use approaches proven by research to help with depression – CBT, behavioral activation, and EMDR. Real strategies, not just venting.
📍 Serving Castle Rock & the South Denver Metro
Our offices are located in Castle Rock, but we see clients from throughout Douglas County and the South Denver area. Whether you're coming from Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Centennial, or Littleton, we're an easy drive. And if getting out of the house feels impossible right now, our telehealth services are available to anyone in Colorado.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm depressed or just sad?
Sadness is a normal emotion that comes and goes, usually in response to a specific situation. Depression is different – it sticks around for weeks or months, affects multiple areas of your life, and often doesn't have an obvious cause. If you've been feeling persistently low, empty, or hopeless for more than two weeks, and it's affecting your sleep, energy, appetite, or ability to function, it may be depression.
What happens in depression counseling?
Depression counseling involves talking with a trained therapist who helps you understand your depression and develop strategies to feel better. You'll learn to identify negative thought patterns, build healthy coping skills, and gradually reconnect with activities that bring meaning to your life. We use evidence-based approaches like CBT and behavioral activation that have been proven to help.
How long does depression treatment take?
Most people start noticing some improvement within 6-8 sessions, though full treatment for depression typically takes 12-20 sessions. The timeline depends on the type and severity of your depression, how long you've been experiencing it, and whether there are underlying factors like trauma. We'll regularly check in on your progress and adjust the approach as needed.
Do you offer online therapy for depression?
Yes! We offer both in-person depression counseling at our Castle Rock office and online therapy via secure video for anyone in Colorado. Telehealth can be especially helpful when depression makes it hard to leave the house. Many clients from Parker, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and the Denver metro area prefer online sessions.
Can therapy help depression without medication?
Yes, therapy alone can be very effective for mild to moderate depression. Research shows that CBT and other evidence-based therapies work just as well as medication for many people. For more severe depression, a combination of therapy and medication often works best. We can help you figure out what approach makes sense for your situation.
How much does depression counseling cost in Castle Rock?
Carissa charges $175 per 60-minute session. We partner with Mentaya to help you get reimbursed through your out-of-network insurance benefits – many clients are surprised to learn they can get 50-80% of their session costs covered. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about insurance reimbursement.
Take the First Step Toward Feeling Like Yourself Again
Depression makes everything harder – including reaching out for help. But you've already taken a step by reading this far. Take one more and schedule a free consultation. You deserve to feel better.
Book Your Free ConsultationOr call us at (720) 663-8046