Depression Therapy in Florida

Depression therapy at Challenges Conquered Counseling is regular one-on-one counseling for people living with low mood, loss of interest, and low energy. We see adults, teens and children at our Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville offices and by secure video anywhere in Florida.

Depression that does not look like depression

Plenty of people living with depression still get to work on time. They answer the emails, they show up for their kids, and from the outside nothing looks wrong. What is missing is the part underneath: interest, energy, the sense that any of it matters.

The National Institute of Mental Health describes depression as more than sadness, and lists persistent low mood, loss of interest, changes in sleep and appetite, and trouble concentrating among its signs (NIMH: Depression). You do not need every sign, and you do not need a reason you can point to.

What therapy involves

Therapy for depression is not mysterious. Your therapist helps you look at the thinking patterns that keep pulling you down, rebuilds the routines depression tends to strip away first, such as sleep, movement and contact with people, and works through whatever sits underneath. That might be grief, a job that hollowed you out, a relationship, or something much older.

Some clients want structured tools and homework. Others need a place to say things out loud they have not said to anyone. You get whichever of those you need, and you can change your mind as you go.

Your first session

Sessions run about fifty minutes. In the first one, your therapist will ask how long this has been going on, how low the low points get, what your support looks like, and whether anything has helped before. There is no form you have to pass.

If medication seems worth considering, we will talk about it honestly and help you coordinate with your doctor. If it is not what you want, we will not push it.

Adults, teens and children

Depression shows up differently by age. In a teenager it can look like irritability, withdrawal, or a slide in grades. In a child it may look like stomachaches, clinginess, or a flat mood after a loss. We work with all three groups, and parents are involved where it helps. If you are looking for care for a younger person, see our pages on teen and adolescent therapy and child and behavioral therapy.

Offices and video across the state

We see clients at 800 E Cypress Creek Rd, Suite 431 in Fort Lauderdale and at 10163 Fortune Pkwy G40 in Jacksonville. Telehealth covers the rest of Florida, and it matters more for depression than for most things. On the weeks when leaving the house feels like too much, a video session is still a session, and keeping the appointment is often the whole point. Local pages: Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Jacksonville.

We work with many major insurance plans. Call us and we will verify your coverage first, so you know your cost before you sit down. You do not need to be at a breaking point to start. Call (954) 600-9403 or request an appointment.

If you are in crisis

If you are thinking about harming yourself or you are in immediate danger, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or call 911. Therapy is not an emergency service, and we do not want you waiting on an appointment.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if I have depression or just a rough patch?

Only a clinician can assess that. As a rough guide, low mood or loss of interest that lasts most of the day for two weeks or more, or that is hurting your work, sleep or relationships, is worth a conversation. Your first session is a place to work out which it is.

Do I have to take medication?

No. Therapy stands on its own, and your therapist will not push medication. If it seems worth considering, we will talk it through honestly and help you coordinate with your own doctor, who is the one who prescribes. Some people use both, and some use therapy alone. It is your choice to make with your own doctor.

Can I do depression therapy by video?

Yes. Secure telehealth is available anywhere in Florida. Many people with depression find it easier to keep appointments when getting out of the house is the hard part, and you can switch to in-person visits in Fort Lauderdale or Jacksonville at any time.

Do you see teens and children for depression?

Yes. We work with adults, teens and children. For younger clients, the therapist uses age-appropriate methods and, with your involvement, helps with what to watch for and how to respond at home. The first call is the place to ask which therapist fits your child's age and what the first visit will involve.

What if I feel too low to even call?

Then a short call or an online request is enough. You do not have to explain everything. Say you are looking for depression therapy, and we will match you with a therapist and walk you through the next step. Many people say the hardest part was that first message, and that it got easier after it was sent.