AREAS OF PRACTICE
Depression
Depression can make everything feel heavier. Getting out of bed, answering messages, and showing up for work and the people you care about can take energy you don't have.
Harbourside therapists offer practical support to help life feel manageable again.
Approaches
Evidence-Based Approaches for Depression
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
CBT
Your therapist helps you notice the patterns of thinking that keep low mood going, like harsh self-criticism or all-or-nothing thinking, and build more balanced ways of seeing things.
Behavioural Activation
BA
Small, planned steps back toward the activities and connections depression has pushed aside, so motivation can follow action rather than waiting for it to return first.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
ACT
Making room for difficult feelings without letting them run the show, and reconnecting with what matters most to you.
Other approaches as needed. Your therapist draws on additional approaches when they fit your needs and goals.
When Low Mood Becomes Depression
Everyone has hard days. Depression is different. It lasts for weeks or longer and starts to affect work, relationships and everyday life.
You might notice:
Persistent sadness, emptiness or numbness
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Changes in sleep or appetite
Low energy and trouble concentrating
Feeling worthless, guilty or like a burden
Pulling away from friends and family
The Process
What to Expect in Therapy at Harbourside
When energy is low, even reaching out can feel like a lot. Harbourside therapists keep the process simple, collaborative and paced to you.
Understanding What's Happening
You and your therapist look at how depression shows up for you, what keeps it going, and what you'd like to change.
Small, Manageable Steps
Together you set realistic goals, starting small, so progress feels possible even on low-energy days.
Building New Patterns
Practical tools for unhelpful thinking, routines and connection, practised between sessions at your own pace.
Feeling More Like Yourself
As mood lifts, the focus shifts to staying well and spotting early signs if things start to slide.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online therapy effective for depression?
Research suggests therapy by video works well for depression for many people, and it removes the effort of travelling to appointments on harder days.
Can I do therapy if I'm taking medication for depression?
Yes. Many people combine therapy and medication. Your therapist can work alongside your doctor if that's helpful.
How long does therapy for depression take?
It depends on what you're dealing with and your goals. Your therapist reviews progress with you regularly so you can decide together what comes next.
Find a Therapist at Harbourside
Every therapist at Harbourside works in specific areas.
Choose what you'd like help with to see who fits, or let us match you.
