If you’re reading this, something in your life probably feels heavier than it used to. Maybe mornings are harder. Maybe the things that once brought you joy feel flat or distant. Maybe you’ve been going through the motions, showing up at work and taking care of responsibilities, while carrying an invisible weight no one else seems to notice. Depression affects millions of people, and here in Manassas, VA, I have spent nearly two decades helping people find their way back to themselves. Reaching out takes courage, and things truly can get better.
Wondering if therapy could help? Call (571) 229-3418 or book your first session.
What is Depression?
Depression is far more than feeling sad. It is a complex mental health condition that affects how you think, feel, and function in daily life. Clinical depression (also called major depressive disorder) involves persistent changes in mood, energy, motivation, and even physical health that last for weeks, months, or sometimes years.
Depression takes many forms. Major depressive disorder involves intense episodes that can make it difficult to work, sleep, eat, or enjoy life. Persistent depressive disorder, sometimes called dysthymia, is a lower-grade but longer-lasting form that can feel like a constant gray cloud over everything. Seasonal affective disorder brings depressive episodes tied to changes in seasons, typically worsening during fall and winter months. Postpartum depression can emerge after childbirth, complicating what many expect to be a joyful time.
What all forms of depression share is that they are not a sign of weakness or a character flaw. Depression involves real changes in brain chemistry, thought patterns, and nervous system functioning. It often develops in response to life experiences: loss, trauma, chronic stress, relationship difficulties. And it responds to professional treatment. Understanding depression as a legitimate condition, not something you should simply be able to “snap out of,” is the first step toward getting better.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
Depression can look different from person to person, but there are common signs to watch for. You may be experiencing depression if you notice:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness that doesn’t seem to lift, even when good things happen
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, hobbies, or relationships you once enjoyed
- Changes in sleep patterns, whether that’s sleeping too much, struggling with insomnia, or waking in the early morning hours
- Fatigue and low energy, even after adequate rest
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things
- Changes in appetite or weight, eating significantly more or less than usual
- Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-blame that feel disproportionate to the situation
- Irritability or restlessness that seems out of character
- Physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain without a clear medical cause
- Withdrawal from social connections, preferring isolation even when you know connection would help
- Thoughts of death or suicide, or a sense that others would be better off without you
If you recognize several of these symptoms in yourself, especially if they have persisted for two weeks or more, professional support can make a meaningful difference. Depression is highly treatable, and you deserve help.
How IFS Helps with Depression
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is the primary approach I use in my work with depression. It addresses depression at its roots: the emotional wounds and protective patterns that drive your symptoms.
IFS therapy understands that your mind is made up of different “parts,” each with its own feelings, perspectives, and roles. When you’re depressed, certain parts may be working overtime. Maybe a part carries deep sadness from the past, or a protective part numbs you to avoid pain. Rather than fighting against these parts or trying to silence them, IFS helps you develop a caring relationship with each one. By understanding why a part is doing what it’s doing, you can help it release the burdens it carries. This often leads to real, lasting relief because you’re addressing the source of the depression rather than just its surface.
Combined with person-centered and mindfulness therapeutic approaches, this creates comprehensive treatment that addresses both the symptoms and the roots of depression.
My Approach to Depression Treatment
With over 19 years of clinical experience and certification in IFS therapy, I bring both depth and warmth to my work with depression. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Certified IFS Therapist who has completed Level 2 IFS training, and I hold a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional credential. This combination means I am equipped to work with depression at every level, including depression rooted in trauma or anxiety.
When you come to me for depression treatment, I don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. In our initial sessions, I take time to understand your unique experience: what your depression feels like, when it started, what makes it better or worse, and what you’ve already tried. From there, we develop a treatment plan together that draws on the approaches most likely to help you.
My style is warm, direct, and collaborative. I believe that healing happens in relationship, and I work to create a space where you feel truly seen and safe enough to explore difficult emotions. I also believe in your innate capacity to heal, a core principle of IFS therapy, and my role is to help you access the wisdom and resilience that already exist within you. You can learn more about my background and training to see if we might be a good fit.
For those whose depression intersects with relationship difficulties, I also offer couples therapy to address how depression affects and is affected by your closest relationships.
What to Expect in Sessions
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other and for me to understand what you’re going through. I’ll ask about your history, your current symptoms, and what you hope to gain from therapy. This is also your chance to ask me anything about my approach, my experience, or what the process looks like.
In ongoing sessions, we’ll work together at a pace that feels right for you. Some sessions may focus on practical coping strategies for managing depressive symptoms in the moment. Others may involve deeper IFS work, gently exploring the parts of you that carry pain or protective patterns. I integrate mindfulness practices when helpful, teaching you to observe your inner experience with curiosity rather than judgment.
Sessions are 50 minutes and are available both in-person at my Manassas, VA office and via telehealth for clients in Virginia and Florida. Many clients begin with weekly sessions and transition to biweekly as they progress. My fee is $215 per session, and I accept Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance.
What I Bring to This Work
Here is what sets my practice apart:
- Specialized credentials: As a Certified IFS Therapist with Level 2 training, I offer a depth of expertise in IFS that goes beyond introductory training. My CCTP credential reflects additional specialization in trauma, which frequently underlies depression.
- Extensive experience: With a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Towson University and over 19 years of clinical practice, I have walked alongside hundreds of individuals through depression and helped them reclaim their lives.
- Whole-person approach: I honor every dimension of who you are, including the emotional, relational, spiritual, and practical. For clients who wish to integrate their faith into therapy, I offer Christian counseling alongside evidence-based treatment.
- Genuine warmth: My clients consistently describe feeling safe, heard, and understood in our work together. I believe the therapeutic relationship itself is a powerful part of getting better.
If you’re ready to take the next step, book your first session or call (571) 229-3418. I’d be glad to talk with you about how therapy can help.