Depression Counseling for Adults and Teens
Depression counseling is talk therapy for low mood, loss of interest and the tiredness and hopelessness that can come with them. Balanced Life Counseling Services offers it for adults and teens at our Salisbury and Bethesda offices and by telehealth. Therapy can be used alone or together with medication from a prescriber.
Who it helps
Feeling sad, empty or hopeless most of the day
Losing interest in hobbies, people or work you used to care about
Being worn out even after a full night of sleep
Snapping at people or feeling irritable without knowing why
A teenager who has pulled away from friends or whose grades are slipping
Depression is not the same as a bad week
Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, and those feelings usually pass. Depression is different. It can cause symptoms that affect how a person feels, thinks and handles daily activities such as sleeping, eating and working.
For a diagnosis of depression, symptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. Depression can affect anyone, regardless of age, income or background.
Reading a list of symptoms cannot tell you whether you have depression. A licensed clinician can, after talking with you. Our article on signs of depression people often miss describes some of the quieter ones.
How it can show up in adults and in teenagers
Depression does not always look like sadness. These can be signs of depression, especially when several appear together and do not lift:
A persistent sad, anxious or empty mood, or feelings of hopelessness
Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and activities
Fatigue, low energy or feeling slowed down
Trouble concentrating, remembering or making decisions
Sleeping too little, waking too early or sleeping too much
Changes in appetite, or aches and pains without a clear physical cause
In teens: being irritable more than sad, pulling away from friends and family, dropping grades, or changes in eating and sleeping habits
Therapy, medication, or both together
Treatment for depression typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or both. The plan is based on a person's needs, preferences and medical situation, so two people with depression may be treated differently.
In counseling, approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy help people challenge and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Other approaches look at how relationships and life events affect mood. Your therapist will explain what they suggest and why.
Psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication or alongside it. Our team includes a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, so therapy and psychiatric medication management can both be discussed within one practice. Whether to start, change or stop a medication is always a decision for you and your prescriber, not something to decide from a web page.
For a plain-language overview, read therapy and medication together.
What happens in counseling for depression
A first conversation. Your therapist invites you to share what has been going on and any goals you have. If you are not sure what your goals are yet, that is a fine place to start.
A plan you agree on. Together you decide how often to meet. Weekly sessions are typically recommended at the beginning, when low energy can make it hard to keep momentum.
Small, doable steps. Sessions may look at the thoughts that pull your mood down and at activity, sleep and connection with other people. You may get homework, such as planning one activity you used to enjoy.
Looking at how it is going. You and your therapist check what has changed. If you are not improving after a reasonable time, tell your therapist so the plan can be reviewed.
If you are thinking about suicide
Thoughts of death or suicide can be a symptom of depression. They are not something to be ashamed of, and they are a reason to reach out today.
Get help right now
Call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
In a life-threatening situation, call 911.
Our office does not provide emergency services, so please do not wait for a callback from us in a crisis.
More numbers are listed on our crisis resources page.
Beginning depression counseling at Balanced Life
We are accepting new patients for in-person and telehealth appointments. Teen counseling has its own page with details for parents, and video visits are explained under telehealth therapy.
We accept plans including CareFirst / Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Tricare, Medicare and Medical Assistance. Coverage depends on your plan, so verify your benefits first. Self-pay fees and the Sliding Fee Program are on our insurance and fees page.
When you are ready, contact us or call 443-978-8688. Picking up the phone can feel like a lot when you are depressed. A short call is enough to get started.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between sadness and depression?
Sadness is a normal reaction that usually passes with time. Depression lasts longer and reaches further. It can affect how you feel, think, sleep, eat and work. Clinicians look for symptoms that are present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. Only an evaluation with a licensed clinician can tell you which one you are dealing with.
Can counseling help with depression without medication?
Psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to medication or alongside it, and treatment for depression typically involves therapy, medication, or both. Which is right for you depends on your needs, preferences and medical situation. Your therapist can talk through the options, and any decision about medication belongs to you and a prescriber.
Do you offer depression counseling for teenagers?
Yes. Our practice works with teens as well as adults. Depression in teenagers can look like irritability, anger or pulling away from friends and family more than obvious sadness, and grades may drop. If your teen has talked about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 right away. Our office does not provide emergency services.
What happens at the first depression counseling appointment?
The first session is mostly a conversation. Your therapist invites you to share what has been going on, how long it has lasted, and what you hope will change. You will not be pushed to talk about anything before you are ready. By the end, you and your therapist usually agree on how often to meet.
How much does depression counseling cost?
With insurance, your cost depends on your plan's copay and deductible, so check your benefits before you come in. Without insurance, an initial assessment is $150 and a 45 to 50 minute individual session is $130. We also offer a Sliding Fee Program based on household income and family size, which may lower what you pay.
Is counseling for depression available by video?
Yes. We offer telehealth appointments, and psychotherapy for depression can be provided in person or virtually. Video sessions depend on where you are located during the appointment, so ask us when you call. Some people prefer video on days when leaving the house feels hard. Others find that coming to the office helps.
What can I do while I wait for my first appointment?
Go easy on yourself. Small things can help in the meantime, such as some physical activity like walking, keeping a regular sleep schedule, and talking with people you trust about how you feel. These do not replace treatment. If your symptoms get worse or you have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 or call 911.
Ready to talk with someone?
Call 443-978-8688 or request an appointment. We see clients in person in Salisbury and Bethesda and by telehealth across Maryland.
Sources
National Institute of Mental Health: Teen Depression: More Than Just Moodiness
National Institute of Mental Health: Depression (health topic)
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 911.
