TOP RATED NYC DEPRESSION THERAPISTS

Individualized treatment for the authentic you.

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Depression can make it hard to get through the day, let alone enjoy your life. While there’s no quick fix, we’ve seen firsthand how compassionate, consistent depression therapy can help the fog lift. 

Major depression can cast a heavy shadow over daily life, robbing one of joy and motivation. Through compassionate and consistent depression therapy, we've witnessed remarkable transformations. Our practice specializes in working with individuals in New York experiencing depression, anxiety disorders, trauma, and relationship issues. We work collaboratively with adults experiencing depressed mood or a mood disorder, employing evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, and psychodynamic therapy to address common symptoms, exploring underlying causes, and fostering sustainable coping strategies for long-term well-being.

What Is Depression?

Many people have described Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) depression as a dark cloud that comes over ones life without reason, blocking the sun. This experience is often described as sadness, an inability to feel pleasure, feeling low or down, and a lack of motivation or energy. Although we all experience feeling down or “blue,” depression is much more persistent and should not be considered as weakness or something you can simply “get over.” Depression is the most common issue in the U.S., affecting more than 16 million adults in the U.S. in 2016, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.

There are numerous reasons and combinations of factors that contribute to the onset of depression, such as genetics, trauma, environmental factors, and more. Even in more severe cases, depression can be managed with effective treatment with a mental health professional, and you shouldn’t have to go it alone. There are many treatments that can help to manage symptoms of depression, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), psychodynamic therapy, interpersonal therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), meditation, and medication. Treating depression with talk therapy helps with the disruption of negative thought patterns that may prevent future depressive episodes. You deserve a meaningful life and should know that professional guidance can make all the difference in your mental health.

You’re tired of feeling caught in this cycle:

  • Significant lack of pleasure in most activities that was once pleasurable

  • Feeling sad or down most of the time, low mood

  • Significant weight loss or weight gain; or decreased appetite

  • Insomnia or hypersomnia and fatigue

  • Irritability

  • Feeling self doubt and low self worth

  • Poor concentration

  • Pessimism or hopelessness about life

  • Suicidal thoughts

3 of the best therapists for depression in NYC

2. Madeleine Phelan, LMSW

I approach depression therapy with active engagement, offering not just clinical insights but also practical tools to help you manage symptoms and regain balance in your life. My therapeutic style blends concrete techniques with insightful exploration to address both current struggles and their deeper emotional roots. You can expect me to be fully present in our work, guiding you through challenges and helping you develop resilience and self-awareness. I’m here to provide a supportive and collaborative environment where we can tackle depression together, empowering you to move toward a more fulfilling life.

  • Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

3. Janel Coleman, LMSW

I believe a holistic approach is essential when trying to manage depression, focusing on both symptom relief and overall wellness. In our sessions, I integrate applied techniques to develop practical tools for managing negative thoughts and emotions, alongside insight-oriented therapy to address deeper emotional patterns. You’ll find my style to be active and solution-focused, providing tools and strategies you can apply in your daily life. I also incorporate mindfulness and holistic practices to support your journey toward emotional balance and improved mental health.

  • Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

  • License number: 119164-01/New York

  • Education: Washington University at St. Louis, Masters in Social Work

  • Specialty area(s): Depression, Anxiety, Mindfulness-based therapy, Maternal and Women’s Mental Health

1. Madelyn Lunder, LMSW

I offer a calming and supportive environment for you when you’re navigating depression. My approach combines not just cognitive techniques to manage negative thought patterns but also psychodynamic techniques to explore unresolved emotions and deeper personal insights. I aim to bring patience and understanding to our sessions, allowing space for genuine exploration and growth. Together, we’ll develop coping strategies, build emotional resilience, and work toward a sense of well-being and hope.

  • Credentials: Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)

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Psychodynamic therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness based therapy are all effective approaches offered at Madison Square in New York City, offering distinct methods to address the root causes and symptoms of depression.

Psychodynamic (or insight-oriented) therapy explores how your past experiences, especially unresolved conflicts and past trauma, can impact your present emotions and behaviors. Your therapist will help you gain insight into your thought patterns and emotional responses, fostering self-awareness and understanding. This therapy can be incredibly helpful in unveiling underlying issues contributing to the depressive feelings. This type of treatment also focuses on the therapeutic relationship, offering you a supportive and safe environment where you feel heard. This treatment can help you develop healthier ways of relating to yourself and others, ultimately aiding in the alleviation of your depressive symptoms and improving mental health.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy concentrates on the present and focuses on identifying negative thought patterns, feelings, and behaviors that contribute to depression. Through CBT, you’ll learn to recognize and challenge negative automatic thoughts, replacing them with more balanced ones. You'll gain a better understanding of new tools and work on improving communication skills you may already have. Your therapist will help guide you to developing coping strategies to better manage distressing emotions effectively. By changing thought patterns and engaging in more positive behaviors, you’ll be able to experience improved mood and a greater sense of control over your emotions.

Mindfulness-based therapy can also be incredibly beneficial for managing your depression. This type of treatment focuses on learning to be present in the moment without judgment. By practicing mindfulness, you'll become skilled at recognizing your thoughts and feelings as they come up, helping you to be aware of how they are separate from who "you" are. As you develop this skill, you'll find yourself better equipped to handle life's ups and downs with greater resilience and inner peace.

While separately or in conjunction, psychodynamic therapy helps uncover and address deeper emotional wounds, while CBT provides practical tools and skills to manage present symptoms. Along with mindfulness techniques, these approaches can help with fighting depression and help you to better manage negative thoughts. With the help of the right therapist and the right therapeutic methods, you can be freed of many of the common symptoms of depression you may be experiencing.

how WE can help

Therapy for depression can help

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We want you to know:

You don’t have to navigate this alone.

If you're looking for depression therapy NYC, reach out today to get started. Whether you're experiencing Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD), Postpartum Depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), or Bipolar Disorder, our depression therapists NYC can help. Let’s work together to help you effectively battle depression symptoms and get you back to feeling like you again.

imagine if you…

Felt lighter and less bogged down

✓

Depression can make day-to-day life feel daunting and heavy. Negative emotions, hopeless feelings, and low self-esteem can be overwhelming. Depression therapy can help you regulate your mood so that life doesn’t feel as hard.

Had effective coping skills

✓

When you’re depressed, it can be hard to know where to even start to feel better. You and your therapist will develop specific strategies you can use to help improve your mood and deal with the symptoms of depression you’re experiencing.

Felt connected again

✓

Feeling far away from friends, family, and even the old you? Therapy can provide support you need to help you make positive changes to reengage and feel re-energized about the things that matter to you.

faqs

Common questions about therapy for depression

  • Although psychotherapy alone can often reduce depression, the combination of depression therapy and medication (usually prescribed by a psychiatrist) also helps many of those suffering from these mood disorders. 

    With that said, not everyone needs medication depression. The decision to start medication is a highly personal one and there is no one-size-fits-all. 

    We strongly believe in empowering clients to make the decisions that feel best for their health. To that end, therapists at Madison Square are happy to consult with any psychiatrist or other medical provider you might be seeing to coordinate care. On the other hand, we also respect client’s autonomy in making their own medical decisions. We believe it's your decision as to how you want to treat any mental health condition and what will help you to live a healthier life. Wherever you are on your journey with medication (or lack there of), we’re happy to meet you there.

  • Therapy is a collaborative process, where you and your depression therapist will work together to identify specific concerns and develop skills and techniques for coping with these symptoms. You and your therapist may also look at your past to identify patterns where a major depressive episode may have come up before and how these patterns may be continuing to pop up. 

  • The amount of time it takes when treating depression can vary depending on the your specific needs and the severity of your symptoms. Some clients may experience significant improvement very quickly, while others may require months of ongoing therapy and support. There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment plan and at Madison Square, your depression therapist work collaboratively with you to ensure you're getting care that feels right for you.

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Ready to get started?

You deserve to feel better.