Depression Therapy in Ottawa

Everyone has low periods, but depression is more persistent and more pervasive. If low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, or hopelessness have lasted most of the day, most days, for two weeks or more — and they're affecting your sleep, appetite, work, or relationships — it's worth talking to someone. You don't have to be certain it's depression to reach out; that's part of what a first conversation helps clarify.

No. You don't need a formal diagnosis to begin. We start with how you're actually feeling and functioning, not a label. If a diagnosis becomes useful — for insurance, medication, or your own understanding — we can talk about that, but it's not a requirement to get support.

Several approaches have strong evidence for depression, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and behavioural activation, which help interrupt the withdrawal-and-self-criticism cycle that keeps depression going. Where depression is connected to grief, relationships, or self-worth, more relational or emotion-focused work can help. Your therapist tailors the approach to you rather than applying a single formula.

Therapy and medication both help with depression, and for many people a combination works best — but that's a decision for you and a physician, and it's not something therapy requires. We don't prescribe medication. If you'd like to explore it, we can coordinate with your family doctor or a psychiatrist. Many people do well with therapy alone; others find medication helps them get to a place where therapy can take hold.

It varies. Some people notice meaningful shifts within a few months of regular sessions, particularly with focused approaches like CBT; others, especially with long-standing or recurring depression, benefit from longer-term work. We'll give you an honest sense of what to expect once we understand your situation, and we check in on progress along the way.

This is one of the hardest parts of depression — the very thing that would help can feel impossible to start. You don't need to arrive motivated or energized. Virtual sessions mean you can meet from home on the days leaving feels like too much, and part of the work itself is gently rebuilding momentum. Reaching out once is often the hardest step; we try to make everything after that as easy as possible.

Sessions are 50 minutes and typically range from $150 to $225 depending on the therapist, confirmed during your free consultation. OHIP generally doesn't cover psychotherapy with Registered Psychotherapists or Social Workers, but most extended health plans do. Auren offers direct billing to many insurers and provides receipts for reimbursement, and sliding-scale spots are available case-by-case based on need.

Yes. Online depression therapy works well for many people and uses a secure, PIPEDA-compliant video platform. For depression specifically, virtual sessions remove a real barrier — you can attend from home on low-energy days. You can also switch between in-person at our Ottawa office and online as it suits you.

Very common — anxiety and depression frequently occur together, and they often feed each other. We work with the full picture rather than treating one in isolation, and the same sessions can address both. If you're navigating both, our anxiety therapy and depression work are closely connected.

If you're having thoughts of suicide or of not wanting to be here, please reach out to immediate support right now: call or text 9-8-8, the Suicide Crisis Helpline, available 24/7 across Canada, or the Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region at 613-238-3311. If you're in immediate danger, call 9-1-1. Therapy is an important part of recovery, but in an acute crisis these services can help you right now. When you're ready, we're here for the ongoing work.