Warm therapy office in Manhattan, a supportive space for working through depression

THERAPY IN NEW YORK FOR

Depression

I work with people experiencing depression in various forms. Some describe it as a persistent sadness or emptiness; others as loss of motivation, low energy, or a numbness that feels hard to shake. For some, depression is episodic, coming and going. For others, it colors much of daily life. Often, it can be manageable on the surface while feeling heavy internally. Over time, depression can affect work, relationships, and overall well-being.

You don’t need to be in crisis to begin therapy. Therapy offers a space to slow down and understand what’s beneath the surface—even if you’re not yet sure what exactly needs to change. It can be an opportunity to explore what might be possible.

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Common concerns I help with:

  • Ongoing sadness or feeling empty

  • Difficulty finding joy or interest in daily activities

  • Feeling drained or lacking energy

  • Finding it hard to focus or make decisions

  • Guilt, self-blame, or feelings of worthlessness

  • Pulling away from others or avoiding social situations

  • Feeling “flat” or emotionally numb

Therapist Emily Siegel, treating depression with psychodynamic therapy in New York

A THOUGHTFUL, INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH

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I tailor therapy to the needs of each individual. We take time to understand your depression, including present-day challenges and deeper emotional patterns. Our work together focuses not only on relieving symptoms but also on exploring the underlying dynamics that contribute to depression and maintain it over time.

Over time, this process can bring relief, clarity, and renewed engagement with life. As we better understand your experience, it often becomes easier to navigate daily life with more steadiness.

My style is non-judgmental, engaged, and steady, with a focus on long-lasting, meaningful change. We will speak openly about how the process is going along the way. I draw from a broad range of therapeutic methods—including psychodynamic, psychoanalytic, cognitive-behavioral, and mindfulness-based work—which I incorporate based on your needs. Therapy with me is collaborative and results-oriented.

If you’re considering therapy for depression, I invite you to reach out for a free consultation. It’s an opportunity to ask questions, get a sense of working together, and decide whether it feels like the right fit. There’s no obligation to commit—sometimes a single conversation can clarify your next steps.

Bird flying, symbolic of the change achieved in therapy for depression

WHAT TO EXPECT IN THERAPY FOR DEPRESSION?

Therapy begins with an opportunity for us to get to know each other and clarify your reasons for seeking support. In the early sessions, we’ll focus on understanding your experience and how I can best assist you. Together, we will explore the patterns underlying your depression and what feels most meaningful to you.

Sessions are 45 minutes long and are held once a week. I offer a three-session consultation period at the start, which gives you a chance to see if working together feels like the right fit. At the end of this period, I provide feedback on the work we’ve begun and share my thoughts on how therapy might proceed moving forward.

The pace and focus of therapy are tailored to your needs, with an emphasis on creating a steady and supportive environment. Many people find that over time, therapy brings greater clarity, relief, and ease in managing depression.

Unsure about starting therapy?

It’s not unusual to have questions about whether therapy is the right fit. You may feel unsure about whether or not your depression warrants treatment, or uncertain about what the process will involve. You don’t need to have a clear goal before starting—figuring that out can be part of our work together.

Some people have been in therapy before but felt it stayed on the surface. Others are concerned that slowing down to look at things more closely will be uncomfortable or too much. We can discuss these concerns openly and move at a pace that feels manageable.

FAQ’s

  • Many people have had mixed or limited experiences with therapy in the past. Sometimes the approach wasn’t the right fit, or the work didn’t go as deep as it needed to. If you’re considering starting again, we can talk openly about what felt helpful or unhelpful in previous work and what you’re hoping will feel different this time.

  • You don’t need to be in crisis for therapy to be useful. Some people seek therapy because they feel overwhelmed; others come in simply wanting more clarity and space to think.

  • That’s okay. Many people begin therapy without a clear goal. Making sense of what’s going on and what you want from the process can be something we figure out together over time.

  • It’s not uncommon to worry that slowing down to look more closely at your experience will be destabilizing. In our work together, we’ll move at a pace that feels tolerable. You won’t be pushed to go further than you’re ready to, and we’ll speak openly about how the process is feeling as we go.

  • Skepticism is understandable, especially if you’ve lived with anxiety for a long time or tried different ways to manage it. Therapy isn’t a quick fix, but it can create the conditions for meaningful change—especially when the focus includes both present symptoms and underlying patterns.

  • It’s common to feel uncertain about whether what you’re experiencing qualifies as depression. You don’t need a formal diagnosis to seek support. Therapy can help clarify what you’re feeling and why, whether it’s depression or another challenge. The goal is to understand your experience and find ways to improve your well-being, regardless of labels.