Depression Therapy in Newton

Tasks that once felt simple now require tremendous effort. Perhaps you've lost interest in activities you used to enjoy. Maybe you feel disconnected from people around you. Newton Neuropsychology Group provides evidence-based depression therapy for children, adolescents, and adults throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.

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When Depression Makes Everything Feel Heavy

You might wake up already exhausted, dreading the day ahead. Perhaps you go through the motions at work or school without feeling engaged. Maybe you withdraw from friends and family because social interaction feels like more effort than you can manage.


Depression can create significant emotional burden:


  • You might feel guilty about not being able to "snap out of it" despite others' encouragement
  • You may experience hopelessness that things will never improve or that you'll always feel this way
  • You could feel disconnected from people and activities that used to bring joy
  • You might struggle with self-criticism about decreased productivity or inability to function as you once did



Our therapists use evidence-based approaches to help you understand depression patterns, build behavioral activation, and develop cognitive strategies that support meaningful improvement

Understanding Depressive Disorders

Depression involves persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, and changes in physical or cognitive functioning that interfere with daily life. It's more than temporary sadness, depression affects how you think, feel, and handle everyday activities. Major depressive disorder affects approximately 7% of adults and 3-4% of children and adolescents annually.


Depression can manifest in multiple ways:


  • Persistent sad, empty, or hopeless mood that doesn't lift
  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities previously enjoyed
  • Significant changes in appetite or weight
  • Sleep disturbances including insomnia or sleeping too much
  • Low energy or fatigue even with adequate rest


Cognitive and behavioral symptoms often accompany mood changes:


  • Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering information
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Restlessness or feeling slowed down physically
  • Withdrawing from social activities or responsibilities


Depression in children and adolescents may look different. Young people might appear irritable rather than sad, or develop physical complaints like headaches.


You can learn more about depression from the National Institute of Mental Health.

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Comprehensive Care Grounded in Evidence

Our therapists specialize in evidence-based treatments for depression that have been extensively researched and shown effective. We use structured approaches specifically designed to address depressive symptoms and build skills that support lasting improvement.



Many of our clients come after completing neuropsychological evaluations. When depression co-occurs with ADHD, learning disorders, or executive functioning challenges, integrated treatment addresses all concerns comprehensively.


We work with children, adolescents, and adults, recognizing that depression presents differently across developmental stages. Our practice offers both in-office sessions at our Newton location and telehealth throughout the greater Boston area.

What Effective Treatment Provides

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Improved Daily Functioning

Experience increased energy and motivation to engage in work, school, relationships, and self-care. Depression therapy helps you rebuild routines and participation in life.

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Cognitive Skill Development

Learn to identify and respond to negative thought patterns more effectively. These skills help prevent depressive spirals when difficult thoughts arise.

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Behavioral Activation Strategies

Develop structured approaches to gradually increase activities that provide meaning or pleasure. Movement and engagement often improve mood even when motivation feels absent.

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Better Stress Management

Build resilience to handle life challenges without spiraling into depression. Therapy provides tools to respond to difficulties more adaptively.

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Reduced Risk of Recurrence

Develop awareness of early depression warning signs and strategies to address them quickly. This proactive approach helps prevent future episodes.

Life Beyond Depression

Without effective treatment, depression often persists or worsens. Work or school performance may continue declining. Relationships can become strained when you withdraw or struggle to engage emotionally. Activities that once provided joy may fall away as everything feels like too much effort.



With evidence-based therapy, significant improvement becomes possible. You can experience increased energy and motivation. Tasks may feel more manageable as you develop strategies to combat negative thinking and behavioral withdrawal. Many clients describe reconnecting with people and activities they'd pulled away from, finding that life feels more meaningful again.

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Get Support for Depression Today

If depression affects your mood, energy, concentration, or daily functioning, therapy can help. We serve families throughout Newton and the greater Boston area with evidence-based depression treatment.


Our therapists use proven approaches including cognitive-behavioral therapy and behavioral activation. Both in-office and telehealth options are available.

How Depression Treatment Works

01

Comprehensive Assessment and Treatment Planning

We meet with you to understand your depression symptoms, when they began, what makes them better or worse, and how they affect your daily life. We assess depression severity and any co-occurring concerns. Together, we establish specific, achievable goals. For children and adolescents, parents participate in this initial session.

02

Active Skill Building and Behavioral Change

Therapy sessions focus on teaching evidence-based strategies while helping you make concrete behavioral changes. You'll learn cognitive techniques to identify negative thought patterns and develop more balanced perspectives. We'll create a behavioral activation plan, identifying activities that provide accomplishment or pleasure and scheduling them even when motivation is low. Between sessions, you'll track mood, complete structured assignments, and gradually increase engagement in meaningful activities.

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Relapse Prevention and Skill Consolidation

As depression improves and you've developed effective coping strategies, therapy shifts toward maintaining progress and preventing future episodes. We review which strategies worked best and create a wellness plan you can use if depression symptoms return.

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Approaches That Actually Work for Depression

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most extensively researched treatments for depression. CBT helps you identify negative thought patterns and examine evidence for and against these thoughts. You'll learn to recognize cognitive distortions and develop more balanced perspectives. This approach also addresses behavioral patterns, helping you gradually increase activities.

  • Behavioral Activation is a powerful intervention specifically targeting behavioral symptoms of depression. When you're depressed, you naturally withdraw from activities, which worsens mood by reducing opportunities for positive experiences. Behavioral activation involves systematically scheduling activities that provide accomplishment or pleasure, then completing them regardless of motivation. Research shows that action often precedes motivation.

  • Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) focuses on relationships and life transitions that contribute to depression. IPT helps you improve communication patterns, resolve interpersonal problems, and build supportive relationships.


We also incorporate problem-solving therapy to help you address life challenges more effectively. Breaking challenges into manageable pieces and developing action plans reduces feeling stuck.

Common Questions About Depression Treatment

  • How long does depression therapy take?

    Treatment length varies based on depression severity and your individual response. Some people experience significant improvement in 12-20 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term treatment. We'll discuss expected timeline during initial assessment.

  • Will I need medication for depression?

    Therapy and medication both effectively treat depression, and combining them often produces the best outcomes for moderate to severe depression. We can coordinate with your doctor to ensure integrated care.

  • What if I don't have energy to do therapy homework?

    Low energy and motivation are core symptoms of depression. We start with small, manageable assignments and gradually increase as your energy improves. Even brief activities can begin shifting depression patterns.

  • Can therapy help if depression has lasted for years?

    Yes. Even chronic depression can improve with evidence-based treatment. Many people with years of depression experience significant improvement in mood and functioning through therapy.

Start Your Path to Feeling Better

Depression can improve with the right support. Evidence-based therapy helps you develop practical skills to manage low mood, increase engagement in life, and build resilience against future episodes.