Depression Therapy in Tinton Falls, NJ

What depression can look like

Everyone feels sad or low sometimes, and those feelings usually pass with a little time.¹ Depression lasts longer and reaches into daily life. It can change how you feel, think, sleep, and eat. People describe it in different ways, and no two people have the same experience of it. That is why there is no single treatment that fits everyone.¹

• Mood

  Persistent sadness, an empty feeling, hopelessness, or irritability and restlessness.¹

• Energy and motivation

  Less energy, fatigue, or feeling slowed down, and little drive to start things that used to feel easy.¹

• Thoughts and focus

  Trouble concentrating, feelings of guilt or worthlessness, and being hard on yourself.¹

• Body

  Changes in sleep or appetite, or weight changes you did not plan.¹

Depression affects the body as well as the mind. Sleep, appetite, and energy often change, and many people feel numb or disconnected from the people and activities around them.

Depression or a hard stretch

Most people go through rough periods after a loss, a move, or a long run of stress. Those periods usually ease with time. Depression differs in how long it lasts and how much it affects daily life.

Major depression involves several persistent symptoms. They are present nearly every day, for most of the day, for at least two weeks, and they interfere with daily life.¹ Diagnosis comes from a licensed professional. Thoughts of death or suicide can be part of depression. If you have them, call or text 988 right away.^1,5 A few symptoms that cause real distress can also be worth treating, so you do not have to wait until you meet every criterion.¹

About 21 million U.S. adults, and an estimated 5.0 million adolescents ages 12 to 17, had at least one major depressive episode in 2021.² Among those with severe impairment, an estimated 74.8% of adults and 44.2% of adolescents received treatment that year.²

Other forms of depression

Depression takes more than one form. Persistent depressive disorder, also called dysthymia, is a depressed mood that lasts at least two years. Seasonal affective disorder is depression that follows a seasonal pattern.¹

Depression in teens

In teens, depression can show up as irritability more than sadness.¹ Lindsey’s profile lists teens among the people she sees. Lindsey’s practice speaks with parents with the teen’s consent, and the goal is to protect the teen’s confidentiality.

When anxiety and depression overlap

Anxiety and depression can overlap, and you do not have to pick one to begin. When both are present, Lindsey’s practice offers anxiety therapy alongside depression therapy. The anxiety therapy page explains how that work looks.

How therapy for depression works

Psychotherapy teaches new ways of thinking and behaving and helps change the habits that may be feeding depression.¹ Lindsey’s practice takes a mind-body approach, because depression often lives in the body and nervous system as well as in thoughts. Your plan is shaped around what you are dealing with and what you want to change. Whatever you are experiencing, you can bring it to a first conversation.

Lindsey’s practice also describes its work as neuroscience-informed.

What the research says

The VA and Department of Defense updated their guideline for major depression in 2022.³ For uncomplicated major depression, it recommends treatment with either psychotherapy or medication on its own, based on the person’s preference. It suggests several psychotherapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy, behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The guideline does not rank one psychotherapy above another.^3,4

After symptoms ease, cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, or mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can reduce the risk of relapse.^3,4

The guideline names CBT and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.³ Lindsey’s practice offers CBT and mindfulness-based approaches, along with DBT, Compassion-Focused Therapy, somatic work, EMDR, and Brainspotting, which the guideline does not list.³

The National Institute of Mental Health notes that depression treatment typically involves medication, psychotherapy, or both, and that milder cases may begin with psychotherapy alone. Antidepressants usually take 4 to 8 weeks to work, and sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood does.¹ Questions about medication are best taken to your physician or a psychiatric prescriber. The VA and DoD guideline also lists self-help options for some people, including exercise and bright light therapy.³ Ask your physician what fits you.

Working with Lindsey Capelli

Lindsey Capelli, LPC, NCC, SAC, leads the practice. Mood and personality disorders are among the areas of focus on her profile, along with anxiety and complex trauma.

She sees teens and adults, in person and virtually, in the daytime and evening.

“Clients may feel disconnected from themselves, low in energy, or like they’re going through the motions without feeling much joy or purpose. We work on both practical ways to reconnect with daily life and the emotional experiences that may be keeping them stuck, using CBT, self-compassion, mindfulness, and Brainspotting or EMDR when appropriate.”

Learn more about Lindsey

Getting started

If you are worried about someone else

Depression can make it hard for a person to ask for help. You can say what you have noticed, ask how they are doing, and listen without trying to fix it. Offer to find a therapist together, and to be there while they make the first call. If you are worried about their safety, call 911 or 988 right away.⁵

Questions about depression therapy