Depression Counseling – Atlanta 

You know you should be content or happy, but you just aren’t. You’re not sure why.

You may feel like a dark cloud has settled over your life. Each morning feels heavier than the last, and finding the motivation to get out of bed can feel nearly impossible. You look at others who seem joyful and connected, and wonder why it’s so hard for you to feel that way. Inside, your thoughts have turned critical—you might tell yourself you’re lazy, broken, or weak. You don’t want to feel this way, but you can’t seem to will yourself out of it. The more you try to force yourself to feel better, the more exhausted, anxious, and defeated you become. Our Atlanta depression counselors and therapists aren’t scared of depression. We have years of experience supporting clients who are working through the difficulty of it. 

Please hear this: You are not alone.

Depression is not a personal failure—it’s a complex emotional and physiological experience that can affect anyone. Many of our clients share similar struggles, and we want you to know that healing is possible. There may not be a magic switch, but there are effective tools, and compassionate support is available.

Our Atlanta Counselors use research backed Approaches to Treating Depression

At our Atlanta-based counseling practice in Buckhead, we tailor therapy to meet you exactly where you are. Healing from depression is not one-size-fits-all. We often utilize a blend of approaches to really support you in your individual need. Here are some of the approaches we use:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns, and behaviors that contribute to depression. Together, we explore how your thoughts impact your emotions and teach you how to reframe them. This evidence-based approach empowers you with practical tools to regain a sense of control and emotional balance.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
DBT blends acceptance and change strategies to help you manage overwhelming emotions and depressive symptoms. You’ll learn skills like mindfulness, emotional regulation, and distress tolerance to navigate difficult moments. This approach is particularly helpful if depression comes with intense self-criticism or relationship struggles.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
EMDR helps you process unresolved trauma or painful memories that may underlie your depression. Through guided bilateral stimulation, your brain reprocesses these memories so they lose their emotional intensity. It’s especially useful when depression is tied to past loss, neglect, or emotional pain.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a collaborative, non-judgmental approach that helps you explore what really matters to you when motivation is low. We work together to uncover your inner drive and gently move you toward change at your own pace. This method is especially helpful when you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to begin.

Reality Therapy
Reality Therapy focuses on the choices you can make to improve your life and emotional well-being. It helps you reconnect with your basic needs—like connection, purpose, and achievement—and find small ways to meet them. This practical, present-focused approach supports you in taking back control.

Internal Family Systems (IFS)
IFS helps you explore and understand the inner parts of yourself that may be contributing to depression—like the inner critic, the part that feels hopeless, or the one that wants to withdraw. Instead of pushing these parts away, we work to build compassion and connection within. This approach can ease the emotional burden of depression by healing the internal conflicts that often fuel it.

You Deserve Support That Truly Meets You Where You Are

Depression is not a reflection of your worth, and you do not have to go through this alone. Our team of experienced, compassionate therapists in Buckhead is here to walk beside you, every step of the way.

Reach out today. Let’s start where you are—and move toward where you want to be.

When feeling depressed people can often isolate, which can make depressive symptoms worse. Choose to take a step out of that today. Call an Atlanta depression counselor who can teach you about the symptoms of depression, and learn ways to combat them.

Difficult emotions can be tough to walk through, and you don’t have to face them alone. A Buckhead, Atlanta therapist can work with you to talk through your feelings, experience healing, and work towards living an emotionally healed life.

Many times someone who hasn’t walked through depression doesn’t know how to help. People mean well, but they can say the very thing you don’t want to hear. Or, they have the expectation that you simply move past it quickly. That’s not how true depression works. We take a different approach. We understand how taxing depression can be on your energy, emotions, well being, motivation, and life. We know that sometimes it’s not easy to “snap out of it.” We understand that depression can be so gripping that it paralyzes you or grips you so intensely that you can’t get the energy to take the next step.

Let’s work together in our Atlanta counseling office to help you develop an understanding the dynamics of your specific circumstances, and build the support and skills needed to continue moving forward in your life. Call today to find out more.

More about our Depression Counselors in Atlanta

Mikela Hallmark, MS, LPC, is a compassionate therapist and the founder of our counseling practice. With over a decade of experience, she specializes in helping high achievers navigate the pressures of perfectionism, anxiety, and depression. Her approach is rooted in empathy, combining evidence-based therapies such as EMDR, CBT, DBT, and Motivational Interviewing to support clients in releasing self-judgment and embracing vulnerability. Mikela’s background in business and leadership, along with her role as a Clinical Director, enriches her understanding of the unique challenges faced by professionals seeking balance and fulfillment. ​

Recognizing the importance of compassionate care, Mikela has curated a team of skilled counselors who share her commitment to client well-being. Each therapist is trained in trauma-informed and client-centered modalities, ensuring a holistic and personalized approach to treatment. Together, they provide a safe and supportive environment where clients can explore their emotions, heal from past wounds, and build meaningful connections. The practice’s collaborative atmosphere fosters growth and healing, empowering clients to lead more fulfilling lives. Read more about the Atlanta counseling team here.