What is depression counseling at Foundations?
Depression counseling in Fort Collins, Loveland and Windsor at Foundations Counseling helps adults and teens with low mood, seasonal depression and high functioning depression feel like themselves again, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness. The first meeting is a free consultation, and most new clients are seen within 48 hours.
What is the best kind of therapy for high functioning depression?
High functioning depression is not a formal diagnosis. It is a plain language way to describe going to work, caring for family and checking every box while feeling flat, exhausted or empty underneath. Because nothing looks wrong from the outside, many people wait years to ask for help.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) notes that depression treatment typically involves psychotherapy, medication, or both, and names CBT as an established talk therapy. At Foundations, counselors often combine approaches:
- CBT: notices the harsh, perfectionist thoughts that keep you pushing and practices kinder, more accurate ones.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness: helps you stop fighting every feeling and reconnect with what matters to you.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS): explores the inner critic and the parts of you that feel they can never slow down.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills: practical tools for strong emotions and stress when your reserves are low.
How do I know if it is depression or just the winter blues?
Many people in Northern Colorado feel lower when the days get short. The winter blues usually pass and do not stop you from living your life. According to NIMH, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression with a recurring seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4 to 5 months of the year, and it changes how a person feels, thinks and behaves.
NIMH explains that a depression diagnosis means symptoms are present most of the day, nearly every day, for at least 2 weeks. Signs worth taking seriously include losing interest in things you usually enjoy, sleeping much more or less, pulling away from people, and feeling hopeless or worthless. If that sounds familiar, a free consultation is a low pressure way to find out.
What kind of counseling helps with seasonal depression?
NIMH describes a version of CBT adapted for SAD (CBT-SAD) that helps people challenge unhelpful thoughts and add rewarding activities during the darker months. Foundations counselors use CBT based tools for seasonal depression, such as planning your week around light, movement and people, and catching the thoughts that make winter feel endless. Light therapy and medication are options to discuss with your physician, and your counselor can work alongside that care.
What happens in the first sessions?
It starts when you reach out and share what is going on. We match you with a counselor who fits, and your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. In the first sessions, your counselor asks about your mood, sleep, energy, stress and history, checks on safety, and helps you set two or three goals. Many people also leave with one small, doable step for the week ahead.
Who will I work with?
Several Foundations counselors list depression as a specialty. You can meet them in the team section on this page, or tell us what you need when you reach out and we will match you with a counselor who fits. Your first meeting with that counselor is a free consultation. If the first match does not feel right, our Counselor Match Guarantee means we will find another counselor who is.
Sessions are in person at our offices in Fort Collins (Central), Fort Collins (Southeast), Loveland and Windsor, or through online counseling anywhere in Colorado.
When is counseling not enough on its own?
Counseling is not emergency care. If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7, or call 911. Foundations counselors do not prescribe or give advice about medication, so questions about antidepressants, light boxes or changing a dose belong with your physician or psychiatrist. If your lows alternate with periods of unusually high energy, ask about bipolar disorder therapy.
Ready to talk?
For ideas you can try now, read why you get depressed in the winter or gentle routines for low energy days. Questions about cost? See private pay vs insurance therapy. When you are ready, book a free consultation or call 970.227.2770.
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GUARANTEED COUNSELOR MATCH
Depression can make reaching out feel hard, so the fit matters. If your first counselor is not the right match, we will find another Foundations counselor who is, with a new free consultation. How the Counselor Match Guarantee works.
Learn MoreHOW WE WORK WITH DEPRESSION
Your counselor will look at your mood, sleep, energy and stress, then build a plan with you. Methods our counselors use for depression include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): changes the harsh thoughts and habits that keep low mood going.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and mindfulness: makes room for hard feelings and moves you toward what matters.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS): works with the inner critic behind high functioning depression.
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We understand that the journey to emotional well-being begins with connecting you to the right counselor. That's why we proudly offer our unique Counselor Match Guarantee. We don't just pair you with any counselor; we meticulously match you with someone who aligns with your specific needs, preferences, and goals for healing and growth. If the initial pairing needs to be corrected, we encourage you to explore our diverse and experienced team until you find the perfect fit.
Your comfort and progress are paramount, so we ensure you always have a supportive and confidential environment to pursue your journey of self-discovery and healing. Choose us as your trusted partner in this transformative experience—because your well-being deserves the utmost care.
Begin your journey today and take the first step towards a brighter, more fulfilling tomorrow. Let us guide you to emotional wellness with our dedicated and compassionate counseling services.
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