Depression Therapy for Women
Because Women's Depression Looks Different
You're functioning perfectly on the outside—working, caring for everyone, keeping it together. But inside, you're drowning. Women's depression often hides behind productivity, caretaking, and forced smiles.
It's time for support that sees through the mask.
Why Women's Depression Gets Missed
Depression is about 1.5 times more common among women than among men, yet it's often undiagnosed because:
- • We're taught to push through
- • Our symptoms don't match textbook depression
- • We're "too functional" to be depressed
- • It's dismissed as hormones or stress
- • We hide it to protect others
Your depression might look like:
- • Exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix
- • Going through motions without feeling
- • Irritability more than sadness
- • Physical symptoms (headaches, pain)
- • Perfectionism masking emptiness
- • Caretaking everyone but yourself
Understanding Your Experience
Major Depressive Disorder
Episodes of persistent sadness, emptiness, and loss of interest lasting weeks or months
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Lower-grade depression lasting years—you can't remember feeling "normal"
High-Functioning Depression
Meeting all obligations while dying inside—the exhausting performance of being "fine"
Hormonal Depression
- • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- • Postpartum depression
- • Perimenopausal depression
- • Post-loss hormonal crashes
Situational Depression
Response to life events—divorce, job loss, caregiving, trauma
Seasonal Depression (SAD)
Winter depression in Chicago is real and treatable
What Makes Our Depression Different
The Mental Load
- • Managing everyone's schedules
- • Emotional labor for whole family
- • Anticipating everyone's needs
- • Decision fatigue from constant choices
- • No mental rest, ever
Caregiver Burnout
- • Kids, parents, partner, everyone
- • Your needs always last
- • Guilt when prioritizing yourself
- • Identity lost in caring for others
Perfectionism Prison
- • Never good enough
- • Imposter syndrome
- • Comparison trap
- • Fear of being "found out"
Societal Pressure
- • "Having it all" exhaustion
- • Body image torment
- • Age-related invisibility
- • Workplace discrimination
Depression Treatment That Actually Helps
Understanding Your Depression
- • Identifying unique triggers
- • Recognizing your patterns
- • Validating your experience
- • Exploring contributing factors
Immediate Relief
- • Behavioral activation that's realistic
- • Energy management strategies
- • Sleep optimization
- • Crisis planning if needed
Cognitive Work
- • Challenging self-criticism
- • Reframing negative thoughts
- • Building self-compassion
- • Addressing perfectionism
Deeper Healing
- • Processing underlying grief
- • Healing old wounds
- • EMDR for trauma-related depression
- • Identity exploration
Why Treatment Matters Now
Without Treatment:
- • Depression often worsens
- • Physical health impacts
- • Relationships deteriorate
- • Work performance suffers
- • Risk of anxiety developing
- • Missing your life
With Treatment:
- • Symptoms improve
- • Energy returns
- • Relationships heal
- • Rediscover joy
- • Build resilience
- • Actually live, not just survive
Real Talk About Depression
"Is this depression or just life as a woman?"
If you're asking, it's worth exploring. Constant exhaustion and emptiness aren't normal, even for busy women.
"Will I have to take medication?"
Not necessarily. Many women improve with therapy alone. If medication would help, we'll discuss options without pressure.
"How long will treatment take?"
Most see improvement within 6-8 sessions. Full recovery varies. We go at your pace.
"What if I can't even get to therapy?"
Virtual sessions available. Come as you are—pajamas welcome. We understand depression makes everything harder.
You Deserve to Feel Better
Depression tells you nothing will help, you don't deserve support, and this is just how life is. Depression lies. With specialized treatment for women's unique experiences, you can feel like yourself again—maybe for the first time.
We have openings this week
📍 Bucktown office
💻 Virtual throughout Illinois
✉️ katherine@kmhcounseling.com
Serving women throughout Chicago including Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, and Logan Square. You don't have to do this alone.