If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide or feel you are in immediate danger, please call 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.

Depression can make everything feel harder—from getting out of bed to connecting with people you care about. At Kendall Psychological Associates, our doctoral-level psychologists provide personalized, evidence-based depression therapy to help you rediscover hope, energy, and meaning.

We offer in-person therapy at our offices in Cambridge (Kendall Square) and Salem, as well as secure virtual appointments for clients located anywhere.


Recognizing Depression

Depression is more than sadness or a bad week. It’s a medical and psychological condition that affects how you think, feel, and function. You may be experiencing depression if you notice:

  • Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness lasting weeks

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed

  • Significant changes in appetite or weight

  • Sleep problems—sleeping too much or too little

  • Ongoing fatigue or low energy

  • Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering

  • Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-criticism

  • Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches or body aches

  • Thoughts of death or suicide

If these experiences feel familiar, professional support can make a meaningful difference.


Types of Depression We Treat

Our psychologists have advanced training in treating the full spectrum of depressive disorders, including:

Major Depressive Disorder
Intense symptoms that interfere with work, relationships, and daily functioning.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)
A longer-term, chronic form of depression that can quietly affect quality of life.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Depression that follows a seasonal pattern, often during fall and winter.

Postpartum and Perinatal Depression
Depression related to pregnancy or childbirth that requires specialized understanding and care.

We also help with depression connected to grief and loss, relationship difficulties, trauma, life transitions, chronic illness, and major stress.



Our Evidence-Based Approach to Therapy for Depression

We tailor treatment to your needs, drawing from therapies that research has shown to be effective, including but not limited to:

  • Identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors that maintain depression. CBT offers practical tools for building healthier perspectives and habits.

  • Depression often leads to withdrawal and inactivity. We help you gradually re-engage with meaningful activities that support improved mood and motivation.

  • Explore the deeper emotional experiences and life patterns that contribute to depression. This approach helps you understand yourself more fully and create lasting emotional change.

  • Combine mindfulness skills with cognitive therapy techniques to reduce rumination and prevent relapse.

  • Build a meaningful, values-driven life even when difficult emotions are present.

Your therapist will collaborate with you to create an individualized plan. Many clients benefit from an integrated approach that blends practical skills with deeper emotional exploration.


What Treatment for Depression is Like

 
 

1

Comprehensive Evaluation
We begin by understanding your symptoms, history, and current life circumstances in order to design a treatment plan that fits you, and making sure the fit with your therapist is a good one.

 
 

2

Collaborative Goal Setting
Therapy is a partnership. Together we clarify goals and create a path forward.

 
 

3

Practical Strategies for Daily Life
You’ll learn concrete tools—such as activity scheduling, cognitive skills, problem-solving techniques, and self-care strategies—to help manage symptoms day to day.

 
 

4

Addressing Root Causes
While providing immediate support, we also explore underlying experiences and patterns that may be contributing to your depression.

 
 

5

Tracking Progress
We regularly check in on what’s improving and adjust treatment as needed.

 
 

6

Relapse Prevention
As you begin to feel better, we focus on building resilience and recognizing early warning signs to help you maintain progress long-term.

 

Combining Therapy with Other Treatments

For moderate to severe depression, research shows that therapy and medication together often provide the strongest results. If medication might be helpful, we can help connect you with our trusted psychiatric providers.

We also fully support clients who prefer to begin with therapy alone.

Who Benefits Most From Our Depression Treatment?

Depression therapy at Kendall Psychological Associates is a good fit if you:

  • Feel stuck in sadness, numbness, or hopelessness

  • Have lost motivation or interest in life

  • Struggle with negative or self-critical thinking

  • Prefer therapy as a first-line treatment

  • Have experienced depression before and want to prevent it from returning

  • Are seeking care from highly trained doctoral-level psychologists


Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy for Depression

  • Many clients begin to feel improvement within the first 6–10 weeks. The total length of treatment depends on your goals and the severity of symptoms.

  • Yes. Extensive research shows that psychotherapy is highly effective for treating depression and preventing relapse.

  • Not always. Many people improve with therapy alone. Others benefit from a combination of therapy and medication. We can help you decide what makes sense for you.

  • Your therapist will get to know you, understand your concerns, and work with you to develop a clear, personalized plan. One of the important goals of the first few sessions is to make sure the fit with the therapist feels right.

  • Yes. Everything discussed in therapy is private and protected. We review confidentiality in detail at your first appointment.


Convenient Locations Near You

With two locations in Massachusetts, Kendall Psychological Associates is proud to offer therapy to those seeking guidance across Greater Boston and the North Shore. Virtual appointments are also available, allowing further accessibility wherever you are.

234 Broadway, Suite 2
Cambridge, MA 02139

  • Easy access via the Red Line (Kendall/MIT)
  • Serving Cambridge, Somerville, Boston, and surrounding communities
  • Therapy services available for adults 18 and up

10 Federal Street, Suite 307
Salem, MA 01970

  • Directly across from the train station in downtown Salem
  • Serving Beverly, Peabody, Marblehead, Lynn, and beyond
  • Therapy services available for children, adolescents, and adults age 8 and up
 

You don’t have to face depression alone.

Depression is treatable, and you deserve compassionate, professional support. Our psychologists have helped hundreds of clients find relief, regain energy, and rebuild fulfilling lives.