Depression Therapy | New York and Florida - Holding Space Mental Health Counseling

Living in the fog...

Where everything probably feels heavy

Getting out of bed requires monumental effort. Things that used to bring you joy now feel empty and pointless. You're going through the motions of living, but it doesn't feel like you're actually alive.

People tell you to "think positive" or "just try harder," but they don't understand that depression isn't a choice or a weakness. It's like trying to see color when the world has turned gray.

You remember feeling different before this, and somewhere deep down, you believe you can feel that way again—even when hope feels impossible to access.

Even in the deepest fog, there are moments, brief flickers of connection, beauty, or meaning that remind you there's still light waiting to break through.

Types of Depression I Work With

Major Depressive Disorder

When sadness isn't just sadness anymore—it's a persistent cloud that affects every aspect of your life, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A chronic, low-grade depression that's been your companion for years. You function, but joy feels elusive and life lacks its former vibrancy.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

When the changing seasons trigger depressive episodes, leaving you feeling depleted and disconnected during certain times of year.

Depression with Anxiety

When depression and anxiety co-occur, creating a cycle of worry about the future and despair about the present.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

When you've tried multiple approaches but depression persists. We explore new therapeutic angles and integrate different modalities for breakthrough healing.

Person in a beige sweater sits at a table with a silver Apple laptop and iced coffee, reflecting on Holding Space Mental Health Counseling, serving NY and FL.

How depression healing works

Depression isn't just "in your head." It affects your entire system

We work holistically, addressing not just symptoms but the underlying patterns, relationships, and life circumstances that contribute to your depression.

Healing isn't about forcing positivity or "snapping out of it." It's about gradually reconnecting with yourself, rebuilding your capacity for pleasure and meaning, and developing sustainable ways to navigate life's challenges.

We move at your pace, honoring both your need for change and your need for gentleness during this vulnerable time.

Treatment Approaches I Use

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Helps identify and gently challenge the negative thought patterns that fuel depression.

We work together to recognize when depression is distorting your thinking and develop more balanced, compassionate ways of relating to yourself and your experiences.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Combines practical skills for managing intense emotions with mindfulness practices.

Particularly effective when depression involves emotional overwhelm, self-harm thoughts, or difficulty regulating mood swings.

Mindfulness techniques

Depression often pulls us into rumination about the past or despair about the future.

Mindfulness helps you reconnect with the present moment and develop a gentler relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions.

Family/couples therapy

Depression affects relationships, and relationships can impact depression.

We work together to improve communication about your needs, help loved ones understand how to support you, and address relationship patterns that may contribute to depressive symptoms.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

When depression stems from past trauma, losses, or painful life experiences, EMDR can help process these memories so they feel less overwhelming and don't continue to fuel current depressive episodes.

reach out today

Hi there, I'm Danielle Widmann

Founder of Holding Space Mental Health Counseling

Depression can make you feel like a burden, like you're "too much" or "not enough."

As someone who specializes in depression therapy, I understand that depression isn't a character flaw or personal failing—it's a complex condition that deserves compassionate, skilled treatment.

My approach isn't about toxic positivity or rushing you toward feeling "better." Instead, we work together to understand what your depression might be trying to communicate and slowly rebuild your connection to meaning, purpose, and joy.

I believe in your inherent worth, especially when you can't see it yourself.

LMHC
Masters Degree in Mental Health Counseling from Baruch College
EMDR trained
I have extensive training post grad from private practices and ED residential centers where I was trained in psychodynamic, relational, and CBT therapy.
I have training and experience working in all levels of care when it comes to treating eating disorders.

Therapist in the city walking to show welcoming and being warm and inviting- Holding Space Mental Health Counseling, NY and FL.

Building your depression support network

Depression recovery works best with multiple forms of support. I collaborate with:

Medical providers

Primary care doctors and psychiatrists who can assess for medical causes and medication options

Dietitians

Professionals who understand the gut-brain connection and how nutrition impacts mood

Movement therapists

Yoga instructors, personal trainers, or other body-based practitioners who understand depression's physical impacts

Psychiatrists

if medication support is helpful

Support groups

Connecting you with others who understand the experience of depression

Your loved ones

when appropriate and desired

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. Some common symptoms may include:

Emotional Symptoms

Persistent Sadness: Feeling sad, empty, or hopeless.
Loss of Interest: Diminished interest or pleasure in most activities, including those once enjoyed.
Irritability: Increased frustration or anger, even over small matters.
Feelings of Guilt or Worthlessness: Harsh self-criticism and feelings of inadequacy.

Cognitive Symptoms

Difficulty Concentrating: Trouble focusing, making decisions, or remembering details.
Negative Thinking: Pervasive pessimism and a tendency to focus on negative aspects of life.
Suicidal Thoughts: Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, or a desire to escape life

Physical Symptoms

Changes in Sleep: Insomnia, early morning awakening, or sleeping too much (hypersomnia).
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or lack of energy, even after adequate rest.
Changes in Appetite or Weight: Significant weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite (eating too little or too much).
Physical Aches and Pains: Unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, or chronic pain.

Behavioral Symptoms

Withdrawal: Isolating oneself from friends, family, and social activities.
Decreased Motivation: Reduced ability to engage in daily tasks or fulfill responsibilities.
Neglecting Self-Care: Lack of attention to personal hygiene or health.

Investment in your healing

I'm out-of-network with insurance but provide support for reimbursement.
Many clients receive 60-80% back from their insurance after meeting their deductible.

Limited sliding scale spots available.

Initial Intake Session

(60 minutes)

$250

Follow up Session

(45 minutes)

$200

Frequently asked questions

No, I am fully OON. I use a third party to help with smooth reimbursement from your insurance company. In my experience clients can receive up to 60-80% of session fee after meeting deductible. For more information on this process client here https://www.thrizer.com/help-center/checking-benefits

I also provide a superbill at the end of each month to submit to you insurance company. This is something that can be discussed in initial consultation call.

My current fee for 45- minute individual therapy is $200. I do offer a limited number of sliding scale spots

Holding Space MHC is fully virtual from the state of New York and Florida using a secure HIPAA platform.

I understand that life can be unpredictable, and sometimes things come up that are out of your control. If you’re unable to attend your scheduled session, cancellation is required at least 24 hours’ prior to your scheduled appointment.

Cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments without notice, will be charged the full session fee. That said, I also recognize that unexpected things happen, so I offer one late cancellation or no-show at no charge as a courtesy. After that, the standard policy applies.

Frequency of sessions is determined through each individuals persons therapeutic needs, this will be discussed in the initial intake session. I typically meet with clients once a week and all individual therapy sessions are 45 minutes.