Sometimes life feels heavy and hard. You’ve been going through the motions—working, parenting, trying to keep up with all the responsibilities—but something inside feels off. Tasks that used to feel simple now take more energy.
Emotions sit closer to the surface. You might find yourself wondering whether you’re doing life “right” or wondering “What’s the point?”
The sadness has been creeping in.
For many people, this kind of heaviness doesn’t arrive all at once. It’s more of a gradual fog setting in. It dulls joy, slows motivation, and makes it harder to feel connected to yourself or the people you love. You look mostly okay on the outside, while internally you’re carrying a weight that no one else can see.
You’re questioning everything and feeling overwhelmed. Depression can look like sadness, but it can also look like exhaustion, irritability, emotional numbness, or a sense of being stuck in a life that no longer feels like yours.
Depression often shows up as a sense of inadequacy. You compare yourself to others, feeling like you should be happier. You struggle to keep up with the basics of home and life.
You’re pulled in multiple directions between caring for children or aging parents, managing work stress, questioning your relationships, and confronting old patterns that suddenly feel harder to ignore.
You’ve noticed you feel sad more often and that things that never used to bother you now feel overwhelming. You may find yourself crying unexpectedly, having trouble sleeping, or feeling unusually emotional in ways you can’t quite make sense of.
Depression can also make it difficult to know where to start. You might know there are changes you want to make, maybe even changes you’ve been thinking about for years, but the motivation just isn’t there. And the more stuck you feel, the harder it becomes to imagine a different version of your life.
It’s not because you’re doing something wrong. It’s simply that you’re human, life is hard and you’re not meant to carry it all alone.
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Most people have chapters from their past that they’ve tried to play down or move beyond. Often these experiences shaped them in ways they didn’t fully notice at the time.
Sometimes those old stories begin resurfacing during periods of stress or transition, pulling you back into habits or self-doubt that don’t reflect who you are now.
You may be noticing old insecurities, low confidence, or patterns in relationships that keep you feeling unseen or disconnected.
Many thoughtful, self-aware people come to therapy because they sense that something from their history is still influencing the present, even if they can’t quite put their finger on how.
Therapy can offer a space to explore those connections without getting lost in them. It’s not about dwelling on the past. It’s about freeing yourself from its grip on the present.
Depression can place strain on even the strongest relationships. You might feel unsatisfied with the quality of your connection or unsure how to express what you’re feeling. Boundaries with family, friends, or partners may feel confusing. Parenting might feel more demanding than you expected. It’s hard to care for everyone else while also trying to care for yourself.
You’re with people but you feel alone.
Being depressed can make you feel isolated and alone, even when surrounded by others. Ironically, when people are depressed they tend to isolate further exacerbating the problem. You may be wanting closeness and support but feeling unequipped to reach out for it. You don’t want to burden anyone.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not the only one. But maybe it’s time to break the cycle of isolation and reach out for help.
You don’t have to carry all this heaviness alone. Life can feel lighter. I’m here to help.
For many people, depression looks less like sadness and more like being stuck between who they are and who they want to be. You may have a clear vision of the life you want: more joy, more ease, more confidence, more connection. You may want to understand yourself better, to find direction, or simply to feel like yourself again.
What’s often missing isn’t knowing what you want, it’s figuring out how to get there.
Therapy can help you understand what’s getting in the way of change, why old habits feel so persistent, and how to move forward in ways that feel manageable rather than overwhelming. It’s a place to explore questions about career, relationships, purpose, and identity without needing to pretend everything is fine.
And sometimes, therapy is simply a place to not feel so alone with everything you’re carrying.
Therapy can help you slow down, notice what’s happening internally, and understand the patterns that are shaping your life.
In our work together, we might:
Therapy isn’t about forcing change—it’s about creating the space where change becomes possible.
Many of my clients eventually begin to:
And perhaps just as importantly, they start feeling less alone.
You don’t have to believe change is possible before you begin. Feeling unsure is normal. Therapy can meet you exactly where you are.
If you’re ready to make an appointment you can go ahead and schedule here.
I’ll review your appointment request and if it looks like I can help, I’ll accept the appointment and look forward to meeting you.
Not sure yet or have questions? Feel free to email me or book a free 15 minute call and we’ll have a conversation about your needs and see if we might be a good fit.
We’ll meet for your first session either online or in-person in West Des Moines and begin getting to know each other.
We’ll talk about what’s been going on and what you’re hoping for.
The first appointment will give us the time and space to really discuss what your needs are and get a sense of whether we’d work well together.
Therapy with me is collaborative and flexible.
Go at your own pace, get unstuck and build a life you love.
