Therapy for Depression in Childhood & Adolescence

Does your child or teen seem less like themselves lately? Have you noticed them pulling away, losing interest, or carrying a quiet heaviness? Do their days seem harder than they used to be?

You may notice things like:

• “Nothing feels fun anymore.”

• Wanting to sleep more, or struggling to sleep at all

• Irritability, anger, or emotional shutdown

• Pulling away from friends, family, or activities

• Feeling worthless, hopeless, or like a burden

• Tearfulness, numbness, or a sense of emptiness

• A drop in motivation, school engagement, or energy

When experiences like these linger, they may be signs of depression. Depression in children and adolescents does not always look like sadness. It can show up as irritability, withdrawal, exhaustion, or a sense of disconnection from self and others.

At Little River Psychological Services, we understand that depression does not exist on its own. It is shaped by development, relationships, identity, stress, loss, and the environments young people are growing within. Many children and adolescents carry more than they have words for, especially when they feel pressure to “be okay” or not disappoint others.

Therapy offers a space where young people do not need to explain themselves clearly or know what they need right away. Healing happens slowly, through relationship, steadiness, and being met with understanding rather than urgency. Over time, therapy can help young people reconnect with themselves, make sense of what they are feeling, and begin to feel less alone with what they are carrying.

Caregiver involvement is approached with care and balance. Support for parents or guardians is part of the work, while also honoring the child or adolescent’s need for privacy, trust, and a space that feels their own.

If your child or adolescent feels weighed down, disconnected, or unlike themselves, we invite you to reach out to schedule a consultation.