Depression Therapy in Englewood with Dr. Susan Hollander, Ph.D

When Life Feels Heavy, Therapy Offers a Way Through

Some days, it’s hard just to get out of bed. Other days, you move through the motions — smiling when expected, saying the right things — but inside, there’s a weight you can’t shake. Maybe you’ve lost interest in things you used to enjoy. Maybe you feel disconnected from others, or from yourself.

Depression looks different for everyone, but for many, it carries the same undercurrent: hopelessness, exhaustion, and the quiet fear that nothing will ever really change.

Dr. Susan Hollander, Ph.D. offers depression therapy in Denver that’s warm, steady, and grounded in decades of clinical experience. She works with adults navigating both short-term and long-standing depression, including those who’ve tried therapy before and still feel stuck.

This isn’t about toxic positivity or quick fixes. It’s about understanding what’s been lost, what still hurts, and how to begin again — gently, at your own pace, and with support that truly meets you where you are.

Depression Doesn’t Always Look Like Depression

Depression doesn’t always arrive in a dramatic moment. Sometimes, it settles in quietly — after a loss, a major life change, or years of holding things together without enough support. You might be moving through the world just fine on the outside, while inside, things feel heavy, disconnected, or simply off.

Certain life experiences can increase your risk for depression — including a family history of mood disorders, unresolved trauma, substance use, or ongoing relationship struggles. For some, depression is tied to grief, burnout, or long-ignored emotional wounds. For others, it’s been there for as long as they can remember, without a clear beginning.

No matter how it started, depression has a way of convincing people to suffer silently. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

If you’re unsure whether what you’re feeling is depression — or you’ve simply learned to live with it — start by asking yourself a few honest questions.

You don’t need to have all the answers. Just enough curiosity to ask the questions.
If something feels off, it’s okay to explore it. Depression therapy in Denver is a safe place to start.

Could You Benefit from Depression Therapy?

Questions to ask yourself if you’re unsure what you’re feeling — or what to do next

Sometimes, depression doesn’t announce itself clearly. It doesn’t always come with tears or crisis. Often, it shows up as slow withdrawal, ongoing exhaustion, or a quiet sense that you’re no longer living fully.

If you’re wondering whether depression therapy might help, take a moment with the questions below. You don’t have to say “yes” to all of them — even one or two may point to something worth exploring.

• Have you lost interest in activities or people you used to care about?
• Are you feeling disconnected — from yourself, from others, from life?
• Do you often experience low mood, irritability, or emotional flatness?
• Are you sleeping too much or too little? Eating more or less than usual?
• Do you feel a sense of hopelessness, emptiness, or numbness that’s hard to explain?
• Have you noticed increased substance use as a way to cope or escape?
• Do thoughts about death, meaninglessness, or not wanting to be here surface more often than you’d like to admit?
• Have major life transitions — like a breakup, job change, or loss — left you feeling stuck or emotionally drained?
• Do you sometimes think, “Other people have it worse — I should be fine,” and then feel guilty for still feeling this way?
• Have you tried therapy before and felt like nothing really helped? (Resistant depression is more common than people realize — and there are ways forward.)

If any of these questions resonate, then it may be time to reach out.

Dr. Susan Hollander provides depression therapy in Denver for those who are ready to understand their symptoms, reconnect with themselves, and feel less alone in the process. Therapy can’t erase your past, but it can help you change how you live with it.

Read more about the specific issues connected to the questions above with Dr Susan Hollander’s library of blogs.

What Depression Therapy Looks Like with Dr. Hollander

Support that honors where you are, not where you “should” be

Beginning therapy for depression isn’t about having the right words — it’s about being honest enough to say, “Something doesn’t feel right.” That’s more than enough to start.

Dr. Susan Hollander offers evidence-based depression therapy in Denver that gently guides clients through the deeper layers of sadness, disconnection, and emotional fatigue. With over 30 years of experience, she brings a calm, steady presence to therapy, helping you find your way forward — even if it’s one small step at a time.

In your sessions, you may:

• Explore family history of depression and inherited emotional patterns
• Identify past losses and how they continue to shape your mood and relationships
• Engage in psychodynamic psychotherapy to work with emotions beneath the surface
• Learn mindfulness and meditation practices to create calm within persistent sadness
• Do inner child work to meet early pain with compassion
• Practice self-affirmation, especially when shame or self-criticism show up
• Use tools from CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to shift depressive thought loops
• Reduce thought patterns that block access to joy, motivation, and connection

Many people come to therapy for depression feeling like they’ve tried everything — maybe even feeling broken. You’re not broken. You’re carrying something heavy, and you’ve been doing it alone.

This space is about putting it down, piece by piece, with someone who knows how to help.

This might be your first step — or your tenth. Either way, it counts.
Let’s talk about what’s next. Reach out to schedule a consultation.

 Meet Dr. Susan Hollander, Ph.D.

Licensed Therapist | Compassionate Listener | Experienced Guide

Dr. Susan Hollander is a licensed therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting adults through depression, anxiety, trauma, and major life transitions. With a Ph.D. in Social Work and advanced clinical training, she blends evidence-based treatment with deep empathy and real-world understanding.

Clients describe her as calm, thoughtful, and grounded — someone who truly listens and helps you find your way, even when the path feels unclear.

How do I know if I need a therapist for depression or if it’s just a rough patch?

It’s normal for life to bring periods of sadness or stress. But if you’re experiencing depression symptoms — like persistent fatigue, feelings of hopelessness, loss of interest, or ongoing disconnection — it may be time to reach out. Working with a trained depression therapist can help you understand what’s beneath the surface and guide you toward meaningful healing.

What if I’ve tried therapy before, and it didn’t work?

You’re not alone. Many people with depression have worked with one or more therapists before finding the right fit. Depression can be complex and resistant to surface-level solutions. Dr. Hollander’s approach is rooted in depth, relationship, and evidence-based care, including CBT and psychodynamic therapy. This space may feel different if you’ve felt unseen or unsupported in past therapy.

Can therapy help with both depression and anxiety?

Yes — depression and anxiety often overlap, and many clients experience both. Dr. Hollander specializes in treating depression and anxiety using an integrative, evidence-based approach that addresses the emotional, cognitive, and relational roots of both. You’ll learn to understand your emotional patterns, calm your nervous system, and build emotional flexibility.

What if I’ve had thoughts of death or not wanting to be here?

Having thoughts of death or wishing to disappear can be deeply frightening — and also more common than many realize. These thoughts are a signal that your mental health needs care, not judgment. Please call 1-844-493-8255    | Text “TALK” to 38255

Do you offer in-person and virtual therapy in Denver?

Yes. Dr. Hollander offers in-person sessions at her Denver office and secure telehealth appointments for clients across Colorado and beyond. Whether you’re looking for therapists in Denver or prefer to do sessions from the comfort of your home, therapy can be tailored to your needs and life.

Still have more questions? Go to the FAQ section or contact Dr Hollander for more info.

Contact Us

To learn more about the depression therapy services we offer, reach out to Dr. Susan Hollander’s practice today. Covering the areas of Greenwood Village, CO, Castle Rock, CO, Littleton, CO, and Englewood, Co, we are here to help you on your path to emotional wellness.