Depression Therapy in Ottawa and Gatineau
Understanding depression and psychotherapy
Difficult days and stretches of discouragement are part of ordinary life. What sets depression apart is a low mood or a loss of interest that persists and comes with other changes in sleep, energy, concentration or the way you see yourself.
Depression is not a lack of willpower or a sign of weakness. Psychotherapy can help you understand what is keeping it going and gradually find your footing again, build back some momentum, and return to the activities that matter to you.
Reviewed by the Belleisle Clinics clinical team. Last updated: 29 September 2026.
A depressive episode can look different from one person to the next. It may involve:
- sadness, emptiness or a flat mood that persists;
- a loss of interest or pleasure in activities you usually enjoy;
- fatigue or low energy that rest does not resolve;
- changes in sleep or appetite;
- difficulty concentrating or making decisions;
- irritability;
- feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt;
- withdrawal from relationships or activities;
- thoughts of death or suicidal thoughts.
If low mood comes with suicidal thoughts, see the “In a crisis” section at the bottom of this page.
These signs do not necessarily mean that a person has a depressive disorder. Some can also have a medical cause; when they are new, significant or unexplained, it may be appropriate to talk to a health professional.
Sadness, grief or depression?
Sadness is a normal response to a loss, a disappointment or a hard period. It usually fluctuates, and it leaves room for other emotions at times.
Grief can also bring intense and lasting pain, which is not in itself depression. That said, grief or a difficult period can sometimes come with persistent depressive symptoms.
Telling these apart on your own is not always easy, and you do not need to sort it out before consulting. A first meeting can help you see the situation more clearly.
Why does depression take hold?
There is no single cause of depression. Several factors can contribute to it starting or continuing: difficult events such as a loss, a separation, a conflict, an illness, or work and financial problems; prolonged stress; isolation; or a vulnerability tied to a combination of biological, psychological, family and environmental factors.
Depression can also sustain itself. Low energy often leads people to cut back on activities, which cuts down the chances to enjoy anything or feel any satisfaction, and can deepen the low mood. The sense of powerlessness and the thoughts that come with depression, along the lines of “nothing will change”, “there is no point” or “I will not manage it”, can also make the very steps that might help harder to take.
Psychotherapy does not require identifying a single cause before starting. The work can begin from the symptoms or from the difficulties you notice today.
Different forms of depression
Depression does not present the same way in everyone.
Depressive episode
A depressive episode is a period of at least two weeks marked by low mood or loss of interest, together with other symptoms that interfere with functioning. It can happen once or recur over a lifetime, and its intensity varies.
Persistent depression
Some people live with a less intense low mood that is present over a long period. Because it becomes familiar, it can be read as a personality trait rather than as a difficulty someone can consult about.
Low mood linked to a situation
Low mood can follow an event or a period of stress: a separation, a job loss, an illness, a significant change. The trigger is identifiable, but the reaction can still be hard enough to carry that support is worth it.
Depression in the perinatal period
Depressive symptoms can appear during pregnancy or after a birth. They do not call your capacity as a parent into question, and they can be addressed in psychotherapy.
When to talk to someone about depression
You do not need to wait until depression gets very severe before talking to someone.
It can be worth talking to a professional when low mood, fatigue or loss of interest:
- have lasted several weeks;
- disrupt sleep, appetite or energy;
- make work, studies or daily tasks harder;
- lead you to withdraw or to give up activities;
- affect your relationships;
- become difficult to manage with your usual strategies.
You do not need a diagnosis of depression before starting psychotherapy.
How psychotherapy can help with depression
The work depends on your situation, your goals and the professional’s approach.
Therapy can help you:
- better understand what is contributing to your low mood;
- gradually take up activities again that are meaningful or satisfying;
- recognize some of the thoughts associated with depression and look at them with more distance;
- work on relationship difficulties or a life transition;
- get better at recognizing the signs of a relapse, and know how to respond to them.
Goals are not the same for everyone. For some people, the work centres on a specific period. For others, it touches on longer-standing difficulties.
CBT and other approaches for depression
For depression in adults, the Canadian guidelines from the Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) list cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy and behavioural activation among the first-line psychological treatments.
Depending on the situation, the work can include gradually re-engaging with activities, examining certain thoughts, working on relationships, or other strategies suited to the person’s needs.
Other psychotherapeutic approaches may also be used. The choice depends on the reason for consulting, the goals, the professional’s training and the person’s needs.
Psychotherapy and medication
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the clinical picture, the person’s preferences and their history, psychotherapy, medication or a combination of the two may be considered.
A decision about medication belongs to a professional authorized to prescribe, such as a physician. With the person’s consent, the treating professional can collaborate with the prescriber.
What happens in a first session
The first session is mainly about understanding what brings you in and how low mood is affecting your life.
The professional may ask about how your mood has changed, your sleep, your energy, your activities, your relationships and the supports you have. They may also ask about suicidal thoughts, in order to make sure the format and the level of support fit your situation.
That session can also begin the therapeutic work and open a discussion about a first direction.
Psychologist, psychotherapist or another professional?
Someone searching for a “psychologist for depression in Ottawa” or a “psychologist for depression in Gatineau” is usually looking first for a qualified professional who can help with what they are going through.
A professional title and the authorization to practise psychotherapy are not the same thing.
The professionals in the Belleisle network who provide depression therapy are independent and regulated: each belongs to a professional order or college in the province where they practise and works within their own areas of competence. In Ontario, several regulated professions may provide psychotherapy within their scope of practice; at Belleisle you are most likely to work with a Registered Psychotherapist (CRPO) or a Psychologist (CPBAO).
In Quebec, the practice of psychotherapy is reserved. Psychologists, physicians and couple and family therapists practise it without a separate psychotherapist permit; members of certain other professional orders may practise it while holding the psychotherapist’s permit issued by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec.
To learn more about professional titles and about what is worth checking before you begin, see our psychotherapy page and our guide, Psychologist vs. Psychotherapist in Ontario.
Online depression therapy in Ottawa and Gatineau
Psychotherapy for depression can also take place online, in Quebec as in Ontario.
The online format can reduce travel and some scheduling constraints, which can count for something when low energy makes every outing harder. It does require a space private enough for a confidential conversation, and it does not suit every situation, particularly when the severity of the symptoms or the level of risk calls for more intensive or in-person support.
For services provided at a distance, authorization requirements can vary depending on the jurisdictions involved and on where the client and the professional are located during the session. The professional must make sure they comply with the rules that apply to their situation.
You may also want to see our pages on online therapy in Ottawa, our general page on online therapy for depression and, in French, psychothérapie à Gatineau.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a diagnosis of depression to consult?
No. The work can start from the difficulties you notice, even without a prior diagnosis.
How do I know whether this is depression or just a hard period?
That is not always easy to tell on your own. How long the symptoms have lasted, how intense they are and how much they affect daily life are all worth considering. A first meeting can help clarify the situation.
Will I have to take medication?
Not necessarily. Depending on the situation, psychotherapy, medication or a combination of the two may be considered. A decision about medication belongs to a professional authorized to prescribe.
How long does depression therapy last?
It varies from person to person, depending on the nature and duration of the symptoms, their impact on daily life and the goals involved. After a few initial assessment sessions, the professional can often offer a first estimate of the length of the work and suggest a direction, both of which can be adjusted as therapy goes on.
Do I need a medical referral?
No. Neither Ontario nor Quebec requires a physician referral for psychotherapy in private practice. You can send a request directly. Some extended health insurance plans do require a doctor’s note for reimbursement, so it is worth checking the wording of your plan.
Getting started
If low mood is taking up too much room in your daily life, a first meeting can help you understand what is happening and discuss the next steps.
In a crisis
The services described on this page are not a substitute for crisis or emergency services.
If you are thinking about suicide or are in crisis, you can call or text 9-8-8 anywhere in Canada. If there is immediate danger, call 911.
In Quebec, you can also call 1-866-APPELLE (1-866-277-3553) or dial 811, option 2, for Info-Social.
Reference
Lam, R. W., Kennedy, S. H., Adams, C., et al. (2024). Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2023 Update on Clinical Guidelines for Management of Major Depressive Disorder in Adults. The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 69(9), 641–687.
The content on this page is provided for information only. It is not individualized professional advice, does not create a therapeutic relationship, and does not replace a consultation with a qualified health professional.