Looking for help with depression can feel like a big step, especially when your energy is low and everything feels heavy.
At Vistas Psychotherapy & Wellness, our therapists offer warm, nervous-system-informed psychotherapy for adults and teens. Amanda Carver, R.P., sees clients in person by appointment at 317 Catherine St. Sandra Gautreau, R.P., and Heather Lash, RP (Qualifying), offer secure video sessions for Ottawa clients, with daytime and some evening times available.
You're welcome to book a free 15–20 minute consult to explore fit, pacing, and next steps. You can come exactly as you are: low energy, unsure, or simply curious.
Depression can feel like fog settling over the view. The landscape is still there, but it's hard to see where you're going, or to remember why the climb ever felt worth it. Therapy won't clear the fog overnight. It can help you get your bearings, one small step at a time.
Depression doesn't look the same for everyone, and you don't need a formal diagnosis to reach out. You might notice:
Some people feel slowed down and heavy. Others look "high-functioning" while feeling numb or disconnected. Many move between restless and shut down. Culture, family expectations, community, and experiences of marginalization can all shape how depression feels and how it's described, and there's no single "right" way to experience it.
At Vistas, much of our work centres on stress, anxiety, and trauma, and depression is often part of that same picture. When stress goes on long enough, the nervous system can shift from "on high alert" to "shut down": flat, foggy, heavy, far away. Seen this way, depression isn't a personal failing. It can be your system's way of conserving energy when it has been stretched for too long.
Nervous-system-informed therapy pays attention to these body cues and energy shifts alongside your thoughts and feelings. Depending on what fits, sessions may weave together:
You and your therapist decide together what to focus on, and stabilization and everyday coping come first. Psychotherapy at Vistas is talk-based and never involves touch. If body-based work interests you, see somatic therapy in Ottawa.
Meeting a new therapist while you're feeling low can take a lot of energy. You're not expected to tell your whole story at once.
A first session is usually spent:
Over time, sessions may include:
Depression can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming, so anything you try between sessions is kept small and realistic for your current energy. You and your therapist might:
The plan can change week to week. Some weeks focus on getting through; others go a little deeper into patterns or past experiences.
Depression and anxiety often overlap, leaving you restless inside and heavy at the same time. If anxiety is also part of the picture, see anxiety therapy in Ottawa. If past experiences seem to keep low mood in place, EMDR therapy in Ottawa may be worth discussing.
Vistas is committed to culturally and identity-responsive care. You're welcome to bring your identities, communities, and lived experiences into the room, and to request an Indigenous therapist or a culturally informed therapist if that feels important for your comfort or connection.
Ottawa office (by appointment): Vistas Psychotherapy & Wellness, 317 Catherine St., Ottawa, ON
| Therapist | Format for Ottawa clients | Billed as |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Carver, R.P. | In person by appointment, or virtual | Psychotherapy |
| Sandra Gautreau, R.P. | Virtual | Psychotherapy |
| Heather Lash, RP (Qualifying), under clinical supervision | Virtual; our most affordable option | Psychotherapy |
Not sure which therapist fits? Find your fit.
You might consider therapy if low mood, loss of interest, or exhaustion are affecting your relationships, work, school, or day-to-day life. You don't need to wait until things feel "bad enough." Wondering whether support might help is a valid reason to reach out.
No. Many people start therapy without a formal diagnosis. Vistas provides psychotherapy, not diagnostic assessments, so if diagnostic clarity matters to you, a physician or psychologist can work alongside your therapy.
Yes. Amanda Carver, R.P., sees clients by appointment at 317 Catherine St. In-person times are limited. Amanda, Sandra Gautreau, R.P., and Heather Lash, RP (Qualifying), also offer secure video sessions, with some evening times available.
There's no single timeline. Some people meet with a therapist for a few months to stabilize and build skills; others choose longer-term work to explore patterns, trauma, or identity. You and your therapist check in regularly about your goals and whether the approach is still helpful.
Yes. Many people use psychotherapy and medication together. Registered Psychotherapists don't prescribe medication; that's done by a physician or nurse practitioner. With your consent, your therapist can coordinate with your broader care team.
Yes. Each of our therapists offers a limited number of sliding-scale spaces, and sessions with Heather Lash, RP (Qualifying), who practises under clinical supervision, are our most affordable option. Ask about current availability during your free consult.
Depression itself can make starting anything feel hard. It's okay to say so in your consult or first session. Your therapist can help you build a plan that respects your current energy, with shorter practices, gentle pacing, and realistic goals. Showing up as you are is enough.
Yes. Vistas offers developmentally attuned support for teens as well as adults. The therapist works with the teen, and with caregivers when appropriate, and explains how confidentiality works, including what stays private and what must be shared to keep them safe.
A free 15–20 minute consult is a low-pressure way to ask questions, share a little about what you're facing, and see whether the fit and pacing feel right. Take your time with this step.
If you are in crisis or thinking about suicide, please call or text 9-8-8 (Suicide Crisis Helpline), call 9-1-1, or go to your nearest emergency department. Vistas is not an emergency or crisis service. This page is for general information only and does not replace individualized mental health care, medical advice, or psychological diagnosis. It does not establish a therapeutic relationship. Outcomes vary and are not guaranteed.