Depression, Bipolar and Mood Disorder Therapy That Actually Works!
Have you been feeling like something is “off,” but you’re not sure why?
Do mornings feel impossible, like the weight of just getting out of bed is too much?
Have you noticed yourself pulling away from friends, ignoring texts, and losing interest in things that used to bring you joy?
Do your moods shift so quickly that you barely recognize yourself, leaving you worried something more serious is going on?
When was the last time you felt truly hopeful about the future?
If these questions hit close to home, you're not alone.
Depression and mood disorders affect millions, but they're also highly treatable.
Let's talk about what you're experiencing and how therapy can help.
Signs You May Be Struggling With Depression or a Mood Disorder
You may be dealing with depression or bipolar disorder if you notice:
Trouble making decisions
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Feeling overwhelmed and praying for relief
Low energy for daily tasks
Avoiding calls or messages from others
Loss of interest in things you once enjoyed
Feelings of hopelessness or guilt
Feeling stressed or snapping easily
Mood swings, from irritability to high energy
Ongoing aches, pains, or health concerns with no clear cause
These signs are not a weakness. They are signals that your mind and body need care and support.
What Are Mood Disorders? How Do They Affect Your Life?
Mood disorders affect a person’s emotional state, causing dramatic mood shifts that can impact daily life, relationships, and work. The most common mood disorders are depression and bipolar disorder, which affect the emotions, thoughts, brain and body.
Depression: More Than Feeling Sad
Sadness is a natural emotion, but when it lasts for more than two weeks and interferes with daily functioning (work, sleep, concentration), it may be a sign of clinical depression.
Signs You May Be Dealing With Depression
Feel sad all the time for no reason
Don’t enjoy anything anymore
Hard to focus and make simple decisions
Brain feels foggy and can’t think clearly
No motivation or energy to do anything
Can’t fall asleep when exhausted or want to sleep all the time
Lost appetite and don’t feel like eating
Feeling numb
Unexplained health symptoms and body aches but doctors can’t find anything wrong
Thoughts about wanting to not be here anymore
If you or someone you love is experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for support.
Text 988 to reach the Crisis and Suicide Lifeline or call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.
Types of Depression You May Experience
Major Depressive Disorder: Ongoing feeling of deep sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness most days for at least two weeks that makes it hard to function
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Depression that shows up mainly in fall or winter, with low mood and energy, and where you want to stay inside more.
Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia): Long-term, low-grade depression that can last for years, where you function but rarely feel truly happy.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD): Severe mood swings, irritability, or sadness in the week or two before your period that improves once it starts.
Perinatal/Postpartum Depression: Depression during pregnancy or after childbirth, with intense sadness, guilt, worry, and disconnection from your baby.
Talk to a Depression Therapist in Suwanee Today
Schedule a consultation or ask questions — help is available.
Understanding Bipolar Disorder and Mood Swings
Bipolar disorder is characterized by specific patterns of extreme mood swings, alternating between highs (mania) and lows (depression).
Bipolar I: Mood is elevated with increased energy, decreased need for sleep, increased irritability, racing thoughts, and impulsive behavior.
Bipolar II: Characterized by hypomania (less intense mania) alternating with depression.
Cyclothymia: Milder, less severe mood swings of hypomania and depression.
How Depression Shows Up Differently in Men and Women
While anyone can develop depression, men often show more irritability and anger, they are more prone to substance use, whereas women more commonly experience intense sadness, guilt, and worthlessness. Recognizing these differences helps reduce shame and gets people help sooner.
Can Depression, Bipolar Disorder and Mood Disorders Improve with Therapy?
Depression and bipolar disorder can be treated effectively with therapy, medications, and lifestyle changes, even if your symptoms have been present for a long time.
What Are My Treatment Options for Depression or Bipolar Disorder?
Common options include talk therapy, medication (like antidepressants or mood stabilizers), lifestyle changes, and sometimes brain-based treatments (ECT or TMS) in more severe or resistant cases.
At Paraclete Counseling, treatment is personalized, and we use a combination of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectal Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance & Commitment Therapy. We also utilize neuroscience-based strategies that focus on helping people change neural pathways that are associated with negative, depressed thinking. Many people benefit from a combined approach, especially if symptoms are intense, long-lasting, or keep returning.
How Therapy Helps You Feel More Like Yourself Again
Learn to notice and challenge harsh, negative self-talk so it no longer runs your life.
Build practical coping skills for days when getting out of bed feels impossible.
Strengthen your relationships by communicating your needs instead of withdrawing or snapping.
Develop a plan for early warning signs, so mood swings feel more manageable and less frightening.
Regain your hope and reconnect with God as you learn to think more positively.
Can Faith Help Me Overcome My Depression?
For most who struggle with depression or bipolar disorder, discouragement and despair is a daily struggle. Relying on your faith and relationship with God can provide hope in the middle of this struggle. Our therapists will pray with you, gently remind you of truth and God’s promises that He will never leave or forsake you. We will help you reconnect with God and will hold hope for you when you can’t hold hope for yourself. We’re committed to walking alongside you during this difficult journey and getting you to the other side.
Areas We Serve: Suwanee, Duluth, Cumming, Johns Creek, Buford, and north Metro Atlanta
Online Therapy Available Across Georgia
Call, text, or schedule your consultation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have depression or just feel sad?
Sadness is an emotion that changes within a few days or when your circumstances change. Depression is a disorder that affects mood, thinking, energy and motivation, and lasts longer than 2 weeks. It affects your ability to function in daily life and affects your work, relationships and daily activities.
How do I know if I need therapy for depression or bipolar disorder?
You might consider therapy if your mood, energy, or behavior has started to interfere with daily life, relationships, or work for more than a couple of weeks. For depression, this can look like feeling sad or empty most days, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, or feeling worthless or like a burden.
For bipolar disorder, you may have periods of very low mood plus times when you feel unusually “up” with more energy, less need for sleep, racing thoughts, or risky behavior that is not like you.
If you are unsure, meeting with one of our Paraclete therapists is a safe way to sort out what you are experiencing and talk about options for support. You can meet in-person in our Suwanee/south Forsyth office or online anywhere in Georgia.
How long does depression therapy usually take?
Therapy for depression does not have a one-size-fits-all timeline, but many people start to notice meaningful changes within about 8–16 weekly sessions, especially with evidence-based approaches like CBT. Some clients need shorter, focused treatment, while others benefit from longer-term therapy to address deeper patterns, past experiences, or recurring episodes of depression.
Do you prescribe medication for depression or bipolar disorder?
No, we do not prescribe medication but have psychiatrists with whom we have relationships with that we can refer you to. We coordinate with your medical prescriber so that therapy and medication work hand-in-hand to help relieve your depression or help stabilize mood in bipolar disorder.
Do you offer online therapy for depression and mood disorders in Georgia?
Yes, we provide online therapy in Georgia and in-person therapy in Suwanee, Duluth, Johns Creek, Cumming, Buford, and the greater north Atlanta area.
Can my Christian faith be included in treatment if I want it to be?
Yes, if you desire, your depression therapy can integrate faith, prayer and Scripture along with evidence-based techniques. Christian counseling is available to help you overcome your depression
Can therapy help without medication?
Yes. Many people experience significant relief from depression and bipolar disorder through talk therapy alone, especially with evidence-based approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In some cases, medication is also recommended, but therapy on its own can still help you understand your patterns, build coping skills, and improve daily functioning.
Do you treat teens with depression?
Yes, we provide depression therapy for both teens and adults.
How do I get started with depression and mood disorder treatment at Paraclete Counseling Center?
You can contact us either by calling us, sending us a message through our contact form, or text our director at 770-744-1490 with your name and request for info. She will reply to your text and answer any questions you may have.
Get Support for Depression and Mood Disorders
Areas We Serve
Suwanee, GA
Johns Creek
Cumming
Duluth
Buford
North Metro Atlanta
Online therapy offered statewide in Georgia
At Paraclete Counseling Center, our therapists provide counseling for depression, bipolar disorder, and other mood disorders to adults and teens in Suwanee, GA and the surrounding North Metro Atlanta communities. People come to us for compassionate, faith-informed care that combines evidence-based therapy with a warm, relational approach. Whether you are seeking in-person depression therapy or online counseling anywhere in Georgia, our team is here to help you move from surviving to living with more hope, connection, and purpose.
Reach out to schedule an appointment, ask questions, or learn how therapy can support you or your loved one. You deserve care that treats you as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.
Call, text, or schedule your consultation today!
