Therapist Talks About Depression: My Story, My Healing, and the Power of Support
By Raquel Perez, MA, LPC, NCC
When people hear the phrase "therapist talks about depression,"
they often expect clinical definitions, textbook symptoms, or treatment plans.
But for me, talking about depression is deeply personal.
Because I’ve lived it.
Before I was a therapist, I was a 22-year-old single mom raising three young children and quietly unraveling inside. Depression didn’t just knock on my door—it moved in and settled deep into my bones. And for a long time, it felt like I was carrying a 100-pound barbell on my back just to get through the day.
What Depression Felt Like for Me
It was the early 2000s. I was young, overwhelmed, and completely exhausted—mentally, emotionally, physically.
I remember feeling like I was floating through life in a fog. I was there, but not really. Like the lights were on, but no one was home.
Some days I felt nothing at all—numbness was my baseline.
Other days, when the fog lifted just enough to let feelings in, what I felt was hopelessness. A deep, aching sense of being lost, unworthy, and unsure of how I could ever pull myself out.
Looking back now, I honestly don’t know how I began to lift the weight.
But I did. Slowly. Not all at once. Not with any magic formula.
And certainly not without support.
What Helped Me Begin to Heal
There wasn’t one “aha” moment. There wasn’t a clear turning point.
But maybe it was a combination of small, powerful things.
Maybe it was my family—my sister, my mom, my dad—who believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.
Maybe it was my children’s eyes looking up at me, reminding me that I had to at least try.
Maybe it was the thought: Even if I fail, I can’t end up worse than I already am.
At the time, I was working a dead-end job with only a high school diploma and no clear roadmap forward. I had three kids depending entirely on me. And yet… somewhere in the fog, a tiny shift happened.
I started taking small steps. I started trying again.
Over time, I earned a certification and two degrees. I went on to build three fulfilling careers. And those little ones? They’re now young adults—and they’re thriving.
But let me be clear: this is not a story of “curing” depression.
Depression Isn’t Something I “Got Over”
Even now, more than two decades later, I still have days that feel heavy.
There are still mornings where the weight returns. Where the fog starts to settle in.
And when those days come, I return to the three things that anchored my healing from the very beginning:
Acceptance
Grace
Support
These aren’t just ideas. They’re lifelines.
Acceptance: Honoring What’s Real
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up.
It doesn’t mean resigning yourself to pain or dysfunction.
It means being honest about where you are—emotionally, mentally, physically.
It means saying:
“This is what’s true for me right now. This is what hurts. This is what I need.”
Acceptance opens the door to clarity. When we stop pretending we’re “fine” or trying to bypass our feelings, we can actually begin to heal.
Grace: Letting Yourself Be Human
For years, I carried shame about my depression. I blamed myself for not being stronger, more organized, more “together.”
But grace changed that.
Grace is about letting go of the pressure to be perfect.
It’s about holding yourself with compassion, especially on the hard days.
Your story—every messy, painful, beautiful part of it—is still worthy of love.
Support: We Were Never Meant to Do This Alone
Whether it’s a therapist, a trusted friend, a family member, or a community that understands… support is essential.
We are wired for connection. We heal in relationship—with others and with ourselves.
My support system helped me survive. It helped me keep going. And now, it’s one of the most powerful things I help clients build in their own lives.
You Are Not Alone in This
If you’re in a dark place right now, I want you to know:
You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You don’t need to take giant leaps.
You just need to take one small, honest step.
And then another.
And then another.
Eventually, those steps begin to add up.
Healing from depression is not a straight line. It’s a spiral. It’s a dance. It’s a process that unfolds in layers. But it is possible to feel joy again. To feel connected. To feel like yourself.
Want Support on Your Healing Journey?
If you're seeking support, you're not alone—and you don’t have to do this by yourself.
At Intima Couples & Sex Therapy PLLC, I work with adults and those in relationships who are navigating depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship challenges, and sexual concerns. Whether you're healing from emotional pain, exploring your identity, or seeking to feel more connected in your relationships, our work together is grounded in creating safety for insight—a space where you can explore your inner world with compassion, curiosity, and care.
🌿 I offer both in-person therapy in Lakewood, Colorado and virtual sessions across the state.
And if you're not ready to start therapy but want a place to begin, download my free therapy-informed guide to emotional safety and self-reflection:
💌 Sacred Spaces: A Guide to Creating Emotional Safety for Insight
You deserve to feel safe in your own mind. You deserve to feel seen, supported, and whole—exactly as you are.
Final Thoughts
As a therapist, I know the theories and the tools.
But as a human, I know the feeling of depression.
And I know how hard it can be to hold on to hope when everything feels heavy.
That’s why I share my story—not because it’s “finished” but because it’s real.
And because maybe, just maybe, it will remind someone else that they’re not broken.
They’re becoming.
