Depression Therapy in Brookfield, WI
You're still getting things done. You show up to work, keep the house running and answer the texts, mostly. But everything feels heavier than it should. Things you used to enjoy feel flat. You're tired in a way rest doesn't fix, and you've started to wonder if this is just how life feels now.
It doesn't have to be. I'm Katie Nickel, a therapist in Brookfield, WI, and I work with high-achieving adults who are quietly struggling with depression, in person or online anywhere in Wisconsin.
Signs of depression
Depression in high achievers is easy to miss, especially when you're still functioning. Signs can include:
Persistent sadness, emptiness or feeling numb
Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
Low energy and fatigue that doesn't improve with sleep
Sleeping much more or much less than usual
Trouble concentrating or making decisions
Harsh self-criticism or feeling like a burden
Pulling away from friends and family
Going through the motions while feeling disconnected from your own life
Is it burnout or depression?
They can look a lot alike, and they often overlap. Burnout is what many people feel first, the exhaustion and detachment from pushing too hard for too long. But when the heaviness follows you into weekends, vacations and the parts of life that aren't work, depression may be underneath. Burnout isn't a diagnosis. Depression is something we can treat, often along with anxiety or ADHD when they're part of the picture.
How depression therapy helps
Therapy gives you a place to set down the act of being fine. Together we'll:
Make sense of what's contributing to how you feel
Rebuild energy and momentum in small, realistic steps
Notice and soften the harsh inner critic
Reconnect with relationships, values and things that matter to you
Create routines that support your mood instead of draining it
I use evidence-based approaches including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), solution-focused therapy and trauma-informed care. Sessions move at your pace.
What to expect
It starts with a free 15-minute consult by phone or video. If we're a good fit, your first 50-minute session focuses on your history, how you've been feeling and what you'd like to be different. Most clients meet weekly at first. Read more about what to expect.
In person in Brookfield or online in Wisconsin
When depression makes everything harder, getting to an appointment can feel like a lot. You can meet in person at 13160 W. Burleigh Rd., Suite 203, Brookfield, WI 53005, near Waukesha, Milwaukee and Wauwatosa, or from home through online therapy anywhere in Wisconsin.
Cost of depression therapy
Sessions are $150 for 50 minutes. I don't accept insurance. I can provide a superbill you may be able to submit for out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan. Sessions are generally HSA/FSA eligible. See fees & insurance.
How to get started
Book a free 15-minute consult.
Share what's going on, at whatever level feels comfortable.
If it feels like a fit, we'll schedule your first session.
If you're in crisis: this practice isn't an emergency service. If you're having thoughts of suicide or you're in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or call 911.
Depression therapy FAQ
How do I know if it's depression or just a hard season?
If you've felt low, flat or unmotivated most days for a couple of weeks or more, or it's affecting your work, relationships or sleep, it's worth talking to someone. A free consult is a low-pressure way to start.
Do you prescribe antidepressants?
No. I'm a counselor, not a prescriber. If medication might help, I can refer you to a psychiatric provider. Therapy and medication can work well together.
Can therapy help if I'm still functioning?
Yes. You don't have to be falling apart to deserve support. Many of my clients are high-functioning on the outside and struggling on the inside.