Can therapy help if I’m already on medication?

Yes. Research shows that therapy combined with medication is often more effective than either alone. With your consent I will coordinate with your prescriber so your care stays connected.

Do you work with teens experiencing depression?

I work with adolescents ages 13 and up as well as adults and older adults. Parent involvement is tailored to the teen’s age and needs.

Is online depression therapy as effective as in-person?

For most clients, yes. Telehealth removes barriers like commuting and scheduling, which matters when energy is low. In-person sessions are available in Downers Grove for those who prefer them.

Therapy for Depression

Depression Therapy in Downers Grove, IL

Name: Affirm Behavioral Health, PLLC
Address: 5120 Main St., Suite 105, Downers Grove, IL, 60515, US
Telephone: (708) 990-1174
Price range: $75 – $225

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated, and not your usual self? You are not alone, and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them.

Request a Free Consultation (708) 990-1174

A man standing on a cliff overlooking a wide valley at sunrise, representing hope after depression

Do these thoughts often enter your mind?

“I am worthless and can’t do anything about it.”
“I feel guilty for just wanting to eat, sleep, and be alone.”
“I hate who I am these days.”
“I can’t stop crying, which makes me want to stay away from others.”
“I feel gut-wrenching pain, but no one understands.”
“My life and the world around me are dark. I hate it, but I can’t change it.”

You are not your diagnosis

If you have had any variation of these thoughts and don’t feel like your usual self, chances are you may be suffering from depression. I understand the social stigmas that come with the label of being depressed, and I aim to help clients sort out their environmental, biological, and circumstantial factors while offering support and care through a very dark time.

Depression is treatable. Whether this is your first episode or a pattern you’ve lived with for years, there are many options available to once again have hope for your life.

What depression treatment looks like here

We begin by understanding the full picture: sleep, energy, relationships, work, physical health, substance use, and the losses or changes that may have set things in motion. From there we build a treatment plan that is practical and paced to what you can realistically do right now, even on the hard days.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to challenge the self-critical thinking that keeps depression in place
Behavioral activation to rebuild routine, movement, and connection in small, achievable steps
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and positive psychology to reconnect with values and meaning
Strength-based, person-centered work that honors what has already helped you survive
Coordination with your physician or psychiatrist when medication is part of your care, with your written consent

Depression alongside illness, grief, or recovery

Depression rarely travels alone. It often follows a cancer diagnosis, a chronic illness, a loss, a divorce, or a period of heavy drinking. With advanced training in oncology social work and certification as an alcohol and drug counselor, I treat depression in context rather than in isolation. That integrated approach is what many clients tell me was missing from previous therapy.

If you need help right now

If you are thinking about harming yourself or feel unable to stay safe, please call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room. Therapy is not a crisis service, but once you are safe, I would be honored to help you build a life that feels worth living again.

Frequently asked

Questions about depression therapy

Sadness usually has a clear cause and lifts with time. Depression tends to last two weeks or longer, affects sleep, appetite, energy, and concentration, and makes things you once enjoyed feel pointless. If you’re unsure which you’re experiencing, a consultation can help clarify next steps.

Why clients choose Affirm Behavioral Health

Dual-specialty care for mental health and substance use, with medical insight most therapists don’t offer.

Christine Stryjewski is both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor, with advanced oncology social work training and years of experience in medical care. That means anxiety, depression, trauma, substance use, and medical stress can be treated together in one coordinated plan.

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