Depression Treatment in Chicago, IL
Some mornings feel heavier than they should. You get up, answer the emails, and show up for the people who count on you. But something keeps pulling you back down, no matter how hard you push through. If low mood has been shadowing your days, you have landed in the right place for depression treatment in Chicago, IL.
Depression treatment that gives you something to do,
not just something to say
At Restartt, depression treatment is active and skills-based. We use Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, a structured form of CBT. Instead of open-ended talk, we look at what you are telling yourself right now that keeps the low mood in place.
Our work draws on an REBT-based approach to depression that focuses on the beliefs keeping low mood in place, not just the symptoms. You leave sessions with tools you can use, not only insight about the past.
Who this is for
This is for adults who function on the outside but feel stuck underneath. You might be a working professional who looks fine to everyone else. Inside, you are overthinking, holding yourself to standards that never feel like enough.
Many people we see have tried therapy before. They felt heard, but nothing changed in how they responded day to day. This time you want something that actually shifts how you feel and act.
If you have been feeling depressed for weeks and can't quite explain why, it helps to understand what those early signs actually look like. Some people describe a sadness that won't lift no matter what they try, and recognizing that pattern is often the first step toward getting help.
We are direct about who we are not the right fit for. We do not treat chronic illness or severe mental health conditions, and we will point you toward better-matched care if that is what you need. We also do not offer somatic methods like EMDR or Brainspotting.
What sessions actually look like
Sessions are grounded in a clear method. We work at a whiteboard, in person or online, and you get homework to practice between visits. This is not passive talk therapy.
We break down a real situation using the ABC framework. Activating event: what happened. Belief: what you told yourself about it. Consequence: how you felt and acted afterward.
The low mood often lives in the belief, not the event itself. Once you can see the rigid thinking behind it, the "shoulds" and "I can't mess up" rules, you can start to question it. Then you can replace it with something that holds up.
Your first appointment is a 60-minute intake. You do not have to perform okay here. You just tell us what is going on, and we start working from there.
What tends to change
Most clients notice real movement within three or four sessions. This is a pattern we see, not a promise, and it comes from the skill-based nature of the work.
People start catching their own thinking in real time, outside of session. They feel less controlled by their reactions. They can sit with discomfort and uncertainty without spiraling.
Over time, decisions get easier because you no longer need everything to be perfect first. The goal is not to keep you in therapy forever. It is to hand you skills you can maintain on your own.
Your care is led by Angela Orlando Cameli, LCSW, CADC, who is currently accepting new clients. She is trained in REBT, CBT, and trauma-informed approaches, and completed her REBT Practicum I certification through the Chicago Institute for REBT.
Common questions about depression treatment
Can you actually recover from depression, or does it just get managed?
Yes, people can feel genuinely better and stay that way. Depression treatment here is built to change the thinking patterns that keep low mood going, not just cope with symptoms week after week. When you learn to catch and question those beliefs yourself, the change tends to hold. Most clients see meaningful shifts within a few sessions and carry the skills forward without needing ongoing therapy.
How much does it cost, and do you take insurance?
The initial intake is $200 for 60 minutes, and ongoing sessions are $150. We offer a sliding scale based on annual income, starting at $60 per session for those earning under $35,000. We are in-network with several major insurers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare your specific plan with us before your first visit so there are no surprises.
Do I need medication to treat depression?
No, medication is not required to start this work, and we do not prescribe it. As LCSWs, we provide therapy, not medical or psychiatric care. Many people make real progress through REBT alone. If medication turns out to be part of your care, we will talk openly about coordinating with a prescriber.
How soon can I get an appointment?
Same day, in most cases we respond to your inquiry the same day you reach out. The typical wait for a first appointment is two to three days, with most bookings landing within one to two weeks. You can start with a free 15-minute consultation or go straight to scheduling your intake.
Ready when you are
Deciding to reach out takes something. Our office sits at 30 N. Michigan Ave in downtown Chicago, and we also work with clients online across Illinois. You can learn more about Restartt and the way we work with clients across Chicago before deciding to reach out.
If you want to actually work, not just talk, book a free consultation or schedule your first session today.