This is my second year applying to graduate schools in Physical Anthropology. My GPA within my major is a 3.0, I have 2 years field experience (including supervisory), while I haven't published anything, I do have a lot of research complete (with write-up) and I am even able to return to my field school to conduct my own research again (which I assume looks great for a potential masters thesis).
My problem: I have a low overall GPA (2.3) and low-ish GRE scores (1050). The GRE I can obviously retake.
During my undergrad, I suffered heavily from depression (though I was not seeing a therapist or anyone for it, which is typical of depression). This heavily impacted my work outside of Anthropology (pretty much the only thing I was able to focus on).
Additionally, my professor capable of giving the strongest recommendation for my academic and professional work was unable to write me a recommendation letter (due to legal reasons involving my college screwing her over with her contract and her not being able to comment on my work under her there).
How do I go about explaining these issues (the depression has been dealt with, and no longer effects my motivation for coursework) to a graduate committee without sounding like a sob-story ploy to get myself in?