Depression therapy

Depression therapy in Santa Barbara and online across California

Whether it arrived after something, or has been there so long you stopped noticing it was there.

Free 15-minute consultation
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Depression doesn’t always look like sadness

A lot of people expect depression to feel like crying, and are confused when theirs feels like nothing at all.

That last one matters. Depression that arrived gradually often stops registering as depression. It becomes the baseline, and you stop expecting anything different.

What keeps it in place

Depression is rarely just a chemical event or just a thinking problem. It usually sits on top of something: grief that was never given room, anger with nowhere to go, a life built around what you should want, or years of putting your own needs last because it was genuinely necessary.

Behavioural strategies help, and exercise and sleep and structure matter. They also tend to stop working when what’s underneath stays untouched. Understanding what the depression is responding to is what makes the change hold.

How I treat depression

A note on medication

I don’t prescribe. For some people medication makes therapy possible by lifting them far enough to engage; for others therapy alone is enough. If it seems worth exploring, we can talk it through and I can coordinate with your physician or a psychiatrist.

Psychodynamic·Somatic·Polyvagal·CBT·Emotion-Focused·Mindfulness-Based·Parts Work

Common questions

How do I know if it's depression or just a rough patch?

Duration and reach are the usual markers. If it's lasted more than a few weeks and is affecting your sleep, work, relationships, or interest in things you used to care about, it's worth addressing. You don't need a diagnosis to start.

Do you prescribe antidepressants?

No. As a therapist I don't prescribe. If medication seems worth considering, I'll say so and can coordinate with your doctor or a psychiatrist.

I'm still functioning. Is therapy appropriate?

Yes. Functioning well is not the same as being well, and many people manage for years before addressing it. Waiting until things collapse is common and unnecessary.

How long does depression therapy take?

Some people feel meaningfully better within a few months. Depression with longer roots usually takes longer. We revisit frequency and length together as your goals change.

What does it cost?

Individual sessions are $150 for 50 minutes. Private pay, with a superbill on request for out-of-network reimbursement. A limited number of reduced-fee spots are available.

Start with a free 15-minute call

We talk about what’s going on and what you’re hoping for. I respond personally to every inquiry within 48 hours.

Free 15-minute consultation