Depression Treatment & Evaluation in Austin and Surrounding Areas
Living with depression can feel like moving through life with a weighted blanket draped over your mind—every step takes effort, and even the simplest tasks can feel overwhelming. Many people think depression is “just sadness” or something you can snap out of if you try hard enough, but in reality, it’s a medical condition that affects your brain chemistry, sleep, energy, and ability to think clearly. With the right evaluation and a treatment plan tailored to you, it’s possible to move from feeling stuck and drained to living with purpose, stability, and hope.
Understanding Depression
Plain-English definition: Depression (major depressive disorder) is more than feeling down—it’s a persistent change in mood, motivation, and mental energy that impacts daily functioning.
Adults vs. stereotypes: While some imagine depression as constant tears and visible sadness, in adults it can also look like irritability, withdrawal, difficulty concentrating, or going through the motions without feeling connected to life.
Common symptoms:
Low or flat mood most of the day
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed
Fatigue or low energy
Changes in sleep (too much or too little)
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Changes in appetite or weight
Thoughts of hopelessness or guilt
Why it’s often missed: Many people normalize their symptoms as “just stress” or “being tired” and delay seeking help until it significantly disrupts their work, relationships, or health.
My Diagnostic Process
Comprehensive intake — reviewing your personal history, current stressors, and lifestyle.
Evidence-based assessments — validated tools to measure severity and patterns.
Differential diagnosis — ruling out conditions such as thyroid issues, bipolar disorder, or anxiety that can mimic or worsen depression.
Personalized plan — not just a diagnosis, but a roadmap to restore mood, energy, and motivation.
Treatment Tailored to You
Medication options: Antidepressants, augmentation strategies, and evidence-based medication selection to balance mood and minimize side effects.
Therapy approaches: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation, and supportive therapy to rebuild engagement with life.
Lifestyle changes: Optimizing sleep, exercise, and nutrition to support brain health.
Adaptive strategies: Plans evolve over time as we track progress and adjust based on your response.
Why My Practice is Different
Most online information about depression is too generic to be useful or too clinical to apply in real life. I give you clear, practical guidance from the first appointment so you:
Understand what’s happening in your mind and body
See all your treatment options upfront
Know exactly what steps we’ll take together
Actionable self-reflection you can try today:
Think about the last time you felt engaged or excited about something. Write down what you were doing, who you were with, and what your energy levels were like. Identifying even small moments of improvement can be the first step toward building a recovery plan.
Depression Often Comes with Company
Depression frequently overlaps with anxiety disorders, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and chronic stress-related conditions. Treating depression effectively means addressing the full picture, not just one part.
Serving Austin and Beyond
I provide depression treatment for clients in:
Austin, Barton Creek, Bastrop, Bee Cave, Bertram, Blanco, Briarcliff, Brushy Creek, Buda, Burnet, Cedar Park, Circle C, Creedmoor, Dripping Springs, Elgin, Florence, Georgetown, Granger, Great Hills, Hays, Hutto, Jarrell, Johnson City, Jonestown, Jollyville, Kyle, Lago Vista, Lakeway, Leander, Liberty Hill, Lockhart, Luling, Manor, Marble Falls, Martindale, Meadowlakes, Mountain City, Mustang Ridge, New Braunfels, Niederwald, Pflugerville, Point Venture, River Place, Rollingwood, Round Rock, San Marcos, Smithville, Steiner Ranch, Sunset Valley, Taylor, The Domain, The Hills, Thrall, Volente, Webberville, Weir, West Lake Hills, Wimberley, Woodcreek, Zilker, and throughout all of Texas!