Depression therapy

Online depression therapy in California

The alarm goes off and you can't move. Everything feels heavy. The things you used to enjoy don't land anymore. Depression lies to you. It says nothing will help and nothing will change. We're two licensed therapists in California who work with you over secure video to push back against that voice and help you start feeling like yourself again.

Book a free consultation
What it feels like

Depression isn't just sadness

It's canceling plans because you can't imagine being around people. It's staring at a meal you know you should eat but don't want. It's lying awake at 3am feeling nothing, or feeling everything at once. It's the guilt about not being productive, layered on top of the exhaustion that makes productivity impossible.

About 21 million adults in the US had at least one major depressive episode in 2021 (NIMH). It's one of the most common mental health conditions in the country. And it responds well to treatment.

Sessions happen over secure video from anywhere in California. Each one is one hour, and individual therapy is $125 per session.

How we work with depression

  • We use CBT (we help you notice negative thought patterns and build better ones). The APA rates CBT as a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder.
  • We start with behavioral activation (we get you moving again, even in small ways). It sounds simple, but it's one of the most effective parts of depression treatment.
  • We work on the negative thought loops that keep pulling you back down
  • Every four weeks, we measure your progress with the PHQ-9 (a short questionnaire that tracks how you're feeling over time) so you can actually see it changing
What to expect

How it works

1

Free consultation

We talk about what you're dealing with and figure out if we're a good fit. No cost, no commitment.

2

First session with assessment

Your therapist asks about your history, what's been going on, and what you want to change. You'll take a PHQ-9 so we have a baseline to measure against.

3

Weekly sessions

Each one-hour session builds on the last. We combine behavioral activation with thought pattern work. You'll try things between sessions and we'll go over what stuck.

4

Progress tracking

Every four weeks, you retake the PHQ-9. We look at the numbers together and adjust the plan based on what's working.

Your therapists

Who you'll work with

D

Daishea

LMFT #142484

Daishea has close to a decade of clinical experience. She uses an existential-humanistic approach alongside CBT, which means she's not just working on your thought patterns but also helping you reconnect with what matters to you. When depression strips away motivation and meaning, that combination matters.

L

Leona Esmaeily-Aimua

LMFT #142467

Leona combines person-centered therapy with CBT. Depression is one of her primary specialties. She's good with clients who were taught to push their feelings aside and just keep going. She also works with OCD, ADHD, and eating disorders.

Questions we get

Depression therapy FAQ

How long does it take to feel better?+
Most people start noticing a shift within 4 to 6 sessions, especially once behavioral activation kicks in. A full course of CBT for depression usually runs 12 to 20 sessions. We use the PHQ-9 (a short questionnaire that tracks how you're feeling over time) every four weeks so you can see the change on paper.
Can online therapy help with depression?+
Yes. A 2014 meta-analysis in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that online CBT is as effective as in-person therapy for depression. You're getting the same treatment from a licensed therapist. The only difference is you don't have to leave your house, which matters a lot when getting out of bed already feels like a win.
Do I need medication for depression?+
Not necessarily. The APA rates CBT as a first-line treatment for major depressive disorder, meaning it works on its own for many people. Some people do better with a combination of therapy and medication, especially for more severe symptoms. We don't prescribe medication, but if that's something you want to explore, we can coordinate with your prescriber.
What if I can't get out of bed to do therapy?+
That's one of the reasons we do this online. You can attend a session from your bed, your couch, wherever you are. We don't need you to have it together before you start. That's what we're here for.

You don't have to feel like this forever.

Book a free call to talk about what's going on and whether we're the right fit.

Book a free consultation

No pressure. No commitment.