1. Before Your Visit: Forms and Records
You’ll complete short questionnaires about mood, energy, sleep, appetite, and daily functioning. Please bring a list of current medications/supplements, any prior evaluations, and your insurance card.

2. Initial Evaluation: Telling Your Story
We’ll talk about when your symptoms started, how long they’ve lasted, and how they affect your daily life. We’ll also explore your medical history, family history, stressors, and any past treatments you’ve tried. Safety is always a priority, so we will check for thoughts of self-harm or suicide and make a plan together if needed.

3. Clarifying the Diagnosis
Depression can range from mild to severe, and it can overlap with other conditions like anxiety, ADHD, or medical issues (thyroid, vitamin deficiency, sleep disorders). We combine your history, rating scales, and sometimes lab work to confirm the diagnosis and identify other contributing factors.

4. Collaborative Treatment Plan (Multimodal)
Together, we design a personalized plan that may include:

• Therapy: such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy, or supportive therapy. Therapy helps change negative thought patterns, build coping skills, and improve relationships.
  

• Medication (if appropriate): antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion, etc.) can help regulate brain chemistry and improve mood, energy, and concentration. Medication choice depends on your symptoms, side effects, and past experiences.
  

• Lifestyle supports: regular sleep, balanced nutrition, physical activity, reducing alcohol or substance use, and building daily structure.
  

• Coping skills & wellness tools: mindfulness, journaling, grounding exercises, setting small achievable goals, and celebrating progress.
  

• Support systems: involving trusted family or friends, and connecting to support groups or community resources.
  
  

5. If Trying Medication: Safety and Patience
We’ll explain benefits, possible side effects, and what to expect (most antidepressants take 4–6 weeks for full effect). We usually start at a low dose and adjust gradually. Regular check-ins help us fine-tune the plan.

6. Short-Term Follow-Ups: Monitoring Progress
In the first weeks, we’ll meet more often to see how you’re doing. We’ll check your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, side effects, and overall functioning. We adjust the plan as needed, whether that means therapy focus, medication changes, or lifestyle shifts.

7. Building Skills That Last
Medication can help regulate symptoms, but therapy and lifestyle skills build long-term resilience. We’ll work together on stress management, problem-solving, healthy routines, and reconnecting with activities that bring meaning.

8. Ongoing Care
Once things are improving, visits are typically every 1–3 months. We’ll continue to use rating scales or checklists to track your progress and adjust the plan over time.

9. Care coordination (With Your Permission)
We can collaborate with your therapist, primary care provider, or specialists to keep your care consistent and holistic.

10. Annual Review & Long-Term Planning
Each year we reassess your diagnosis, treatment response, and life goals. Some patients continue medication long-term, while others may taper after stability. Ongoing therapy or lifestyle strategies often remain part of care.

11. If Your Needs Change
Depression can return or flare during stressful times. If symptoms worsen or new challenges arise, we’ll adapt, adjusting medication, therapy, or support strategies to help you regain stability.