The Steady Practice
Depression Treatment at Feel August
Depression affects approximately 21 million American adults each year. It is not a character flaw or a sign of weakness — it is a medical condition that responds to treatment. At Feel August, depression care begins with a thorough 60-minute evaluation and continues with PHQ-9 tracking at every visit so you and your provider can see your progress in real terms.
Understanding Depression
Depression is more than sadness. It is a persistent disruption in mood, energy, motivation, and the ability to experience pleasure. For high-functioning adults, depression often manifests as a heaviness — a sense that everything requires more effort than it should, that the things that used to matter have lost their weight.
Major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), and adjustment disorders with depressed mood are among the most common presentations. Each has different implications for treatment, which is why a thorough evaluation is the starting point — not a prescription.
Recognizing the Signs
- Persistent low mood or emotional numbness lasting more than two weeks
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that used to matter
- Changes in sleep — insomnia, hypersomnia, or fragmented rest
- Fatigue or low energy despite adequate sleep
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or staying engaged
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Withdrawal from relationships or responsibilities
- A sense of going through the motions without feeling present
Our Approach
Treatment at Feel August
Depression treatment at Feel August is measurement-based. Your PHQ-9 score is assessed at every visit — not as a formality, but as a clinical tool that ensures your treatment is working. If it is not, your provider adjusts the approach rather than waiting.
Treatment may include antidepressant medication (SSRIs, SNRIs, atypical antidepressants, or other evidence-based options), complementary approaches where clinically appropriate, and close follow-up during the critical first weeks of treatment. Your provider sees you frequently in the beginning — not because there is a problem, but because early monitoring produces better outcomes.
From Our Perspectives
Why We Measure Every Visit
In most psychiatric practices, the question "How are you doing?" is answered with a feeling. At Feel August, it is answered with a number. Not because numbers are more important than feelings — but because without measurement, neither you nor your provider actually knows whether your treatment is working.
Read essay →What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first appointment is 60 minutes. Your provider will ask about your current symptoms, medical history, prior treatment, family history, and what matters to you. This is not a checklist — it is a conversation designed to understand your experience in full.
After the evaluation, your provider will share their assessment, discuss treatment options, and develop a plan with you — not for you. You will leave with clear next steps and a follow-up appointment, typically within two to four weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have depression?
- If you have experienced persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, sleep changes, or difficulty concentrating for more than two weeks, a professional evaluation can help determine whether depression is present and what treatment approach might help.
- Do I need a psychiatric provider for depression?
- A provider is appropriate when depression is moderate to severe, when therapy alone has not been sufficient, when you want to explore medication, or when your symptoms are significantly affecting your daily functioning. Psychiatric providers specialize in the medical management of depression.
- What medications are used for depression?
- First-line medications for depression include SSRIs (such as sertraline, escitalopram, and fluoxetine) and SNRIs (such as venlafaxine and duloxetine). Your provider will recommend a medication based on your specific presentation, side effect profile, and treatment history.
- How long does depression treatment take?
- Most antidepressant medications take 4-6 weeks to reach full therapeutic effect. Many people continue treatment for 6-12 months after symptoms resolve to reduce the risk of recurrence. Your provider will discuss the recommended timeline for your specific situation.
- Can online psychiatry treat depression?
- Yes. Telehealth psychiatry for depression has been extensively studied and shows equivalent outcomes to in-person care for medication management. Feel August provides all appointments via secure video throughout California.
When you\u2019re ready.
Schedule your first conversation
No payment until your first session. No surprise bills.
Or call us directly at (213) 715-2100.