Focus Area
Integrative treatment for depression.
Depression has a way of narrowing a person's world — the things that used to feel meaningful, the work that used to feel worth doing, all start to feel farther away. That's not weakness. That's a medical and psychological condition with real, effective treatments.
What this actually is
Depression is more than sadness. It involves persistent low mood, loss of interest or pleasure, disrupted sleep, changes in appetite or energy, difficulty concentrating, and feelings of worthlessness. It can be mild, moderate, or severe; a one-time episode, recurrent, or chronic. It often coexists with anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or a medical condition nobody has looked at yet.
Why the standard approach often falls short
The standard approach is a short visit, an SSRI, and a recommendation to exercise more. That works for some people. It fails others for reasons the short visit never uncovers: undiagnosed thyroid disease, hormonal shifts, sleep apnea, chronic inflammation, a trauma history, or a medication that was prescribed before anyone knew how that person metabolizes SSRIs.
The Elevae approach
Mind
A careful evaluation including past treatments, trauma history, and coexisting conditions like ADHD or anxiety that frequently hide under a depression label.
Biology
Labs that matter for mood: thyroid, vitamin D, B12, folate, iron, fasting glucose, inflammation markers. Hormonal review for women. Sleep apnea screening.
Lifestyle
Sleep, movement, nutrition, alcohol, sunlight, and social contact. Each has a direct line to mood.
Relationships
Sometimes depression reflects what's happening around you — work, relationships, isolation, or financial stress. When that's the case, we address those realities as part of care.
Meaning
For some clients, depression is a grief response to a life that looks right on paper but isn't.
What treatment typically looks like
An Elevae depression evaluation begins with a 60–90 minute intake and a targeted lab panel. Within two weeks, you'll have a written plan that typically includes therapy, a decision about medication, nutritional recommendations, and a sleep protocol.
Lifestyle interventions that actually work
- Aerobic exercise. 3–5 times a week. Meta-analyses show effect size on depression rivals many medications.
- Light. Morning light exposure within an hour of waking.
- Sleep. Regular and sufficient.
- Omega-3s. Modest but real evidence.
- Social contact. Isolation worsens depression; connection buffers it.
- Alcohol. A depressant masquerading as a mood lift.
Pharmacogenomics and depression
Pharmacogenomic testing meaningfully shortens the trial-and-error process for clients who have tried multiple antidepressants without benefit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if this is depression or just a hard time?
Depression persists for weeks or months and affects sleep, energy, concentration, and the ability to enjoy things. If low mood has lasted more than two weeks and is changing how you function, it's worth evaluating.
Start here
A free 15-minute consultation. We'll tell you honestly if we're the right fit.
We'll listen, answer questions, and either welcome you in or point you somewhere better.
Book a consultation