Conditions We Treat
Depression Treatment in California
Board-certified telepsychiatry anywhere in California, in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Spanish.
We treat depression by telehealth anywhere in California. Your provider is board certified and speaks English, Punjabi, Hindi and Spanish.
At a Glance
- Secure video visits anywhere in California
- Care in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Spanish
- Initial evaluation $250, follow-up visits $199
- HSA and FSA cards accepted, superbills on request
Depression is not weakness, laziness or something you can just push through. It is a medical condition. It affects mood, energy, sleep, appetite and the ability to enjoy things. It touches millions of Californians every year.
Mindful Sewa Psychiatry provides online depression treatment across the state. Harpal Singh, PMHNP-BC, offers careful evaluations, medication management and steady follow-up care through secure video visits.
Many people look for help only after months of trying to handle depression alone. By then, work, sleep and relationships may already be strained. California telepsychiatry for depression lets you start care from home, often within days. There is no waiting room and no long drive. You meet with a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner from anywhere in the state.
Depression rarely looks the same in two people. For one person it means tears and heavy sadness. For another it looks like irritability, body aches or simply feeling nothing. Some people keep working and smiling while they feel empty inside. This is sometimes called high-functioning depression, and it deserves care just as much as depression that keeps you in bed.
Depression is very treatable. Most people improve with the right mix of care, and there are many options to try if the first one is not a good fit. The first step is an honest evaluation of what is going on.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression
- Sadness, emptiness or hopelessness that will not lift
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Low energy and tiredness
- Trouble focusing or making decisions
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
How We Treat Depression by Telehealth
Care usually begins with an antidepressant matched to your symptoms and history. It is paired with supportive therapy, changes to sleep and activity, and regular follow-up. If the first medicine is not the right fit, we adjust. There are many good options.
We also screen for conditions that look like depression or travel with it. These include thyroid problems, anxiety, ADHD and bipolar disorder. That way your treatment targets the right cause.
Types of Depression
Clinicians use a few names for depression, and the name helps guide treatment. Major depressive disorder means a clear episode of low mood or lost interest. It lasts at least two weeks and comes with other symptoms. Persistent depressive disorder, once called dysthymia, is a milder depression that lasts two years or more.
Depression can also follow a pattern. Some people notice it returns each fall and winter, which is called a seasonal pattern. Others notice mood changes tied to the menstrual cycle, pregnancy or the months after a birth. Depression can also be one side of bipolar disorder. That is why we always ask about past highs. You can read more on our mood disorders page.
What Causes Depression
There is no single cause. Depression usually grows from a mix of genes, brain chemistry, life stress and health. A family history raises risk, but it does not decide your future. Loss, money worries, long-term illness, trauma and loneliness can all push mood down.
Health factors matter too. Thyroid problems, low vitamin levels and chronic pain can cause or worsen low mood, and so can some medicines. Alcohol and cannabis often make depression harder to treat, even when they seem to help in the moment. A good evaluation looks for these hidden drivers.
Depression can look different at different ages. Teens may seem angry or withdrawn more than sad. Older adults may talk more about poor sleep, pain or memory than about mood. Harpal treats children, teens, adults and seniors, so the evaluation fits your stage of life.
Treatment Options Through California Telepsychiatry
Most people do best with a combined plan. Research supports several kinds of talk therapy, such as CBT, behavioral activation and interpersonal therapy. They teach skills for stuck thinking, low drive and strained relationships. Mindful Sewa offers supportive psychotherapy as well as medication care, so both can happen in one place.
Common medicine classes include SSRIs, such as sertraline, escitalopram and fluoxetine, and SNRIs, such as venlafaxine and duloxetine. Other options include bupropion and mirtazapine. Each has a different side effect profile. Your prescriber decides which one fits your symptoms, health and preferences, and you talk through the choice together.
Daily habits support recovery. Regular sleep and wake times, daylight, movement and time with people you trust can lift mood a little at a time. These habits do not replace treatment when depression is moderate or severe. But they help treatment work better.
When Depression Needs Help Right Now
Some signs mean you should not wait for a routine visit. If you have thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, get help right away. If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911. You can find more options on our crisis resources page.
Other signs mean it is time to book an evaluation soon. These include symptoms that last more than two weeks, falling behind at work or school, pulling away from family, or using alcohol to get through the day. You can book online or call (888) 457-8124. New patients are usually seen within days, in English, Punjabi, Hindi and Spanish.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Your first telehealth appointment takes about an hour. We talk honestly about how you have been feeling and review your history. Then we build a plan together, and you leave with it in writing. Follow-up visits track your progress and keep treatment moving until you feel like yourself again.
Ready to start? Book a comprehensive evaluation, review our transparent fees, or take the symptoms quiz first.
Services for Depression
Medication Guides Related to Depression
These plain-language guides cover medicines used for depression. They are background reading, not advice. Your prescriber decides what fits you at your evaluation.
- Amitriptyline (Elavil), Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin XL), Atypical antidepressant (norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor)
- Citalopram (Celexa), SSRI antidepressant
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq), SNRI antidepressant
- Doxepin (Silenor), Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta), SNRI antidepressant
- Escitalopram (Lexapro), SSRI antidepressant
- Fluoxetine (Prozac), SSRI antidepressant
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox), SSRI antidepressant
- Mirtazapine (Remeron), Atypical antidepressant (noradrenergic and specific serotonergic)
Related Reading
Articles from our provider on depression and related topics.
FAQ
Common Questions About Depression
How do I know if I am depressed or just sad?
Sadness lifts with time and good news. Depression stays most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or more. It pulls down sleep, energy, appetite and interest in life. An evaluation can tell the difference.
How long do antidepressants take to work?
Most antidepressants take four to six weeks for full effect, though sleep and energy often improve sooner. We plan early follow-ups so changes can happen quickly if needed.
Will medication change my personality?
No. Good treatment lifts the heavy filter of depression so the real you can come back. If a medicine makes you feel flat or not like yourself, tell your prescriber so it can be changed.
What if I have thoughts of hurting myself?
If you are thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911. Please do it right away. Telehealth is not a crisis service, but once you are safe, we can be part of your ongoing care.
Can I get treated for depression without going to an office?
Yes. All visits at Mindful Sewa happen by secure telehealth video. You only need to be physically in California at the time of the visit. Evaluations, prescriptions and follow-ups are all done by telehealth.
Do I have to stay on antidepressants forever?
Not always. Many people stay on medicine for several months after they feel well, then taper slowly with their prescriber. People who have had several episodes may benefit from longer treatment. Never stop suddenly on your own.
Is therapy or medication better for depression?
For mild depression, therapy alone often works well. For moderate or severe depression, research supports using therapy and medicine together. Your plan depends on your symptoms, your history and what you prefer.
Do you take insurance for depression treatment?
Mindful Sewa is private pay and does not bill insurance. HSA and FSA cards are accepted, and we can give you a superbill to send your insurer for possible out-of-network payback. The first evaluation is $250 and follow-ups are $199.
Can depression cause physical symptoms?
Yes. Depression often brings headaches, stomach problems, muscle aches, low energy and changes in appetite. Some people notice the body symptoms before the mood change. A careful evaluation looks at both.
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