Therapy for Depression and Bipolar Disorder

Depression rarely arrives all at once. More often it accumulates — a slow loss of energy, a flattening of the things that used to bring pleasure, a quiet conviction that the future will be harder than it should be. By the time many people seek therapy, they have already been carrying it for months or years, sometimes assuming the heaviness is simply who they are. It isn't. Depression is treatable, and meaningful change is possible.

I provide therapy for adults across California living with depression and bipolar disorder. I have extensive experience with mood disorders across the spectrum — from situational depression triggered by loss, transition, or chronic stress, to persistent depressive disorder, to bipolar I and bipolar II disorders. My approach is collaborative, strength-based, and grounded in evidence.

Depression: What It Looks Like

Depression is more than sadness. It often involves a cluster of changes that affect mood, physical health, thinking, and motivation. Common signs include:

• Persistent low mood, sadness, or emptiness
• Loss of interest in activities that used to bring pleasure
• Fatigue and low energy, even after rest
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Changes in sleep | Sleeping much more or much less than usual
• Changes in appetite or weight
• Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or self-criticism
• Hopelessness about the future
• Withdrawal from relationships
• Thoughts of suicide

Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression alternating with episodes of elevated or irritable mood, known as mania (in bipolar I) or hypomania (in bipolar II). Manic and hypomanic states can include increased energy, reduced need for sleep, racing thoughts, impulsive decisions, irritability, and heightened goal-directed activity. Because elevated periods can feel productive or even pleasant at first, individuals with bipolar disorder do not seek diagnosis in a timely manner, thus delaying treatment until after multiple debilitating mood swings.

Therapy for bipolar disorder typically focuses on stabilizing daily routines, recognizing early warning signs of mood shifts, building skills for managing both depressive and elevated states, and supporting medication adherence when medication is part of the treatment plan. I do not prescribe medications, but I work in coordination with clients' prescribing psychiatrists.

My Approach to Mood Disorders

Treatment is collaborative and tailored to where you are. We will work together to understand the patterns that maintain your symptoms — the thoughts, behaviors, relationships, and life circumstances that contribute to mood instability. Drawing on cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed techniques, we will develop concrete tools for managing low mood, regulating emotional intensity, restoring routines that support stability, and fostering effective support systems.

Many of my clients with mood disorders also live with anxiety. The two frequently travel together, and treatment can address both. You can read more about my work with anxiety and trauma as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can therapy treat depression without medication?
For mild to moderate depression, evidence-based psychotherapy alone often produces meaningful and lasting improvement. For more severe depression or bipolar disorder, a combination of therapy and medication is generally most effective. I do not prescribe medications, but I coordinate with psychiatrists when medication is part of a client's care.

What is the difference between depression and bipolar disorder?
Depression involves persistent low mood, loss of interest, and related symptoms. Bipolar disorder involves episodes of depression alternating with episodes of elevated, energized, or irritable mood. Accurate diagnosis matters because the treatment approaches differ.

How do I know if I need therapy for depression?
If low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, or hopelessness have lasted more than two weeks and are interfering with your work, relationships, or ability to enjoy life, treatment can be highly beneficial in reducing symptoms and restoring effective functioning.