Depression treatment in Texas
Telehealth psychiatric care for adults — based in Austin, serving patients statewide.
Clinical depression is more than sadness or grief. It is a treatable medical condition that can show up as major depressive disorder (MDD), persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), postpartum depression, or the depressive phase of bipolar disorder — and it shapes how you sleep, eat, think, and connect. Sadness ebbs and flows; clinical depression settles in, dampens what used to bring meaning, and often demands more than rest or willpower to lift.
At Eki Mental Health PLLC, we treat depression in the context of your whole life — relationships, work and financial stress, racial trauma, immigration history, identity, and hormonal changes — not just a checklist of symptoms. Our care is warm, evidence-based, and culturally responsive, so what you carry is heard before it is prescribed for.
Signs you may benefit from treatment
- Persistent low, empty, or numb mood most of the day, nearly every day
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
- Sleep changes — insomnia, waking too early, or sleeping much more than usual
- Appetite or weight changes without intentional dieting
- Fatigue or low energy, even after rest
- Feelings of worthlessness, excessive guilt, or self-blame
- Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or remembering details
- Slowed thinking, speech, or movement (or, conversely, restlessness)
- Hopelessness about the future or feeling stuck
- Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide
- Increased irritability, anger, or short fuse — especially common in men and teens
- Physical aches, headaches, or digestive issues without a clear medical cause
How Eki Mental Health PLLC treats depression
Care begins with a comprehensive evaluation that distinguishes depression subtypes — major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia), bipolar depression, postpartum depression, and substance- or medication-induced mood changes. The right diagnosis matters because the right treatment depends on it; an antidepressant alone, for example, can destabilize unrecognized bipolar depression.
Treatment usually combines medication — SSRIs, SNRIs, or atypical antidepressants such as bupropion or mirtazapine — with psychotherapy, most commonly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, or interpersonal therapy (IPT). When standard options have not worked, we discuss emerging tools on request, including pharmacogenomic testing to inform prescribing and referral for ketamine or Spravato when treatment-resistant depression is identified. Throughout, our lens stays trauma-informed and culturally responsive — your story shapes the plan.
Treatment options
1. Medication management
First-line antidepressants commonly used in our practice include SSRIs (sertraline, escitalopram, fluoxetine), SNRIs (duloxetine, venlafaxine), and atypical antidepressants like bupropion and mirtazapine. Most antidepressants take 2–6 weeks to reach full effect; we typically reassess at 4–6 weeks and adjust dose, switch agents, or augment as needed. For patients who have struggled with side effects or non-response in the past, pharmacogenomic testing can help guide which medications are most likely to be tolerated and effective.
2. Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral activation, interpersonal therapy (IPT), and mindfulness-based approaches all have strong evidence in depression. We don't provide weekly therapy in this practice, but we collaborate with vetted therapists across Texas and will help you find a fit who shares your values and identity.
3. Lifestyle anchors
Alongside medication and therapy, we build a small set of lifestyle anchors that have measurable effects on mood: consistent sleep timing and sleep hygiene, regular exercise (one of the highest-quality evidence bases in depression care), daily light exposure, social connection, and reducing alcohol or substance use that may be deepening symptoms.
For treatment-resistant depression — typically defined as inadequate response to two adequate antidepressant trials — additional options exist, including ketamine and Spravato (esketamine). We don't administer these in-house, but we are glad to refer to trusted Austin-area programs and coordinate care with your treatment team.
What to expect at your first visit
Your first visit is a 60–90 minute comprehensive evaluation. We review your history, current symptoms, family and medical context, prior medication trials and what worked or didn't, and goals for treatment. We complete a careful safety screen for suicidal thoughts and risk factors. In most cases, a treatment plan and prescription begin at the first visit; some plans benefit from a brief follow-up shortly after to refine the approach once labs or records are in.
Optional: GeneSight pharmacogenomic testing
If you'd like, we can order GeneSight at your first visit — a simple cheek-swab genetic test that analyzes how your body metabolizes psychiatric medications and provides a clinician-facing report to guide prescribing.
Benefits:
- Reduces medication trial-and-error by predicting which medications you're likely to tolerate well
- Identifies medications you may metabolize too quickly (less effective) or too slowly (more side effects)
- Especially useful if you've had a hard time tolerating medications in the past or first-line options haven't worked
- Covers 60+ psychiatric medications — antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics, ADHD meds
- One-time test — your genes don't change, so results stay relevant for life and follow you to future prescribers
- Non-invasive cheek swab; results typically return within 2–3 days
Entirely optional — we only order it if you want it. Insurance coverage varies; we'll review cost and coverage with you before ordering.
Insurance & cost
In-network with Aetna and UnitedHealthcare / Optum; most insured patients pay $20–$60 per visit after benefits. Self-pay rates: $400 initial evaluation, $250 standard follow-up. Superbill provided for out-of-network reimbursement. Full pricing & insurance details →