DEPRESSION THERAPY
IN LOS ANGELES
When getting through the day takes everything you have
Depression is not laziness, and it is not a character flaw. It is a real, treatable condition that drains your energy, flattens the things you used to enjoy, and quietly convinces you that this is simply how life is going to feel from now on. If you have been carrying that weight — maybe for a very long time, and maybe without anyone around you realizing it — you do not have to keep carrying it alone.
There is hope, and therapy for depression does help.
At Playa Vista Counseling, we help adults across Los Angeles move out from under depression and back into a life that feels like their own again.
If you are looking for depression therapy, you have come to the right place.
At Playa Vista Counseling, we help clients understand what is driving their depression, not just manage the symptoms on the surface. Depression often has roots — old losses, chronic stress, unprocessed trauma, burnout, isolation, or patterns of thinking that have quietly hardened over years. We work from a strength based model, which means we start from what is still working in your life and build from there.
Our licensed therapists offer a safe, caring and supportive environment where you can be honest about how you are actually doing, without performing or minimizing.
What depression can look like
Depression shows up differently for everyone. Some people feel deep sadness. Others mostly feel numb, irritable, or exhausted. Common signs include:
Persistent sadness, emptiness, or a low mood that will not lift
Loss of interest in people, work, or activities you used to love
Fatigue and low energy, even after a full night of sleep
Sleeping too much or too little
Changes in appetite or weight
Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
Feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or being a burden
Irritability, restlessness, or a shorter fuse than usual
Unexplained aches, pains, or physical heaviness
Thoughts of death, self-harm, or suicide
If you are having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please reach out right away — call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or go to your nearest emergency room. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
Our approach to treating depression
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
We use evidence-based approaches and tailor them to you. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you notice and shift the thought patterns that keep depression in place, while behavioral strategies help you re-engage with life in small, realistic steps rather than waiting to feel motivated first. When depression is connected to trauma or painful past experiences, EMDR can help those memories lose their grip. We also draw on mindfulness and Internal Family Systems (IFS) work when it fits your goals.
If medication is something you want to explore, we are glad to coordinate with a prescribing provider — but many people find meaningful relief through therapy alone.
Depression is treatable, and you deserve support
You do not need to hit a crisis point to deserve help. Whether this is your first time considering therapy or your fifth, we will meet you where you are and work at a pace that feels manageable. We offer sessions in Los Angeles and virtual therapy throughout California, including evenings and weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A rough patch usually lifts as circumstances change, while depression tends to linger for weeks or months and starts affecting your sleep, energy, focus, and interest in things you normally enjoy. You don't need a diagnosis or a certain level of suffering to reach out. A free introductory call is a low-pressure way to talk it through.
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-researched approaches for depression, and it's often where we start. When depression is rooted in past trauma or loss, we may also use EMDR or Internal Family Systems work. We'll tailor the approach to what's actually driving your depression.
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Yes. Many people significantly improve through therapy alone, especially with consistent, evidence-based treatment. If medication becomes something you’d like to explore, we can coordinate with a prescribing provider — but it isn’t a requirement to get real relief.
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It depends on your goals and what’s underneath the depression. Some clients notice meaningful shifts within a couple of months, while others value longer-term support. We’ll set goals together early on and check in regularly so the work keeps moving in a direction that feels right.
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It absolutely is, and we take that seriously. We start small and keep expectations realistic — no homework piles, no pressure to arrive with insights. Virtual sessions can also make it much easier to begin when leaving the house feels like too much.
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Individual sessions are $150 for 50 minutes. We’re an out-of-network provider and can supply a superbill for possible reimbursement through your PPO plan. We’re glad to talk through fees and options on your free introductory call.