Areas of Focus
Depression and Mood
Depression or changes in mood can alter sleep, daily routines and the effort it takes to stay in touch with people. We examine those patterns with you, including concerns related to bipolar disorder and mood dysregulation.
Who This Is For
This care is for teens, young adults and adults noticing low mood, shifts in energy or difficulty managing emotions. You don't need a label to talk about changes in your routine. Families can ask about helpful participation.
- Depression and low motivation
- Mood dysregulation
- Bipolar disorder
- Relationship effects of mood changes
Focus of Care
What We Work On
Mood Patterns
Mood changes and what was happening around those shifts.
Sleep and Routine
Sleep, daily activities and the disruptions to your usual routine.
Relationships
Withdrawal, conflict or the difficulty of asking someone for support.
Managing Emotions
Your responses to changes in energy, frustration or sadness.
How We Work
We may review mood notes alongside sleep and routine, then choose one concern to address. CBT can examine thoughts associated with low mood; mindfulness-based work can focus on noticing emotional responses. Your account of the week helps us decide what to focus on.
- CBT for thought patterns
- Mindfulness-based practices
- Attention to relationships
- Client feedback and goal review
What Can Shift
Your goals may involve describing a mood change sooner, keeping track of a disrupted routine or explaining what support you want from a relative. Small examples from your day count here. When you want it, we can coordinate with prescribers so therapy discussions remain connected to other care.
What Sessions Look Like
Appointments run for 50 minutes, either at our San Diego office or by telehealth anywhere in California. We can talk about your sleep, motivation and the situations that affected your mood during the week.
We talk with you about family involvement, who might join, and what you want to discuss. If attendance feels difficult, we can consider format and availability.
Fees in Brief
Individual, couples and family sessions are 50 minutes. We are in network with many plans and provide superbills for out-of-network benefits. Contact us for rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do You Work With Bipolar Disorder?
Yes. We address mood patterns, routines and relationships in therapy, with coordination with prescribers when the client wants it.
Do I Need Medication First?
Medication is not a prerequisite for asking about therapy. We do not prescribe; medication questions can be discussed with a prescriber, and we can coordinate when requested.
What if Getting to Sessions Is Difficult?
Telehealth may help with travel difficulties while you are in California. We can talk about availability and the space you would use for video sessions.
Related Support
You May Also Want to Explore
Panic, unusual experiences and personal stress may need discussion alongside mood patterns. These pages explain the related clinical focus and individual format. If several concerns are present, we can talk about how they affect sleep, routine or relationships and decide together what needs attention first.
The free 15-minute phone consultation can begin with a change in mood or routine. We can also talk about how family might be involved.
Start With a Conversation