Depression Therapy & Counseling in Pasadena, CA.

You don’t have to wait for the "fog" to lift on its own. Practical support to help you reconnect with your life.

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Depression Doesn't Always Look Like "Sadness"

People think depression is just crying all the time. But for many high-functioning adults and teens in Pasadena, it feels more like:

  • Numbness: You aren't necessarily sad; you just feel "flat," empty, or bored with things you used to love.

  • Exhaustion: You sleep 10 hours and still wake up tired, or every small task feels like climbing a mountain.

  • Irritability: (Especially in Teens) You feel quick to anger, frustrated by everyone, or constantly on edge.

  • The "Mask": You smile and perform at work or school, but the moment you get home, you crash.

Evidence-Based Care to Help You Move Forward

At Huntington Psychological Services, we treat depression as a treatable condition, not a permanent personality trait. We work with Adolescents (12+) and Adults to gently restart the engine.

We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you:

  • Challenge the Inner Critic: Stop the negative loop in your head that says "I'm lazy" or "It’s hopeless."

  • Behavioral Activation: Small, manageable steps to break the cycle of isolation and inactivity (without overwhelming you).

  • Reconnect with Values: Rediscovering what actually matters to you, not just what you "should" do.

Comprehensive Depression Care

  • Major Depressive Disorder

    Episodes of deep sadness, hopelessness, or lethargy that impact daily life.

  • High-Functioning Depression

    For the person who is successful on paper but feels empty inside (Dysthymia).

  • Teen Depression

    Addressing withdrawal, academic drop-offs, irritability, and social isolation.

  • Situational Depression

    Sadness triggered by a specific event like a breakup, job loss, or big move.

  • Grief & Loss

    Processing the death of a loved one or a major life change.

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder

    Mood changes related to the seasons or lack of sunlight.

Depression Looks Different at Every Age

  • Teen Depression

    In teens, depression often looks like anger, rebellion, or spending hours alone in their room gaming or scrolling. We help teens verbalize what they are feeling so they don't have to act it out.

  • Adult Depression

    For adults, depression often manifests as burnout, "brain fog," or feeling disconnected from your partner and kids. We help you prioritize your own needs without guilt so you can show up for your life again.

FAQs

  • If your mood has been low for more than 2 weeks and it’s impacting your sleep, appetite, or ability to enjoy life, it is likely more than a funk. A consultation can help clarify this.

  • Not everyone does. For mild to moderate depression, therapy is often the first line of defense. For more severe cases, a combination of therapy and medication is the gold standard. We can refer you to trusted psychiatrists if needed.

  • Our therapists are skilled at working with reluctant teens. We don't force them to "spill their guts" immediately. We build trust by talking about their interests (music, games, friends) first.

  • Yes. Whether you are an adult or a teen, confidentiality is key to the process. We only break confidentiality if there is a safety risk (harm to self or others).

  • Yes. We know you are busy. While there is value to in-person sessions, we offer secure video therapy that you can do from home.

  • We are an out-of-network provider. This allows us to prioritize your privacy and care quality over insurance restrictions. We can provide a "Superbill" for you to submit to your PPO plan for potential reimbursement.

  • Your first step is to book a 15-minute complimentary consultation call with a member of our care team. You can schedule your call directly using this link. During this call, we will listen to your needs, answer your questions, and determine if our therapy approach is the right fit for you.

Meet our team

“The confidence and peace of mind this process gave us is priceless. I can't say enough good things about their work and absolutely recommend them.”

— JESSICA P

Your next step starts here.

You Don’t Have to White-Knuckle Through This.

Relief is possible. Reach out today to get matched with a therapist who can help. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation to see if our team is the right fit for you.

Book a free consultation