Depression Therapy in Fair Oaks and the Greater Sacramento Area | Sequoia Counseling
Depression Therapy
Compassionate, evidence-based support for adults and teens in Fair Oaks, the greater Sacramento area, and throughout California via telehealth.
Understanding Depression
When Everything Feels Heavy
Depression is not simply sadness — and it is not a sign of weakness. It can feel like low motivation, emotional numbness, withdrawal from the people and activities you once cared about, persistent hopelessness, or simply going through the motions without feeling present in your own life.
Common experiences include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, low self-worth, feeling disconnected from others, and a loss of interest in things that used to bring joy. Depression affects adults and teens, and it responds well to compassionate, evidence-based care.
Common Experiences
You May Recognize Some of These
Depression shows up differently for everyone. If any of these feel familiar, you are not alone — and support is available.
"You don't have to face this alone. Healing is possible — and it starts with one conversation."
— The Sequoia Counseling Team
How We Help
Therapeutic Approaches for Depression
We draw from a range of evidence-based modalities so your care is always personalized — never one-size-fits-all.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Identifies and reshapes negative thought patterns to improve emotional regulation and behavior.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Builds skills in mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT)
Cultivates self-compassion and reduces shame through a warm, accepting therapeutic relationship.
Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART)
A brief, evidence-based therapy that rapidly processes traumatic memories using eye movements.
Brainspotting
Uses the visual field to locate and process trauma stored in the subcortical brain.
EFT / Tapping
Emotional Freedom Techniques combine cognitive reframing with acupressure tapping to reduce distress.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches
Cultivates present-moment awareness to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress.
Trauma-Informed Care
All services are delivered through a trauma-informed lens that prioritizes safety, trust, and empowerment.
Starting Therapy
What to Expect in Depression Therapy
When depression is making everything feel heavy, the idea of starting therapy can itself feel like too much. Here is what the process actually looks like — so you can take that first step knowing what to expect.
Your first session is about being heard
We start by getting to know you — what you are experiencing, how long it has been going on, and what you hope therapy can offer. There is no pressure to have answers. Your therapist will guide the conversation.
Understanding what is maintaining your depression
Depression is rarely just one thing. Early sessions help identify the patterns — thought cycles, behavioral withdrawal, nervous system dysregulation, or unprocessed experiences — that are keeping you stuck.
Building momentum through small shifts
You will begin making small, sustainable changes — behavioral activation, cognitive tools, somatic practices — that start to shift your mood and energy. Progress is gradual and real.
Deeper work and reconnecting with yourself
As therapy progresses, the work can go deeper — addressing underlying beliefs, relational patterns, or past experiences that contribute to depression. Most clients notice meaningful improvement within 10–20 sessions.
Typical Session Structure
Session length
53–60 minutes, typically once per week
First 1–3 sessions
Getting to know you, understanding your history, and setting goals together
Sessions 4–12
Active skill-building, pattern exploration, and beginning to shift mood and energy
Ongoing sessions
Deeper processing, consolidating gains, and preparing for a confident transition out of therapy
Timeline
Many clients notice meaningful improvement within 10–20 sessions; some benefit from longer-term support
Between sessions
Small, manageable practices to reinforce what you are learning — never overwhelming homework
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does depression feel like?+
Depression can look different for everyone. Common experiences include persistent low mood, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep or appetite, feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, and emotional numbness or disconnection. You do not need to feel "bad enough" to seek support.
Can therapy help with depression?+
Yes. Research consistently shows that therapy — particularly CBT, DBT, and somatic approaches — is effective for depression. Therapy helps you understand the patterns maintaining your depression, develop practical coping skills, process underlying experiences, and reconnect with a sense of meaning and energy.
Do you treat depression in teens?+
Yes. We work with adolescents and teens experiencing depression, including low mood, withdrawal, school difficulties, and emotional dysregulation. Our therapists adapt evidence-based approaches to be developmentally appropriate for younger clients.
Is depression therapy available via telehealth?+
Yes. We offer secure telehealth therapy for depression to clients located anywhere in California. Research shows telehealth therapy is as effective as in-person care for depression. Many clients find the comfort of their own home supports the therapeutic process.
Do you accept insurance for depression therapy?+
Yes. We accept most major insurance plans including United Healthcare, Blue Shield, Sutter Health Plus, Carelon, and Optum. Contact our care coordinator to verify your specific benefits before your first appointment.
How much does depression therapy cost, and what will my insurance cover?+
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your specific plan. Most clients with in-network insurance pay a copay or coinsurance — typically between $20 and $60 per session after their deductible is met. Our care coordinator will verify your benefits before your first session so you know exactly what to expect. See our fees and insurance page for full details.
What should I bring to my first depression therapy session?+
Just yourself. All intake paperwork and insurance information is collected through our client portal, SimplePractice, before your first appointment — there is nothing to bring or prepare. Your therapist will guide the conversation at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
How do I use my insurance for therapy at Sequoia Counseling?+
When you reach out, our care coordinator verifies your insurance benefits and explains your coverage before your first session. We bill your insurer directly. If you have a deductible, you pay the full session rate until it is met, then your copay or coinsurance applies. We accept United Healthcare, Blue Shield, Sutter Health Plus, Carelon, Optum, and Aetna.
Related Services
Depression Often Appears Alongside
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
Reach out today to schedule your first appointment. We're here to support you every step of the way.