What We Treat
Depression
Living with depression shouldn’t mean living without hope. At PSI, we offer structured, science-backed care for people navigating depression — delivered with empathy, clarity, and clinical expertise.
Understanding Depression
Depression affects more than 21 million people in the U.S. each year, cutting across age, gender, race, and income level. It doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes, it looks like numbness. Like going through the motions. Like not recognizing yourself anymore.
You’ve tried the meds. You’ve done the therapy. But depression still keeps you stuck, disconnected, or exhausted. That’s where we come in — with care that’s honest, structured, and built for complexity.
Common symptoms of depression include:
Persistent sadness or low mood
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities
Fatigue or low energy
Changes in sleep or appetite
Irritability, anxiety, or hopelessness
Difficulty concentrating
Thoughts of death or suicide
Physical aches and social withdrawal
If these symptoms persist for two weeks or longer and interfere with your ability to function, professional support can help.
Standard treatments (like SSRIs, cognitive behavioral therapy, and lifestyle changes) can work well for many. But for those living with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), traditional options are often not enough. That’s why PSI offers additional, evidence-informed approaches like ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and clinical trials for psilocybin and other emerging treatments
How PSI Approaches Depression
We know people are much more than their symptoms.. We support people through complex stories with care that’s structured, human, and safe.
At PSI and our TRIP Clinics, care is delivered by licensed clinicians trained in psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychedelic-assisted treatment. Whether you're engaging in treatment or a clinical trial, we use science-backed protocols, prepare you thoroughly, and stay connected through integration and follow-up.
PSI is one of only a few research-forward clinics in the country actively conducting psychedelic trials for depression, including treatment-resistant forms. We’re poised to be among the first to offer these new and innovative treatments pending FDA approval in the coming years.
Care Options at PSI
Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine is the only legal psychedelic currently available for medical treatment in the US outside of trials. At PSI, ketamine is used as a catalyst to facilitate a more holistic healing experience in tandem with psychotherapy conducted by therapists specially trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
KAP may help if you’ve:
- Tried multiple antidepressants or psychotherapies without success
- Struggled with suicidal thoughts or emotional flatness
- Experienced trauma-related depressive symptoms
Depression can make it hard to talk, let alone hope. But sometimes, naming what’s going on with someone trained to listen can be the first shift. At PSI, our therapists specialize in innovative treatment approaches for depression, including transpersonal, psychodynamic, and interpersonal therapies. Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just tired of feeling nothing at all, therapy offers a place to explore, process, and begin again, all with support you can trust.
There’s no shame in needing medication, and no benefit to being on the wrong one. Our psychiatric team provides thoughtful, individualized medication management for depression, especially if you’ve tried other prescriptions without success. We don’t rush decisions. We take time to understand your story, past treatments, and current needs, so we can recommend options that align with your goals and support your well-being.
If you’ve experienced depression-shifting moments through psychedelics — legally or otherwise — you might be left with insights you don’t know how to apply, or feelings you didn’t expect. Our integration therapists create a judgment-free space to help you process those experiences, connect them to your life, and share challenges and insights into the potential for personal transformation that they offer. No pressure. Just grounded support.
Clinical Trials
We’re currently enrolling participants for several depression-focused studies, including:
- LSD for Major Depression – MindMed Phase 3
- Psilocybin for Major Depression – Usona Phase 3
- 5-MeO-DMT for Treatment-Resistant Depression - Atai Phase 2
These trials are designed with participant safety, consent, and dignity at the center. All sessions are therapist-supported, and all study visits are provided at no cost to participants.
What to Expect
We walk you through every step before you decide anything.
- Consultation: Speak with a licensed provider to assess your history and goals.
- Intake: We review your symptoms, background, medications, and eligibility.
- Preparation: Learn what to expect during treatment or a trial, and meet your care team.
- Care Sessions: Sessions are guided, supervised, and adapted to your needs.
- Integration & Follow-Up: We help you make meaning of your experience and stay supported.
FAQs About Depression
Depression is often multifactorial — shaped by genetics, trauma, chronic stress, medical issues, and chemical imbalances. Sometimes, there’s no clear cause. That doesn’t make it any less real.
Our clinicians conduct a comprehensive evaluation, including mental health history, current symptoms, prior treatments, and medical factors. We tailor your care plan based on this evaluation.
Many people come to us after years of therapy and medication with little relief. Our options, including KAP and psychedelic clinical trials, offer different mechanisms that may open new opportunities for healing.
All therapies offered are provided by licensed healthcare professionals and adhere to rigorous safety and consent protocols. Ketamine has been on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines since 1985 due to its safety profile. Other psychedelic therapies are currently available only through trials.
Take the Next Step
You don’t have to be sure. Just open to learning more.
If you’re feeling stuck, or are ready to explore new options, reach out. Whether it’s treatment, a clinical trial, or simply the chance to learn more, we’re here to support you.
See what care is right for you