When life feels harder to engage with
Depression can affect mood, thinking, sleep, appetite, and the ability to take part in everyday life. The National Institute of Mental Health describes it as more than a temporary period of feeling sad. Biological, psychological, and environmental factors can all contribute.
You do not need to determine the diagnosis on your own before seeking help. A consultation offers space to describe the change you have noticed, what it has meant for your life, and what you have already tried.
Understanding your particular experience
In the initial evaluation, Dr. Figueroa explores your present concerns, their course over time, prior treatment, relevant medical history, and your circumstances. The aim is to develop a useful understanding of the problem and discuss appropriate next steps.
Some people begin with a clear wish to address sadness or loss of motivation. Others are more concerned about withdrawal, recurring conflict, or a sense that their lives have become smaller. Your priorities help shape the conversation.
Psychotherapy as the center of the work
In this practice, treatment emphasizes psychotherapy. Sessions offer room to explore the thoughts, expectations, emotional conflicts, and relationship patterns involved in your experience. Practical changes and deeper understanding can both be part of the work.
We can examine what you expect of yourself, what happens when you feel disappointed or overwhelmed, and which aspects of daily life you would like to reconnect with. The treatment plan is tailored to the individual rather than a fixed sequence applied to everyone.
Considering medication together
If medication appears appropriate, Dr. Figueroa can discuss and manage it alongside your psychotherapy. The conversation includes its purpose, potential benefits and risks, and how its effects will be followed over time.
A consultation is also an opportunity to ask about alternatives and the reasoning behind a recommendation. No particular result or timeline can be promised; the plan should be reassessed as treatment unfolds.
Questions about this care
Do I need a diagnosis before booking?
No. You can request an evaluation because of concerns about your mood or functioning, even if you are unsure how to describe them.
Is medication required?
Medication is considered individually. The consultation is a place to discuss treatment options and the reasons for recommending them.
Further reading
National Institute of Mental Health: Depression
General educational information; personal treatment decisions belong in an individual consultation.