Depression treatment in Miami Florida
Santana Mental Health Services provides comprehensive anxiety evaluations and individualized treatment plans for adolescents and adults. Our providers use evidence-based psychotherapy and medication management, the two approaches with the strongest clinical support, to help patients reduce symptoms, regain functioning, and improve quality of life. Care is available both in-office and through secure telehealth services.
Understanding Depression
Anxiety disorders often begin in childhood or adolescence (median age of onset is 11 years) and tend to follow a chronic course if left untreated. They frequently co-occur with depression, substance use disorders, and medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal disorders.
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
The most common form of clinical depression, characterized by persistent low mood or loss of interest in activities, along with changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and self-worth. A major depressive episode lasts at least two weeks, though most episodes last considerably longer. MDD affects roughly 1 in 5 adults over a lifetime.
Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
A chronic form of depression in which low mood and related symptoms persist for two years or more. Symptoms may be less intense than in a major depressive episode but are long-lasting and can significantly impair daily functioning.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome involving significant mood changes, irritability, hopelessness, and anxiety that occur during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and resolve shortly after menstruation begins. PMDD affects an estimated 3–8% of women of reproductive age.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
A pattern of depressive episodes that recur at the same time each year, most commonly during fall and winter months when daylight hours are shorter. Symptoms typically include low energy, oversleeping, increased appetite, and social withdrawal.
Depression with anxious distress
Many people with depression also experience prominent anxiety symptoms such as restlessness, difficulty concentrating due to worry, fear that something terrible will happen, or feeling tense and on edge. This combined presentation is common and may require a tailored treatment approach.
Peripartum depression
Depression that occurs during pregnancy or in the weeks and months following childbirth. It goes beyond typical "baby blues" and can interfere with a parent's ability to care for themselves and their baby. Screening is recommended during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
When to Seek an Evaluation
Consider scheduling an evaluation if depressive symptoms are persistent and interfere with your ability to function at work, in relationships, or in daily activities. Common signs include:
• Persistent sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness most of the day, nearly every day
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities you used to enjoy
• Significant changes in appetite or weight (increase or decrease)
• Sleeping too much or too little
• Fatigue or loss of energy nearly every day
• Difficulty concentrating, thinking clearly, or making decisions
• Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
• Withdrawal from friends, family, or social activities
• Thoughts of death or suicide
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) or go to your nearest emergency room.
How Depression Is Treated
Effective depression treatment is built on two pillars: psychotherapy and medication management. Treatment is personalized based on symptom severity, patient preferences, co-occurring conditions, and prior treatment history.
Therapy for Depression
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CBT is the most widely studied psychotherapy for depression. A typical course may last about 6 to 16 sessions, though treatment length is adjusted based on individual needs.
CBT can help you:
• Identify and challenge negative thought patterns that fuel depression
• Re-engage in activities that bring pleasure or a sense of accomplishment
• Develop practical coping skills for managing low mood and motivation
• Interrupt cycles of withdrawal and avoidance
CBT often includes behavioral activation, which focuses on gradually increasing engagement in meaningful and rewarding activities.
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Interpersonal therapy, or IPT, focuses on improving the quality of relationships and social functioning. It is especially helpful when depression is connected to grief, life transitions, relationship conflict, or social isolation. A typical course involves 12 to 16 sessions.
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Behavioral activation is a structured approach that helps patients overcome withdrawal and inactivity by scheduling positive activities and building daily routines. Research shows it can be as effective as CBT for many patients with depression.
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Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, or MBCT, combines mindfulness meditation with cognitive therapy techniques. It is particularly effective for preventing relapse in patients who have experienced multiple depressive episodes.
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Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and emotional conflicts may contribute to depression. Research supports short-term psychodynamic therapy as an effective treatment, and it may be appropriate when depression is connected to longstanding emotional or relational patterns.
Medication for Depression
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The most commonly recommended first-line medications for depression include:
• SSRIs, such as sertraline or escitalopram
• SNRIs, such as venlafaxine or duloxetine
• Bupropion
• Mirtazapine
These medications are widely studied and commonly used to treat major depressive disorder. Among SSRIs, escitalopram and sertraline are often highlighted for their favorable balance of effectiveness and tolerability.
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Antidepressant medications do not usually work immediately.
Some patients begin noticing improvement within 2 weeks, but full relief of symptoms may take 8 to 12 weeks at an adequate dose.
Some people experience early side effects, such as:
• Nausea
• Headache
• Sleep changes (insomnia or drowsiness)
• Appetite changes
These side effects often improve within the first one to two weeks. Providers typically start with a lower dose and increase gradually to minimize side effects.
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For patients who respond well, continuing medication for at least 6 to 12 months after remission is generally recommended to reduce the risk of relapse.
For patients with a history of multiple episodes, severe symptoms, or prolonged depression, longer-term maintenance treatment of two years or more may be appropriate.
Stopping medication too early can increase the chance that symptoms return. Your provider can help you decide when and how to taper medication safely.
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For many patients, the best results come from combining therapy and medication.
Therapy helps build long-term coping skills and addresses the underlying patterns that contribute to depression, while medication can reduce symptom intensity and make it easier to participate in treatment.
Your provider will work with you to choose a treatment plan that fits your symptoms, goals, and preferences.
Telehealth for Depression Treatment
Depression evaluations and follow-up appointments are available through secure telehealth. Research shows that therapy delivered via video can achieve similar symptom improvement, patient satisfaction, and therapeutic connection as in-person care for depression.
Take the next step toward feeling better. Book a secure telehealth appointment today and get support from the comfort of home, on a schedule that works for you.
Frequently asked questions
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
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Yes. Depression is a well-established medical condition recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). It involves changes in brain chemistry, neural circuitry, and stress-response systems and is among the most treatable mental health conditions.
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Yes. Many patients with mild-to-moderate depression achieve significant improvement with psychotherapy alone, particularly CBT, interpersonal therapy, or behavioral activation. Medication is recommended when symptoms are moderate to severe, when therapy alone has not been sufficient, or based on patient preference. Treatment decisions are always individualized.
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Without treatment, depression tends to follow a chronic and recurring course. Research shows that short-term remission from untreated depression is uncommon, with only about 12% of people remitting without treatment within 12 weeks. Untreated depression is associated with worsening functional impairment, higher rates of anxiety and substance use, increased cardiovascular risk, and greater risk of suicide.
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This varies by individual. CBT typically involves 6 to 16 sessions, with many patients noticing improvement within the first several weeks. Medication, if prescribed, may begin to show effects within 2 weeks, with full benefits developing over 8 to 12 weeks. After remission, continuing treatment for at least 6 to 12 months is generally recommended to prevent relapse. Some patients benefit from longer-term treatment.
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Yes. Both initial evaluations and ongoing follow-up appointments are available through secure video telehealth. Clinical research supports that telehealth-delivered therapy achieves similar outcomes to in-person care for depression.
Important Notice
This page is for educational purposes only and should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any mental health condition. If you are experiencing symptoms or concerns, a professional evaluation can help clarify what you may be experiencing and what treatment options may be appropriate. Santana Mental Health Services is here to offer compassionate care, guidance, and support.
Medically reviewed by: Mailyn Santana, MD, DABPN
Clinical review: Child, Adolescent, Adult & Addiction Psychiatry
Last reviewed: April 13th, 2026
Written by: Santana Mental Health Services Editorial Team
Sources: JAMA Psychiatry, The Lancet, Bipolar Disorders, Department of Veterans Affairs, The Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, Journal of Affective Disorders, Psychological Medicine, British Journal of Psychiatry, Evidence-Based Nephrology, Journal of Clinical Nursing, Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, Depression and Anxiety, JAMA Internal Medicine, Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, JAMA Psychiatry
Disclaimer: Educational only; not a substitute for professional evaluation.