Depression
Depression Treatment in Louisville, KY
Depression is rarely the sadness people picture. More often it is flatness — work that used to be easy taking twice as long, mornings that start already tired, and a slow narrowing of the things you look forward to.
It is a treatable medical condition, not a character problem, and it responds to care. Our psychiatrists have been treating depression in Louisville since 2000.
01What it can look like
Common signs of depression
No one has all of these, and having several does not settle a diagnosis on its own. They are the pattern a clinician listens for.
- Low or empty mood most of the day, most days
- Losing interest in things that used to matter
- Sleeping far more or far less than usual
- Fatigue that rest does not fix
- Trouble concentrating or making ordinary decisions
- Appetite or weight changes
- Harsh self-criticism, guilt, or feeling like a burden
- Thoughts of death or of not wanting to be here
If you are having thoughts of suicide, you do not have to wait for an appointment. Call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text HOME to 741741, or call 911 if you are in immediate danger.
This page is general education, not medical advice, and it cannot diagnose you. An evaluation with a clinician can.
02How we treat it
Treatment at our Louisville practice
Start with a real evaluation
Your first visit is a full psychiatric evaluation with a physician or psychiatric nurse practitioner — history, sleep, medical conditions, substances, medications you have already tried and how each one went. Depression is often layered with thyroid disease, chronic pain, grief, or a medication side effect, and those change the plan.
Medication, adjusted to you
Antidepressants are not interchangeable, and neither is the dose. A trial that was stopped in two weeks, or never reached a therapeutic dose, was not a fair trial. We track response over time and adjust dose, timing, and combination rather than starting from zero each visit.
Therapy alongside it
For many people, medication and psychotherapy together do more than either alone. Our therapists and prescribers work in the same practice, so your plan is shared instead of split across two offices that never speak.
NeuroStar TMS when medication has not been enough
If you have tried antidepressants without adequate relief, transcranial magnetic stimulation is an in-office, non-drug, non-sedating option delivered right here on Newburg Road. Most insurers, including Medicare and TRICARE, cover TMS after a documented history of medication trials.
Spravato (esketamine) for treatment-resistant depression
Spravato is an FDA-approved esketamine nasal spray for adults with treatment-resistant depression, used together with an oral antidepressant. You self-administer it in our office under supervision and stay with us for at least two hours of monitoring afterward — it is never taken home, and you will need a ride home. Because we offer Spravato and TMS in the same practice, the choice between them is made by the provider who already knows your history.
What happens next
- 1Request an appointment online or call. You do not have to explain anything difficult on the phone.
- 2We verify your benefits and tell you the expected cost before your first visit.
- 3You are seen for a full evaluation at our Newburg Road office, or by secure Kentucky telehealth where appropriate.
Prefer to talk? Call (502) 454-8800. We respond within one business day.
Depression questions we hear often
How long before an antidepressant works?
Most people need four to six weeks at an adequate dose before the full effect is clear, though sleep and appetite often shift earlier. We schedule follow-up inside that window rather than leaving you alone with it.
I have tried two or three medications already. Is there anything left?
Yes. Partial response is common and it does not mean you are out of options. Depending on your history, next steps can include a different mechanism, an augmentation strategy, adding therapy, NeuroStar TMS, or Spravato (esketamine) used together with an oral antidepressant.
Do I have to take medication to be seen here?
No. Some patients come only for therapy. Others come for a medication opinion and decide against it. The plan is yours.
Can depression visits be done by video?
Many follow-ups can, as long as you are physically located in Kentucky at the time of the visit. TMS is in-office by nature.
Request an appointment
Tell us how to reach you and what you're looking for. We'll confirm your insurance, answer your questions, and find a time that works. No long intake before you hear from a person.
- We respond within one business day.
- Most insurance accepted, including TRICARE and Medicare.
- In-office visits on Newburg Road, plus telehealth.
