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Finding Depression Treatment
A guide to finding care for depression — therapy, medication, and more intensive options — including who provides it and how to take the first step.
Options for depression care
- Primary care: screening, physical health checks, medication and referrals.
- Therapists: CBT, behavioral activation and interpersonal therapy are well-supported. See therapy for depression.
- Psychiatry: medication management, especially for moderate to severe or complex depression.
- Intensive options: partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient programs when more support is needed.
Taking the first step when motivation is low
Depression can make reaching out feel hard. It may help to ask someone you trust to help you book an appointment, or to start with a brief call to your doctor’s office.
Next steps
Learn about depression, antidepressants, or compare online depression treatment.
Best Online Depression Treatment — What to Compare
Comparing online therapy and psychiatry options for depression.
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When to seek professional help
Consider talking with a doctor or licensed mental health professional if symptomslast for more than two weeks, keep coming back, or make it harder to manage work, school, relationships or daily tasks. You don’t need to wait until things feel severe — getting support early often makes things easier.
If you’re thinking about harming yourself or are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. In the US, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).Crisis resources in other countries.
Explore care optionsReferences
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About this article
Written by
ExploreMentalHealth Editorial Team
Our editors research and write every article using government health agencies, professional medical organizations and peer-reviewed research, following our published editorial standards.
- First published
- September 17, 2026
- Last updated
- September 23, 2026
- Last medically reviewed
- Review pending