Compassionate, Culturally Responsive Therapy for Depression
Living with depression can feel like moving through life in slow motion—like something vital has dimmed, making even everyday tasks feel overwhelming. If you’re struggling with persistent sadness, low energy, hopelessness, or a sense of disconnection from yourself or others, you’re not alone. Depression affects people from all walks of life, including many high-achieving, deeply caring individuals who often feel pressure to keep going, even when things don’t feel okay inside.
​
As a California-based therapist, I specialize in helping multicultural individuals, first-generation Americans, and people navigating complex identities work through depression in a safe, affirming space.
How Depression Shows Up
Depression doesn’t always look like crying or staying in bed all day. Sometimes, it shows up as:
-
Chronic fatigue or burnout
-
Irritability, anger, or emotional numbness
-
Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
-
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
-
Changes in sleep or appetite
-
Guilt, shame, or a harsh inner critic
-
Feeling like you’re just “going through the motions”
It may also include thoughts like “I should be fine,” “What’s wrong with me?” or “No one would understand.” These thoughts are symptoms—not reflections of your worth. Therapy can help you explore the roots of these experiences and begin to reconnect with hope, purpose, and a sense of self.
Why Seek Depression Treatment?
Many people wait longer than they need to before seeking therapy for depression, especially those from cultures or communities where emotional struggles are minimized or stigmatized. You might feel like you’re supposed to be strong, hold it all together, or avoid burdening others.
​
Therapy offers you something radically different: a space that’s just for you. A place to unpack your emotions, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and develop tools to move forward—without judgment.
​
Whether you’re dealing with a recent loss, the weight of cultural expectations, burnout, or long-standing feelings of worthlessness, getting help is a sign of strength—not weakness.
My approach integrates:
-
Relational Therapy: We explore how your early relationships, current support systems, and sense of belonging affect how you experience yourself today.
-
Mindfulness & Self-Compassion: We’ll work on softening the inner critic and cultivating practices that ground you in the present.
-
Trauma-Informed Care: If your depression is rooted in past wounds, we’ll move at your pace to create a safe space for healing.
-
Culturally Sensitive Therapy: As a first-generation Iranian-American, I understand the complexities of navigating family, identity, and cultural expectations. You won’t have to explain the nuances of growing up between worlds—I’ll meet you there.
Depression and Cultural Identity
For many clients I work with, depression is entangled with cultural identity and intergenerational dynamics. You might be carrying expectations of success, caretaking, or perfectionism passed down through generations. Or perhaps you’re grieving the gap between who you are and who you were expected to be.
​
Depression can also be exacerbated by racial, gender, or cultural marginalization. If you’ve ever felt invisible, misunderstood, or “not enough” in your community or in therapy, you deserve a space that truly sees and affirms you.
How Therapy Can Help
Therapy for depression isn’t a quick fix—but it is a powerful, supportive process where you don’t have to go it alone. Over time, you may find:
-
A clearer understanding of your patterns and emotional landscape
-
Greater self-compassion and internal validation
-
Relief from the weight of isolation, shame, or “shoulds”
-
Tools for managing overwhelm and building emotional resilience
-
A deeper connection to what truly matters to you
Together, we’ll work toward building a life that feels aligned and meaningful—not just bearable.
If you’re reading this, something inside you is already reaching for support—and that’s worth honoring. You don’t need to wait for things to get “bad enough” to start therapy. If you’re feeling stuck, numb, or exhausted, that’s reason enough to reach out.
I offer depression counseling for individuals across California, including multicultural adults, first-generation professionals, and LGBTQ+ folks who may feel overlooked in traditional therapy settings.
You’re not broken. You’re human. And meaningful change is possible.
Let’s Connect
If you’re ready to begin or curious to learn more, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. I’d be honored to support you in creating a life that feels more connected and aligned.