When is it depression?
Everyone has low days. Depression is different in how long it lasts and how much it takes over. Clinicians typically look for symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, including either a persistently low mood or a loss of interest or pleasure in most activities. Common symptoms include:
- A persistent sad, anxious, or "empty" mood
- Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy
- Fatigue or low energy, and changes in sleep or appetite
- Trouble concentrating or making decisions
- Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
- Irritability — especially common in teens
- Unexplained aches and pains
If you are having thoughts of death or suicide, call or text 988 right away, or call 911 in an emergency. VeraMind is not an emergency service, and you don't need to wait for an appointment to reach out for help.
The free PHQ-9 self-test can help you see where you are. It is a screening tool, not a diagnosis.
Depression rarely travels alone
It often overlaps with anxiety, sleep problems, hormonal changes, and medical conditions — and each of those changes what good treatment looks like. Jacque is board-certified in both psychiatric-mental health and family practice, so your physical health, current medications, and life context are part of the picture, not an afterthought. For teens, depression can look like irritability, withdrawal, or a drop in school performance rather than visible sadness.
What your first appointment looks like
The first visit is a 60-minute video evaluation. We talk through your symptoms and how they've affected your work, relationships, and daily life; any past episodes and what helped; your sleep, substance use, and medical history; every medication and supplement you take; and your family history. We also ask about any periods of unusually high energy or decreased need for sleep, because that history affects which treatments are safest. You leave with a plan you understand.
Treatment options
Medication, personalized
Depression is typically treated with psychotherapy, medication, or both. When antidepressants are a good fit, they generally take time — usually four to eight weeks — to work, and sleep, appetite, and concentration often improve before mood does. We choose a medication around your symptoms, health history, and other medications, then check in regularly so adjustments happen early. Teens and young adults are followed especially closely in the first weeks of treatment, as recommended by the FDA. Never stop an antidepressant abruptly; your clinician can taper it safely. Every prescribing decision is individualized and made after a full evaluation — not on request. How medication management works →
Supportive psychotherapy, built into your visits
Practical skills from cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused and mindfulness-based approaches are woven into your medication visits. VeraMind does not offer standalone therapy; if you'd like weekly therapy, we'll coordinate with a therapist and help you find one.
Sleep, routine, and support
We have an honest conversation about sleep, daily structure, alcohol, activity, and the people around you. These changes work best alongside treatment, not instead of it.
How telehealth visits work
Visits take place by secure video from a private space. Prescriptions, when appropriate, are sent electronically to your pharmacy, and follow-ups are focused 30-minute check-ins on what's improving and what isn't. You must be physically located in Alabama during each visit. More about telehealth psychiatry in Alabama →
Cost and insurance
The first visit is a 60-minute evaluation at a fixed self-pay rate of $259, and follow-up visits are 30 minutes at $129. Commercial insurance is accepted through Headway (Aetna, Cigna/Evernorth, Carelon Behavioral Health, Curative, and select Blue Cross plans), and Headway verifies your eligibility and estimated cost before your appointment. Superbills are available for out-of-network reimbursement. VeraMind is not enrolled with Medicare or Alabama Medicaid and is unable to accept patients covered by either, and we do not offer sliding-scale fee programs or financial hardship applications. See full pricing and insurance details →