7 Highly Recommended Los Angeles Depression Therapy Specialists
Depression can leave you feeling stuck, isolated, and hopeless. At Yellow Chair Collective, we recognize the toll that depression can take—and we’ve also seen how supportive therapy can be in helping you feel like yourself again.
Our compassionate therapists create a space where you don’t have to pretend that you’re okay. We meet you exactly where you are and walk alongside you toward hope, healing, and reconnection with yourself. Here, we’ll introduce you to our team so you can find the right match for your healing journey and share more about our approach so you know what to expect.
Jump to a therapist
- Best for depression therapy for couples: Arnold Kim
- Best for depression therapy for teens: Alice Chien
- Best for depression therapy for neurodivergent individuals: Kony Das
- Best for depression therapy for men: David Yim
- Best for postpartum depression therapy: Esther Inwoo Kim
- Best for depression therapy for international students: Cynthia Mao
- Best for depression therapy related to grief and loss: Razdeep Kaur
If you’re not sure which therapist is right for you, please contact us directly so we can help you find a match.
Meet our depression therapists
Arnold Kim, MS
Best for depression therapy for couples
Arnold helps couples understand how depression affects their relationship and empowers both partners to feel seen and supported. Blending different methods like CBT, Gottman Method couples therapy, and psychodynamic therapy, Arnold brings a fresh perspective to helping couples reconnect when depression has created distance between them.
- Location: Arcadia, California
- Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
Alice Chien, MS
Best for depression therapy for teens
Alice specializes in helping BIPOC teens and young adults navigate depression alongside cultural identity, family expectations, and life transitions. Using an attachment-based approach, she helps young people identify unhelpful patterns, connect with their authentic selves, and build practical strategies for moving forward.
- Location: Arcadia, California
- Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
Kony Das, MSW
Best for depression therapy for neurodivergent individuals
With a background in neuroscience and psychobiology, Kony helps neurodivergent people understand how their brain works and develop strategies that actually fit their unique wiring. She creates a judgment-free zone where ADHD, autism, and depression are understood as interconnected experiences deserving of compassionate, informed care.
- Location: Arcadia, California
- Virtual therapy?: Yes, in addition to in-person
David Yim, DSW, LCSW
Best for depression therapy for men
With over 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Yim offers a grounded, non-judgmental approach to help men address depression, burnout, and identity-related struggles without the weight of cultural stigma. His approach combines clinical depth with a genuine understanding of the unique pressures facing men, particularly Asian American men, today.
- Location: California (online)
- Virtual therapy?: Yes
Esther Inwoo Kim, MSW
Best for postpartum depression therapy
Esther brings her background as a former nurse and program director to support mothers experiencing depression during pregnancy and postpartum. She offers a compassionate space where you can explore the emotional shifts of motherhood while developing practical coping tools that honor your mind-body-spirit connection.
- Location: California (online)
- Virtual therapy?: Yes
Cynthia Mao, MSW
Best for depression therapy for international students
Cynthia understands the unique challenges of navigating depression while balancing between different cultures and identities. Offering therapy in both English and Mandarin, she helps international students and those experiencing cultural adjustment explore feelings of loneliness, helplessness, and disconnection while building meaningful pathways forward.
- Location: California (online)
- Virtual therapy?: Yes
Razdeep Kaur, MSW
Best for depression therapy related to grief and loss
Razdeep offers unconditional support for Highly Sensitive People (HSP) and empaths experiencing depression alongside grief and loss. Drawing on both Eastern and Western practices, she helps you honor your deep capacity for feeling while developing boundaries and tools for managing overwhelming emotions.
- Location: California (online)
- Virtual therapy?: Yes
How to choose the best depression therapist for you
Finding the right therapist is deeply personal, and it’s about more than credentials or specialties. Consider these factors as you explore your options:
- Cultural understanding: Does the therapist share or understand your cultural background and how it intersects with your experience of depression?
- Therapeutic approach: Are you drawn to talk therapy, body-based work like EMDR, or a blend of modalities?
- Specific needs: Do you need support for perinatal depression, neurodivergent-affirming care, or depression within your relationship?
- Connection: Does reading their bio make you feel seen and hopeful about working together?
The most important factor is whether you feel you can be authentic with this person. If you’re unsure which therapist is a match for you, contact us so we can speak directly and connect you with the right fit.
What sets our practice apart from other Los Angeles depression treatment providers
Yellow Chair Collective goes beyond what traditional therapy practices tend to offer. We’re an intentional collective built on cultural responsiveness, authentic connection, and honoring the whole you. Here’s what makes us different:
- Culturally responsive care: Our therapists deeply understand how culture, identity, and family dynamics intersect with depression.
- Diverse, multilingual team: Our multicultural team offers therapy in multiple languages so you can feel comfortable bringing your whole self into session.
- Trauma-informed approach: We understand depression rarely exists in isolation, and we address the root causes with compassion.
- Community-oriented: We’re committed to bridging gaps in mental health care for multicultural and immigrant communities.
- Flexible options: We offer virtual therapy across California, with some in-person availability in Los Angeles County.
- Insurance accepted: We accept insurance, including Aetna and Cigna, to make getting care as accessible as possible.
Whether you’re navigating depression for the first time or returning to therapy after a break, we’re here to meet you where you are and walk alongside you toward hope and healing.
How depression therapy can help
- Understand the root causes of your depression rather than just managing symptoms
- Develop practical coping tools for managing difficult days and breaking negative thought cycles
- Process past experiences and trauma that may be contributing to your current depression
- Improve your relationships by learning to communicate your needs and set healthy boundaries
- Reconnect with your values and rediscover what brings meaning and joy to your life
- Address co-occurring issues like anxiety, trauma, grief, or burnout that often accompany depression
- Build self-compassion and release shame around struggling with your mental health
- Create sustainable change through understanding how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interconnect
FAQs about therapy for depression
How do I know if I'm depressed or just sad?
Sadness is a natural emotion that typically passes, while depression is persistent and affects your daily functioning. If you’ve experienced low mood, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, fatigue, or feelings of worthlessness for two weeks or more, it may be depression. A therapist can help you understand what you’re experiencing—you don’t need an existing diagnosis to get started.
What is the most effective therapy for depression?
There’s not just one “most effective” treatment for depression—the right approach depends on your unique background, symptoms, needs, and goals. Our therapists are trained in multiple methods, including CBT, ACT, DBT, IFS, and EMDR. We use an integrative approach that blends different practices to best support your individual journey.
Can depression be treated without medication?
Yes, therapy alone can be highly effective for treating depression, especially mild to moderate cases. However, for some individuals, a combination of therapy and medication may be most beneficial. We’ll work with you to explore what feels right for your unique situation.
Will insurance pay for depression therapy?
Yes, most insurance plans cover depression therapy. We are in-network with several insurance providers, including Aetna and Cigna, though we recommend contacting your provider directly to understand your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs.