Is medication always necessary for mood disorders?

Medication is a highly effective tool, particularly for moderate to severe depression treatment and most cases of Bipolar Disorder. We follow evidence-based guidelines, but we always discuss options collaboratively. We view medication as a means to achieve stability so that therapy and lifestyle changes can take hold.

How is Bipolar Disorder treated differently at PSC?

Accurate diagnosis is essential for bipolar treatment. We utilize a careful combination of mood-stabilizing medication and skill-building therapies such as DBT to address challenges with emotional regulation. We also incorporate Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) to reduce interpersonal stressors and stabilize circadian physiology. Our focus is on relapse prevention and achieving sustained functional recovery.

What role does therapy play in Depression Treatment?

Therapy is central. Through CBT, mindfulness-based therapies, and deeper psychodynamic work when needed, therapy helps rebuild motivation, correct cognitive patterns, address grief or trauma, and support healthy habits.

How long does it take to see positive change?

Many people experience early relief within the first few weeks of stabilization. Long-term recovery is a gradual, step-by-step process focused on building sustainable routines that support staying well and preventing future episodes.

Treatment for Depression and Bipolar Disorder–Serving Durham, Chapel Hill & Raleigh, NC

In-person and Online Across North Carolina

NEW PATIENTS

“Depression feels like I’m walking through wet cement every day—everything takes effort, even the things I know I care about.”

Living with depression or bipolar disorder can make even the simplest parts of life feel heavy and effortful. You may find yourself working hard just to feel “normal,” only to end the day exhausted, discouraged, or unsure how to regain your footing. At Psychiatric Services & Consultation (PSC), we understand the complexity of mood disorders and offer a collaborative, nonjudgmental partnership to help you recover and sustain long-term wellness.

Our approach goes beyond reducing symptoms. We focus on the whole person — mind, body, and environment — and help you strengthen the routines, insight, and internal resources that support resilience. With thoughtful medication management, therapy, and health-focused support, we help you build a foundation you can rely on not just to feel better, but to stay well.

You deserve high-quality, personalized psychiatric care — delivered with precision, compassion, and a belief that full recovery is possible.

Evidence supports the combination of therapy and medication management for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder.

How Treatment for DEPRESSION & BIPOLAR DISORDER WORKS

We begin with a careful, comprehensive assessment of the biological, psychological, and social factors contributing to your symptoms — whether you’re experiencing low mood, loss of motivation, fatigue, emotional numbing, or difficulty functioning day-to-day.

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

Medication management guided by evidence-based psychiatric expertise
Therapy to address unconscious patterns, grief, trauma, or long-standing emotional barriers
Health coaching to strengthen routines around sleep, nutrition, movement, and daily structure
Behavioral strategies that help rebuild motivation, focus, and engagement
Lifestyle support to create lasting resilience

Psychotherapy plays an essential role in the treatment of depression. By uncovering hidden barriers, identifying long-standing habits that no longer serve you, and supporting emotional healing, therapy helps make space for renewed motivation, connection, and hope.

Our goal is not only to help you recover from depressive episodes — but to help you build a stable, meaningful life that supports your well-being over time.

Treatment-Resistant Depression

When depression doesn’t respond to standard therapies, it’s not a personal failing — it’s a signal to reassess.

PSC offers a comprehensive re-evaluation for individuals with treatment-resistant depression, exploring overlooked or complicating biological, psychological, or environmental factors. Working closely with you, we may:

Adjust medications with precision
Explore augmentation strategies or novel therapies
Integrate behavioral and coaching approaches that restore structure, energy, and purpose
Collaborate with trusted community partners for Ketamine, TMS, or ECT when indicated

This process is thoughtful, compassionate, and highly individualized. Our aim is to help you break through stagnation and regain movement toward recovery.

Bipolar Disorder

Our approach to bipolar disorder focuses on stability, self-awareness, and maintaining long-term remission. Because no two individuals experience bipolar disorder the same way, we work collaboratively to understand:

Your personal mood patterns
Triggers and early warning signs
Strengths and unique resilience factors
Life structure, routines, and environmental stressors

Treatment typically includes:

Expert medication management to ensure mood stabilization
Therapy and coaching to build emotional regulation skills and healthy routines
Education and monitoring to help you recognize shifts early and intervene proactively
Lifestyle strategies that promote balance and reduce relapse risk

Bipolar disorder is highly treatable, and long-term stability is absolutely within reach. Our goal is to support full remission and help you build a life that feels grounded, confident, and aligned with your values.

Healing takes time, and it begins with being seen, heard, and supported. At PSC, we believe recovery is possible for everyone, with lasting change unfolding one step at a time.

What we’ll work on

Our Integrative Approach:

Accurate psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
Expert medication management strategies
DBT-informed emotional regulation skills
CBT-based coping and behavioral activation strategies
Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) identify and reduce situational triggers by improving relationships and daily routines.
Strengthening lifestyle foundations for long-term wellness

Ready to feel grounded, empowered, and equipped with the tools you need to thrive?

We help you return to your baseline after a difficult episode — and then work with you to build the habits and supports that make long-term stability possible. Through knowledgeable psychiatric care, meaningful therapeutic work, and integrative health strategies, we aim to help you feel grounded, empowered, and better equipped to navigate life's challenges.

NEW PATIENTS

FAQS

Common questions about treatment for depression and bipolar disorder

Medication can be extremely helpful intreating moderate to severe depression and bipolar disorder. We follow evidence-based guidelines and approach all treatment options with our clients collaboratively. Medication is viewed as a tool that allows therapy and lifestyle changes to take hold more effectively.
Accurate diagnosis is paramount for bipolar treatment. We utilize a careful combination of mood-stabilizing medication and skill-building therapies like DBT to address the difficulties with emotional regulation that are common. We also use Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT) to reduce interpersonal stressors and stabilize circadian physiology. Our focus is on relapse prevention and sustained functional recovery.
Therapy is central. Through CBT, mindfulness-based therapies, and deeper psychodynamic exploration when needed, therapy helps rebuild motivation, correct cognitive patterns, address grief or trauma, and support healthy habits.
Many people experience early relief within the first few weeks of stabilization. Long-term recovery is a step-by-step process focused on building sustainable routines that support staying well and preventing future episodes.