Depression doesn't always look like sadness. Sometimes it looks like going flat — losing interest in things that used to matter, running on autopilot, or feeling like you're watching your own life from a slight distance. I'm Samar Farange, a licensed therapist based in Seattle, offering online depression therapy to adults across Washington state, in English or Farsi.
A lot of people wait a long time before reaching out, because depression is good at convincing you that nothing will help, or that you don't deserve the effort. Neither of those things has to be true for you to start.
We start by separating what's actually depression from what's a reasonable response to a hard situation — they often get tangled together, and they call for different approaches. From there, the work is usually a mix of understanding what's underneath the low mood and rebuilding small, specific reasons to engage with your life again, at a pace that doesn't ask too much of you too soon.
What's the difference between depression and just being really stressed?
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Stress usually lifts when the situation changes. Depression tends to persist, color how you see yourself and the future, and show up even when things are going okay on paper. If you're not sure which you're dealing with, that's a reasonable thing to bring to the first call.
Do you prescribe medication?
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No — I'm a therapist, not a prescriber. If medication seems worth exploring, I'll talk through that with you and can help you find a psychiatric provider to coordinate with.
If this sounds familiar, the first 20-minute call is free, and there's no pressure to continue after it.
Book a free 20-minute consult