- Online & In-Person Sessions Available in Newhall-Santa Clarita, Los Angeles & Studio City
Depression Therapist in Santa Clarita, CA
Guiding You Toward Brighter Days
Welcome, I'm Julia.
I’m Julia Schwab, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT #104811) and a depression therapist based in Santa Clarita with over a decade of experience. I specialize in helping adults, including LGBTQIA+ folks, navigate depression, anxiety, trauma, and identity challenges through compassionate, evidence-based therapy.
My work is rooted in an intersectional, affirming approach to therapy that honors your lived experience and the unique challenges that may shape your mental health.
Whether you’re feeling emotionally exhausted, disconnected from yourself, overwhelmed by daily life, or simply not feeling like yourself lately, therapy can be a space to slow down, process what’s going on beneath the surface, and begin reconnecting with yourself again.
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed care to help clients better understand how their past experiences shape their present. Whether you’re new to therapy or returning after time away, I meet you exactly where you are.
Office Locations
Newhall-Santa Clarita Office
24509 Walnut St Ste. 201,
Newhall, CA 91321
(818) 646-7921
Los Angeles Office
566 S. San Vicente Blvd STE 101
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 483-4225
Studio City Office
11712 Moorpark St suite 101
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 646-7921
Have questions?Call or Schedule a Consultation
What Is Therapy for Depression?
Depression therapy offers a space to slow down and look honestly at what’s been building beneath the surface, the patterns, experiences, and emotional weight that may be showing up as persistent sadness, exhaustion, numbness, or a quiet sense that things won’t get better.
Depression is rarely just “feeling sad.” It can look like losing interest in things that used to matter, snapping at people you love, sleeping too much or not at all, or going through the motions of your day, feeling completely disconnected from it.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 21 million adults in the U.S. had at least one major depressive episode — and you don’t have to be in crisis to deserve support
As a depression therapist in Santa Clarita, CA, I work to understand not just your symptoms, but the full picture of who you are and what you’ve been carrying. My approach to depression treatment draws on evidence-based modalities — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, and trauma-informed care — not as a formula, but as a toolkit we draw from based on what actually helps you.
Over time, that work can help you build healthier coping strategies, shift the patterns that keep depression feeling so heavy, and find your way back to yourself.
I offer both in-person sessions across Santa Clarita, Newhall, Los Angeles, and Studio City, as well as online depression therapy for clients throughout California. Wherever you are in your journey, there’s a place for you here.
“You say you’re ‘depressed’ – all I see is resilience. You are allowed to feel messed up and inside out. It doesn’t mean you’re defective – it just means you’re human.”- David Mitchell
Major Depression
Major depression isn't just a rough patch; it's a persistent heaviness that settles in regardless of what's happening around you. You might feel low for weeks or months without a clear reason, which can make it even harder to ask for help. It is one of the most common types of depression I work with in my Santa Clarita practice.
Bipolar Depression
The depressive episodes in bipolar disorder can be some of the deepest and most disorienting, made even more confusing by periods where things felt okay — or even good. That contrast can make it difficult to trust your own experience, or to reach out when you're struggling. Therapy works alongside any medical treatment you're receiving to help you make sense of those cycles and build steadier ground.
Situational Depression
This is also known as adjustment disorder with depressed mood. It's very similar to major depression in its symptoms. The key difference is that this type is triggered by a specific event or situation, for example, the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a life-threatening event.
In-Person & Online Compassionate Depression Therapist in Santa Clarita, CA
Finding a depression therapist in Santa Clarita who truly understands your experience, not just the symptoms, can make all the difference. My practice is built on safety, inclusion, and a genuine commitment to your growth, not just symptom management.
I work with adults from all walks of life, with a particular focus on LGBTQIA+ individuals and members of marginalized communities who have historically struggled to find affirming, competent care. Your identity, your history, and your lived experience are not separate from your depression — they’re part of it. And they belong in the room.
In our sessions, we focus on reframing the patterns and root causes underneath the depression, not just managing how it shows up day to day. This is real work, and it requires courage. But the shifts it creates are lasting: reduced depressive episodes, better sleep, stronger relationships, clearer thinking, and a more grounded sense of who you are.
Whether we meet online or in person, this is a space where you can begin to untangle the emotions and thought patterns that have been keeping you stuck — and start building something that actually feels like your life again.
"There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn't." — John Green
Work with Me
Starting therapy is a big step, and you don’t have to figure it out alone. Here’s what working together typically looks like.
Free Consultation
Your first step is a free 20-minute phone call. This call is yours — share what's been going on, ask any questions, and get a feel for how I work. No pressure, no commitment. Many people find that this call alone brings a sense of relief.
Weekly Sessions
We meet regularly, typically once a week, in a supportive, non-judgmental space. Sessions focus on processing your experiences, building practical coping skills, and gently shifting patterns that are keeping you stuck. We go at your pace.
Tailored Plan
Your therapy plan is shaped around you: your goals, your identity, and your lived experience. We'll explore what's getting in the way and build a roadmap for the kind of change you actually want to make.
Ongoing Growth
Therapy isn't just about fixing what feels broken; it's about becoming more connected to yourself. As you grow, we'll continue adjusting the work to reflect where you are, keeping you grounded and supported through every stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
That depends on you. For most clients, the early goals are pretty simple: start to understand what's been going on beneath the surface, feel a little less alone in it, and begin building some tools for the harder days. Over time, we work on the deeper patterns — the ones that keep pulling you back under — and start building toward the kind of life you actually want. According to the American Psychological Association, that kind of lasting change often includes challenging negative thought patterns, re-engaging with meaningful activities, and strengthening relationships. We shape those goals together, and revisit them as you grow.