Pediatric Depression Treatment in Olympia, WA
Compassionate depression treatment for children, teens, and young adults in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and throughout Thurston County
At Aurora Integrative Care, we provide evidence-based evaluation and treatment for depression in children and adolescents. Depression is more than feeling sad. It can affect a child's mood, energy, motivation, sleep, school performance, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Our goal is to help children and teens feel understood, regain confidence, develop healthy coping skills, and return to the activities they enjoy.
What Is Depression?
Depression is a common mental health condition that can affect children, adolescents, and young adults. While everyone experiences occasional sadness, depression involves persistent symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.
Children and teens with depression may experience:
Persistent sadness or low mood
Irritability or anger
Loss of interest in favorite activities
Fatigue or low energy
Changes in sleep patterns
Changes in appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Declining school performance
Social withdrawal
Thoughts of death or self-harm
Depression is treatable, and early intervention can significantly improve outcomes.
Signs of Depression in Children and Teens
Depression often looks different in children than it does in adults. Instead of appearing sad, some children become irritable, argumentative, withdrawn, or less motivated.
Common signs include:
Frequent tearfulness
Increased irritability
Loss of motivation
School avoidance
Difficulty concentrating
Declining grades
Low self-esteem
Sleep difficulties
Changes in eating habits
Isolation from friends and family
Loss of interest in sports, hobbies, or social activities
If symptoms persist for two weeks or longer and interfere with daily life, an evaluation may be helpful.
Pediatric Depression Evaluations
Aurora Integrative Care offers comprehensive depression evaluations for children and adolescents in Olympia and surrounding communities.
A depression evaluation may include:
Parent and child interviews
Review of emotional and behavioral symptoms
Assessment of school functioning
Screening for anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and other mental health conditions
Medical and developmental history review
Family mental health history
Development of an individualized treatment plan
Many children with depression also experience anxiety, ADHD, sleep problems, or emotional regulation difficulties. A comprehensive evaluation helps identify all contributing factors.
Depression Treatment for Children and Teens
Treatment is tailored to each child's needs, age, symptom severity, and family goals.
Treatment may include:
Education about depression
Coping skill development
Lifestyle and wellness recommendations
School support strategies
Therapy referrals
Parent guidance and support
Medication management when clinically appropriate
Research supports psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as an effective treatment for pediatric depression.
Medication Management for Depression
Some children and adolescents may benefit from medication when symptoms significantly impact daily functioning or when psychotherapy alone is not providing sufficient improvement.
Medication management may include:
Careful assessment of risks and benefits
Discussion of treatment options with parents and patients
Monitoring for side effects
Ongoing symptom tracking
Regular follow-up appointments
Treatment decisions are made collaboratively and are individualized for each child.
Depression, Anxiety, and ADHD
Depression frequently occurs alongside other conditions, including:
ADHD
Anxiety disorders
School-related stress
Sleep disorders
Trauma and stress-related conditions
Because symptoms can overlap, a thorough evaluation is important to ensure the most effective treatment plan.
Whole-Child Mental Health Care
At Aurora Integrative Care, we take a whole-child approach to mental health care. We strive to understand the unique challenges each child faces while partnering with families to build practical, sustainable solutions.
Our approach is:
Compassionate
Evidence-based
Family-centered
Collaborative
Individualized
When to Seek Help
Consider scheduling an evaluation if your child:
Appears persistently sad or irritable
Has lost interest in activities they previously enjoyed
Is struggling academically due to mood symptoms
Experiences significant changes in sleep or appetite
Withdraws from family and friends
Expresses hopelessness or low self-worth
If your child is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, seek immediate emergency assistance by calling 911, contacting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or going to the nearest emergency department.
Schedule a Depression Evaluation
Aurora Integrative Care provides pediatric depression evaluations and treatment for children, adolescents, and young adults in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and throughout Thurston County.
We are committed to helping children and families find hope, healing, and practical solutions for emotional well-being.