Anxiety & Depression in San Diego, CA
At Thrive Wellness, anxiety and depression are treated with the same root-cause rigor we apply to every health concern — addressing the neurological, physiological, and psychological drivers that sustain these conditions, not just managing symptoms with medication. Our integrative San Diego, CA team combines evidence-based psychotherapy, acupuncture, and functional medicine to build comprehensive care plans that produce lasting improvement. Call (619) 984-4317 to get started.
Book OnlineAn Integrative Approach to Anxiety and Depression
Anxiety and depression are among the most common health conditions in the world — and among the most poorly served by the standard medical model, which frequently offers medication as the first and only intervention without investigating the biological, psychological, and lifestyle factors driving the condition. At Thrive Wellness, we take a fundamentally different approach.
Our integrative model addresses anxiety and depression from three angles simultaneously. Mandy Pfaff, LMFT provides evidence-based psychotherapy — including EMDR, somatic therapy, CBT-informed work, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for treatment-resistant cases — targeting the psychological and neurological roots of anxiety and depression. Acupuncture with Dr. Adam Fuller addresses the physiological nervous system dysregulation — reducing cortisol, activating the parasympathetic system, and supporting the neurotransmitter balance that underlies mood stability. And Functional Medicine investigates the biological contributors to anxiety and depression — gut dysbiosis impairing serotonin production, blood sugar instability driving anxiety, nutrient deficiencies impairing neurotransmitter synthesis, thyroid dysfunction, and hormonal imbalance — that medication alone cannot resolve.
Anxiety and Depression Conditions We Treat
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Health anxiety
- Major depressive disorder
- Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia)
- Treatment-resistant depression (with KAP)
- Anxiety and depression with metabolic components (blood sugar, thyroid, gut)
- Perimenopausal anxiety and depression
- Postpartum depression and anxiety
How Thrive Wellness Treats Anxiety & Depression
EMDR Therapy & Counseling: Mandy Pfaff, LMFT offers individual therapy for anxiety and depression using an evidence-based, integrative toolkit that includes EMDR, somatic interventions, mindfulness, CBT-informed techniques, movement strategies, and — for treatment-resistant cases — Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Sessions are available in-person in San Diego, CA , via telehealth throughout California, and in-home for eligible patients. Learn more on our EMDR Therapy & Counseling page.
Acupuncture: Acupuncture reduces cortisol, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, promotes serotonin and dopamine release, and regulates the HPA axis dysregulation that underlies both anxiety and depression. Regular acupuncture at Thrive Wellness provides meaningful symptom relief and nervous system support that makes psychotherapy more effective and durable. Learn more on our Acupuncture & Sports Medicine page.
Functional Medicine: For patients whose anxiety or depression has a significant biological component — gut dysbiosis, hypothyroidism, hormonal imbalance, blood sugar instability, or nutrient deficiencies — Functional Medicine at Thrive Wellness investigates these contributors and builds protocols to address them alongside psychological care.
Anxiety & Depression FAQs
What is the difference between therapy and medication for anxiety and depression?
Medication reduces symptoms by altering neurotransmitter availability — it doesn’t address the underlying psychological patterns, nervous system dysregulation, or biological drivers of anxiety and depression. Evidence-based therapies like EMDR, CBT, and somatic approaches change the neural pathways and thought patterns that sustain these conditions, producing improvements that persist after treatment ends. At Thrive Wellness in San Diego, CA , Mandy Pfaff’s integrative approach combines multiple evidence-based modalities for maximum effectiveness — and for treatment-resistant cases, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy offers a breakthrough option that medication alone cannot provide.
Can gut health affect anxiety and depression?
Yes significantly. Approximately 90% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, and gut dysbiosis directly impairs serotonin synthesis, drives systemic inflammation that affects brain function, and disrupts the gut-brain axis signaling that regulates mood, cognition, and stress response. Many patients at Thrive Wellness experience meaningful improvements in anxiety and mood after addressing gut health through functional medicine — improvements that antidepressants alone were unable to produce.
Can acupuncture help with anxiety and panic attacks?
Yes — acupuncture is one of the most effective non-pharmaceutical tools for anxiety. It reduces cortisol, activates the parasympathetic nervous system, and regulates the autonomic nervous system hyperactivation that underlies panic and generalized anxiety. Many patients at Thrive Wellness report that regular acupuncture significantly reduces both the frequency and intensity of anxiety symptoms and panic attacks — and that the calming effect is noticeable from the first session.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and is it right for treatment-resistant depression?
KAP combines ketamine’s rapid-onset neuroplastic effects with structured psychotherapy to produce breakthroughs in patients who haven’t responded adequately to conventional antidepressants or therapy. At Thrive Wellness, Mandy Pfaff — who completed a comprehensive three-year psychedelic-facilitated therapy training in 2024 — offers KAP in-office and in-home for eligible patients. It is particularly indicated for treatment-resistant depression, where conventional approaches have produced inadequate relief. Learn more on our EMDR Therapy & Counseling page.
Does Thrive Wellness offer telehealth for anxiety and depression treatment?
Yes — Mandy Pfaff offers secure telehealth video sessions for anxiety and depression throughout California. Call (619) 984-4317 or visit our Initial Consultation page to learn more about getting started with mental health care at Thrive Wellness in San Diego, CA .
Are anxiety and depression services at Thrive Wellness covered by HSA or FSA?
All services at Thrive Wellness including acupuncture and functional medicine are covered by HSA and FSA accounts. Mandy Pfaff does not accept insurance directly but provides superbills for out-of-network reimbursement. Call (619) 984-4317 for details.