Depression Treatment in Kansas

If low mood, emptiness or exhaustion has settled in — if the things you used to enjoy feel flat, your sleep is off, or getting through the day takes more than it should — this page explains how I evaluate and treat depression and what happens afterward. I'm Aliyah Ellis, a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. I see patients in person at my office in Olathe, Kansas and by telehealth anywhere in the state, from age 13 up.

If you're having thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, please don't wait for an appointment — call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency department.

Depression and related concerns I treat

• Major depression — low mood or loss of interest most days for two weeks or more, often with changes in sleep, appetite, energy or concentration.

• Persistent depressive disorder — a lower-grade depression that has hung on for years, sometimes so long it starts to feel like your personality.

• Depression with anxiety — the two often travel together, and treating one well usually means paying attention to both.

• Burnout and stress-related low mood — when long stretches of pressure at work, school or home have worn you down.

• Depression that hasn't responded to treatment — if you've tried one or more antidepressants without much relief, a careful second look at the diagnosis, the dose and the medication itself.

What an evaluation involves

Your first appointment is a comprehensive evaluation, focused on understanding the full picture before I make any recommendations. We'll talk about when the low mood started, what else was going on in your life, and how it affects work, school, relationships, sleep and appetite. We'll also go over your physical health and any medications you take, since things like thyroid problems and some medications can look like depression or make it worse.

I'll also ask about any past periods of unusually high energy or very little need for sleep. Depression that's part of bipolar disorder is treated differently, and that difference matters when choosing a medication.

I don't rush appointments, and you'll always have room to ask questions and be part of decisions about your care.

What treatment can look like

Treatment for depression isn't a synonym for medication, though medication is often part of it.

• Medication management, when it's appropriate. My approach is conservative — I consider medications carefully and only when they truly support your goals, and I'll explain my reasoning rather than simply hand you a prescription. Antidepressants take time to reach their full effect, so we'll plan follow-ups to see how you're doing and adjust if needed.

• GeneSight pharmacogenetic testing — especially if you've tried antidepressants before without relief or had side effects, when knowing how you metabolize a medication would change the choice.

• Brief psychotherapy and skills work in our sessions — practical tools for low motivation, harsh self-talk and getting daily routines back on track.

• Referral for ongoing therapy. When weekly therapy would help more than what fits into our visits, I'll refer you to a therapist and continue seeing you for the psychiatric side of your care.

• Sleep, movement and routine — changes that sound small but can make a real difference to energy and mood.

I also take an education-focused approach, so you understand your diagnosis, your options, and what to expect along the way.

For teenagers and their families

I see patients from age 13. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian needs to be present for the first appointment — both for consent and because a caregiver's view of school, home and the last few years adds to the evaluation. In teens, depression often shows up as irritability, pulling away from friends or slipping grades rather than obvious sadness, so a parent's perspective helps.

Cost and insurance

I'm currently in network with Aetna, Ascension (Smart Health), BCBS of Kansas, BCBS of Kansas City, Carelon Behavioral Health, Cigna and Quest Behavioral Health. Credentialing is in progress with Oscar (Optum), Oxford (Optum) and UnitedHealthcare (Optum).

If you're paying out of pocket, you'll receive a written Good Faith Estimate of what your care will cost before it begins — that's your right under federal law, and the details are on my policies page.

Common questions

How long does it take for an antidepressant to work?

Most people notice some change within the first few weeks, with the fuller effect usually taking four to eight weeks. Sleep and energy sometimes improve before mood does. I'll check in regularly during that stretch so we're not waiting months to find out whether something is working.

I've tried antidepressants before and they didn't help. Is there anything else to try?

Often, yes. The medication may not have been the right fit, the dose may never have been adjusted, or something else — sleep, anxiety, a medical issue or a different diagnosis — may have been getting in the way. I'll go over what you've tried, and GeneSight testing can sometimes help narrow down the next choice.

Do I have to take medication?

No. Medication is one option, not a requirement. Some people do best with therapy and changes to sleep and routine, some with medication, and many with both. We'll decide together, and you're always part of that decision.

Can depression be treated over telehealth?

Yes. An evaluation is a conversation about your symptoms and history, and nothing about it requires being in the same room. When low energy makes it hard to get out the door, starting from home can make it easier to take the first step. If you'd rather meet face to face, I also see patients at my Olathe office.

What if I also have anxiety or ADHD?

That's common, and it's a reason to see someone who treats all of them. You can read more about my anxiety treatment and ADHD evaluation and treatment.

Do you see patients outside Kansas?

No. I see patients in person in Olathe and by telehealth only to patients physically located in Kansas at the time of their appointment.

What if I'm in crisis?

Telehealth psychiatry isn't emergency care. If you're having thoughts of suicide or of harming yourself, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency department. My emergency disclaimer explains this in full.

Getting started

If this sounds like the kind of care you're looking for, you can book directly — in person at my Olathe office, or by telehealth from anywhere in Kansas, whichever suits you. You're also welcome to read more about my services and medication management, or about my approach, first.