Depression isn’t one condition
Research Identifies Distinct Patterns — And Different Patterns Respond to Different treatments.
Most psychiatry practices treat depression as a single diagnosis. We don't. We identify your specific pattern, match treatment to it using clinic-wide outcome data, and measure whether it's working at every appointment.
This free screening takes about 3 minutes and helps you understand which depression pattern fits your experience.
How We Match Treatment to Your Pattern
Accurate diagnosis at the first appointment
Every patient receives a structured diagnostic interview designed to identify your depression subtype, anxiety profile, and any co-occurring conditions. This isn't a 10-minute screening. It's a research-grade process used by fewer than 5% of clinical psychiatrists. The goal is to get your diagnosis right the first time — not on the third try.
Measurement at every visit
The LW-23 is a 23-item rating scale we developed to track depression, anxiety, and stress with more precision than standard tools. The PHQ-9 most practices use has 9 questions. Ours has 23 — enough to distinguish between subtypes and detect changes your provider can act on. You complete the LW-23 at every appointment, and your provider reviews the results with you before making any treatment decisions.
Data-informed treatment selection
When your provider selects a medication or adjusts a dose, that decision is informed by what our clinic-wide data shows has worked for patients with your same depression pattern. This isn't guessing. This isn't "let's try this and see." This is treatment matched to measured outcomes across our entire patient population.
Knowing what not to try
This may be the most important part. Most practices learn what doesn't work through trial and error — with you as the trial. Our data also shows which medications, dosing strategies, and combinations are less effective or poorly tolerated for specific depression subtypes. Knowing what to avoid can save you weeks or months of failed treatment.
When Medication Isn’t Enough
If you've tried antidepressants without adequate results, TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) targets the brain directly — no medication, no sedation, no systemic side effects.
We offer advanced TMS protocols at our Meridian office, including options not available at other Treasure Valley providers.
Patient Outcomes
We measure every patient's progress at every visit using a structured diagnostic assessment.
81% of our patients arrive having already tried medications that didn't work.
After two unsuccessful antidepressant trials, published research shows the chance of a third working drops to 14%.
N = 1,425 previously treated patients at intake · N = 550 at appointment 8
Typical timeline: most patients reach appointment 8 within 8 months
Depression measured via the LW-23 assessment (sadness + anhedonia items)
Every patient completes a structured diagnostic assessment at intake and at every follow-up visit.
We screen for conditions that are commonly missed — including ADHD, which we diagnose in the majority of our depression patients.
Treatment is matched to each patient's specific profile.
Why Trial and Error Stops Working
The largest U.S. depression treatment study (STAR*D, N=3,671) found that each time a medication is switched, the chance of the next one working drops sharply.
STAR*D (Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression), NIMH-funded, N = 3,671
Response defined as ≥50% reduction in QIDS-SR depression score at each step
Each step lasted up to 14 weeks · Total study duration: over 1 year
Your First Appointment:
After you take the online assessment, here's what to expect when you schedule with us.
The evaluation — Your first visit is a comprehensive diagnostic interview. We collect your full symptom history — not just what's bothering you today, but the lifetime pattern. This is how we identify your depression subtype and build an accurate diagnostic foundation.
Your LW-23 baseline — You'll complete the LW-23 rating scale for the first time. This becomes your starting point. At every future appointment, you'll complete it again, and you and your provider will see — in data — whether treatment is working.
Your treatment plan — Based on your subtype, your LW-23 baseline, and our clinic-wide outcome data, your provider will recommend a treatment approach matched to your specific pattern.
Available statewide — We see patients across Idaho via secure telehealth video. In-person visits are available at our Meridian office in the Treasure Valley.
Insurance accepted — We accept most major insurance plans. Call or text us to verify your coverage.
What Our Patients Say:
FAQ’s
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No. This is a free screening tool to help you understand your depression pattern. A clinical diagnosis requires an evaluation with a provider. The assessment gives you a starting point for that conversation.
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About 3 minutes.
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A 23-item rating scale developed by Live Well Psychiatry that measures depression, anxiety, and stress with more detail than the standard PHQ-9 (9 items) or GAD-7 (7 items). You complete it at every appointment so your provider can track whether your treatment is working for your specific subtype.
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The PHQ-9 asks 9 questions about depression severity. It tells you how depressed you are, but not what kind of depression you have. The LW-23 captures 23 data points across depression, anxiety, and stress — enough to identify your subtype and track whether the specific treatment your provider selected is working for your specific pattern.
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The assessment is free and open to anyone. Treatment is available statewide in Idaho via secure telehealth video. In-person visits for medication management and TMS are available at our Meridian office.
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You may be a candidate for TMS. Take our TMS assessment (/tms-assessment) to find out, or call us to discuss your options.
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That's exactly what this assessment is for. Many people experience depression symptoms without recognizing them as depression — especially the Foggy Mind and World-Overwhelmed subtypes, which don't always feel like "sadness." Take the assessment. It's free, private, and takes 3 minutes.