Psychological therapy
Evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance-based work, and supportive therapy — selected based on the person's presentation, goals, and capacity.
Depression, anxiety, and mood care
Clinical assessment and personalised care for persistent low mood, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and reduced functioning — at any age.
When low mood or worry becomes the daily backdrop
Not every difficult period is a clinical disorder — but when mood, anxiety, or sleep disturbance persists and affects daily functioning, a proper assessment clarifies what is happening and what can help.
Persistent difficulty that deserves a clinical answer
Depression and anxiety are among the most common and most treatable mental health conditions. Yet many people spend months or years managing symptoms alone — assuming they should simply push through, or that nothing can genuinely help.
A structured clinical assessment identifies the pattern, rules out other contributing causes, and gives the person a clear explanation and a specific, realistic care plan — not a generic treatment protocol.
Signs that often bring people to assessment
Depression and anxiety frequently co-occur and share overlapping features. Both deserve clinical attention.
Depression
Persistent low mood, sadness, or emotional numbness lasting most of the day
Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were previously enjoyable
Fatigue and low energy disproportionate to activity level
Disrupted sleep — difficulty falling asleep, early waking, or oversleeping
Difficulty concentrating, making decisions, or completing familiar tasks
Withdrawal from relationships or activities that once gave meaning
Anxiety
Persistent, difficult-to-control worry that feels disproportionate to the situation
Physical symptoms: racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or nausea
Avoidance of situations, people, or activities due to anticipated anxiety
Restlessness, difficulty relaxing, or constant sense of being on edge
Panic episodes — sudden intense fear with physical symptoms
Worry that interferes with sleep, concentration, or relationships
What our assessment covers
Assessment goes beyond a questionnaire score. The clinical interview remains central to understanding the full picture.
First contact and urgency screening
Reception clarifies the presenting concern, duration, and any urgency. If there is a risk concern, the pathway is adjusted to ensure the person is seen appropriately and promptly.
Clinical interview — mood, anxiety, and history
A thorough interview covers the nature and duration of symptoms, sleep, energy, appetite, relationships, functioning at work or school, previous episodes, and personal and family mental health history.
Differential assessment
Other conditions that can mimic or contribute to mood and anxiety symptoms are considered — including thyroid problems, ADHD, sleep disorders, trauma history, and substance use. The aim is an accurate picture, not the first available label.
Risk review
For depression in particular, risk is assessed directly and without judgement. A clear risk picture informs the level of care and follow-up intensity — and ensures the care plan is appropriately calibrated to the person's current state.
Formulation and care plan
The person receives a clear explanation of the clinical picture — what has been driving the difficulty and why. The care plan specifies the recommended interventions, the expected timeframe, and how progress will be reviewed.
~1 in 5
people experience depression or an anxiety disorder at some point in their life
Among the most common — and most treatable — conditions.
~75%
of people with depression have significant anxiety symptoms
The two conditions frequently co-occur.
6–8 weeks
typical time to see a meaningful response to antidepressant medication
Setting realistic expectations matters.
What a care plan may include
Care is chosen based on the type, severity, and individual context of the condition — not a one-size protocol.
Medication when clinically indicated
For moderate to severe depression or anxiety, medication can be an important part of the care plan. Options are explained fully — including expected effects, onset time, side effects, and the monitoring schedule — before any prescription.
Sleep and lifestyle guidance
Sleep disturbance both drives and results from depression and anxiety. Practical sleep hygiene guidance and, where relevant, specific sleep-focused interventions are part of many care plans.
Family involvement for younger patients
For children and adolescents, the family system is part of the care plan — not just the backdrop. Parents receive guidance on how to support the young person at home without inadvertently reinforcing avoidance or distress.
Depression and anxiety rarely travel alone
Most people presenting with depression have significant anxiety, and vice versa. Other conditions — including ADHD, sleep disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and trauma — can look like or worsen mood difficulties.
This is why the assessment at Farasai goes beyond a single scale or label. A clear differential formulation — one that names what is primary, what is secondary, and what may be contributing — makes the difference between a care plan that works and one that addresses the wrong target.
Specialist care for mood and anxiety at Farasai
Dr. Mahdi Moeini
Dr. Moeini is a psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialist. He leads the mood and anxiety pathway at Farasai across all age groups — from children and adolescents presenting with school refusal and anxiety to adults with treatment-resistant depression.
Psychiatrist and child and adolescent psychiatry subspecialist
Mood disorders, anxiety, and complex presentations across all ages
Member of the Iranian Psychiatric Association
Common questions about depression and anxiety care
How do I know if what I am experiencing is clinical depression or just a difficult period?
The distinction is not always sharp. Clinical depression is characterised by persistence (most of the day, most days for at least two weeks), a cluster of symptoms beyond low mood, and a meaningful impact on functioning. If you are asking this question, it is reasonable to seek an assessment — a clinician can give you a clear answer and you are not obliged to proceed with treatment.
Do I need a referral from a GP to book an appointment?
No. You can contact reception directly. A letter or summary from a GP or previous provider can be useful context, but it is not required to book or to be seen.
Is assessment just a questionnaire?
No. Standardised questionnaires (such as PHQ-9 for depression or GAD-7 for anxiety) can provide useful structured information but are not sufficient on their own. The clinical interview — covering history, context, triggers, and functioning — is the core of the assessment.
Does everyone receive medication?
No. Medication is one option within a care plan, considered when severity, pattern, and individual factors make it appropriate. For mild to moderate presentations, therapy alone is often the recommended starting point. When medication is suggested, the rationale, options, expected effects, and monitoring are all explained before any prescription.
What types of therapy are available?
The care plan will specify the most appropriate type. Cognitive-behavioural approaches are among the best-evidenced for both depression and anxiety. Acceptance-based, supportive, and structured short-term approaches may also be relevant depending on the presentation. The clinician explains the recommendation and the reasoning.
What if I am having thoughts of harming myself?
Please tell reception when you contact us. Thoughts of self-harm or suicide are taken seriously and the pathway is adjusted accordingly. If you are in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or go to an emergency department. We assess risk at every contact and the care plan is calibrated to the person's current level of safety.
Is this service available for children and adolescents with anxiety?
Yes. Anxiety disorders in children and adolescents — including separation anxiety, social anxiety, generalised anxiety, and school refusal — are a core part of our service. Assessment and care planning for younger patients involves the family, and support extends to parents and school when relevant.
Can depression and anxiety be treated at the same time?
Yes, and when they co-occur they typically are. The care plan addresses both — with the understanding that in many cases treating one also improves the other. Where they have distinct patterns or drivers, those are treated in sequence or in parallel depending on the clinical picture.
How quickly can I expect to feel better?
It depends on the type and severity of the condition and the treatment chosen. Antidepressant medication typically takes six to eight weeks for a meaningful response. Therapy effects are more gradual but often more durable. The care plan sets realistic expectations and follow-up appointments review progress so the approach can be adjusted if needed.
I have tried treatment before without success. Is there still value in coming?
Yes. Previous treatment that did not help is important clinical information. It may indicate that the diagnosis needs revisiting, that the treatment type or dose was not optimal, or that a co-occurring condition was not addressed. A fresh assessment often reveals something that changes the approach meaningfully.
Ready to seek a clinical assessment?
Reception can help you identify the right starting point. If you have a concern about urgency or safety, please say so when you contact us.