You don’t have to pretend that you’Re okay

Holistic and somatic therapy for depression that is rooted in deep compassion, not quick fixes.

Your Healing Starts Here

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Your Healing Starts Here ✷

It’s Time to Prioritize Your Mental Health

You’re functioning, but barely.

You’re answering emails, showing up, smiling when you have to… but inside, you feel numb, exhausted, and disconnected.

At Life By Design Therapy™, we understand that depression isn’t just a “bad mood.”

It can be heavy, subtle, and deeply physical.

Whether you’re feeling flat, emotionally shut down, or like you’ve lost your sense of self, our therapists meet you with warmth and body-based approaches to help you reconnect with you.

We offer online therapy, so when getting out of bed feels like the hardest part, you can still get support.

You don’t have to keep pushing through alone.

Signs You Might Be Ready for Therapy

Do you currently . . .

→ Feel emotionally numb or checked out?

→ Have a hard time remembering the last time you felt like yourself?

→ Feel like you’ve lost interest in things that once mattered?

→ Feel stuck, disconnected, or like something’s missing?

→ Feel like you’re always holding it together?

→ Worry that things will never get better?

→ Rely on habits that help you numb out or unwind after a long day?

→ Feel overwhelmed by simple tasks or lack motivation to do things you once enjoyed?

→ Zone out on your phone, TV, or play video games to avoid your feelings?

→ Feel like no one understands you?

→ Constantly feel tense or have a hard time being still?

→ Pull away from people or feel overly responsible for others’ emotions?

→ Keep all your problems to yourself and don’t have safe spaces to open up?

→ Feel emotionally drained trying to juggle too many responsibilities just to get through each day?

 
You don’t have to keep pretending you’re fine.

Reach out today to get the support you need.

Why depression Therapy Works

Traditional depression therapy often stops at the surface. It focuses on talking through your thoughts, feelings, and history so you can cognitively understand the cause of your depression. While this can be valuable, awareness and insight alone aren’t always enough for real relief.

You see, depression doesn’t just live in your thoughts. It lives in your body, too.

It can feel like constant exhaustion, an aching heaviness in your chest, tightness in your throat, a body that just wants to shut down, or muscles that feel like they’re carrying the weight of the world. Sometimes it shows up as sleep problems, digestive issues, headaches, or simply moving through the day as if you’re wading through mud.

At Life by Design Therapy™, we take a more complete approach. Our holistic and somatic therapy addresses both the mind and the body, helping you move beyond intellectual understanding and into real change. When depression shows up as a heavy heart, deep grief, or a body that feels physically weighed down, you need more than talk to find lasting relief.

You need tools that calm and create safety in your nervous system, release old blocks and stored tension, and help you create new patterns of safety, resilience, and ease.

Through our integrative approach, you can:

✓ Notice the subtle signals of depression in both your body and emotions before they deepen.

✓ Build personalized tools to shift patterns of fatigue, numbness, and heaviness when they show up.

✓ Experience new ways of healing beyond talk therapy, such as expressive arts and somatic practices.

✓ Release long-held emotional and physical burdens that keep you feeling stuck in cycles of sadness and disconnection.

✓ Reconnect with a sense of vitality, motivation, and self-compassion.


This means you are not just managing symptoms of depression. You are reshaping how your mind and body carry and release it. Our holistic and somatic approach helps you go beyond talk therapy by engaging both your mind and body, creating a deeper and more complete path to healing and wholeness.

Meet Our holistic Therapists

Our therapists provide care under either Life by Design Therapy or our nonprofit, Life by Design Therapy Collective.

a message from our founder

Therapy isn’t about 'fixing' you.

It’s about helping you reconnect with who you really are and finding your way back to what you truly want for yourself.

At Life by Design Therapy™, we believe healing isn’t one size fits all. Your story, your struggles, and your strengths are uniquely yours, and your therapy should be too.

Unlike large corporate services, we offer a truly personalized experience where you’re seen, heard, and valued. Our dedicated team is here to walk alongside you as you reconnect with your mind, body, and emotions, helping you create a life that feels authentic, joyful, and balanced.

Rooted in holistic and somatic therapy, we focus on nurturing both your emotional and physical well-being so you can experience deep healing that lasts.

We understand that starting therapy can feel vulnerable, and we invite you to reach out, ask questions, or simply learn more about how we can support you on your journey. Your well-being matters here and we’re honored to be part of your path forward.

~ Melody Wright, LMFT
Somatic Therapist & Founder

why work with us

  • Stress relief

    Get the support you need to relieve stress and build a toolkit of techniques to handle daily challenges with ease.

  • Self-Awareness

    Finally uncover why you feel the way you do and gain powerful insights into your patterns for lasting change.

  • real change and growth

    Make real, lasting changes with the help of ethical holistic therapists dedicated to your growth.

  • more confidence & ease

    Say goodbye to feeling stuck and learn practical tools that help you face challenges with more ease.

  • better connections

    Strengthen relationships with proven methods to improve communication and resolve conflict.

  • mental health & wellness

    Take control of your mental health with mind-body techniques designed to help you overcome struggles and live your best life.

Our process is simple
and flexible

  • 🌿 Talk with our Client Care Coordinator to see if we're the right fit for your needs.

  • 🌿 During the call, choose the therapist who best aligns with your goals and preferences.

  • 🌿 Start your sessions and begin making the changes you want to see in your life.

Wherever you are in California, we make it easy to get started with online therapy, and if you're near Berkeley, we’d love to see you in person!

Ready to take the first step?

There’s no risk. No pressure.

Just a conversation to help you discover if we’re the right fit for you.

what people are saying

PS: Still wondering if this is right for you? Our therapy is designed for people just like you—adults, couples, teens, and families. No matter where you are in life, we’re here to help you grow.

Offering flexible online therapy throughout California and in-person sessions at our Downtown Berkeley office,
because healing should be accessible, wherever you are.