Finding a Psychiatrist for Anxiety and Depression: What to Look for and Where to Start

For many adults, finding a psychiatrist who actually listens and has time to do so is harder than it should be. Large health systems move fast. Appointments run short. Medication gets adjusted without much conversation about why. And for people dealing with anxiety, depression, or both, that kind of care often falls short.

Empathy Therapy is a telehealth psychiatry practice serving adults across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida. Dr. Mark Chofla, a board-certified psychiatrist, provides psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and formal psychotherapy for adults navigating anxiety, depression, and related conditions, entirely online, without requiring a referral or an in-person visit.

What Does a Telehealth Psychiatrist Actually Do?

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specializes in mental health. Unlike therapists or counselors, psychiatrists can prescribe and manage psychiatric medications. At Empathy Therapy, Dr. Chofla goes beyond medication management. He conducts thorough psychiatric evaluations, discusses treatment options in depth, and, for patients who need it, provides formal psychotherapy as part of ongoing care.

This matters because anxiety and depression rarely respond to medication alone. Understanding the context, including work stress, relationship patterns, past trauma, and life transitions, is part of effective treatment. Dr. Chofla builds that understanding over time, which is reflected consistently in patient feedback.

One patient wrote on Vitals:

"Finding the right psychiatrist has not been easy for me, but working with Dr. Chofla has been a turning point."

Another shared on Healthgrades:

"I've been seeing Dr. Mark Chofla for a few months now, and I've been impressed with his ability to listen and provide thoughtful feedback. He has a calm, professional demeanor that immediately puts you at ease, and he takes the time to thoroughly understand your concerns before offering solutions."

Medication Management for Anxiety and Depression: More Than a Prescription

Psychiatric medication for anxiety and depression works best when it is monitored carefully, adjusted based on how a patient is actually responding, and discussed openly. At Empathy Therapy, new patient intakes are 75 minutes, and follow-up appointments are 45 minutes. Patients have real time to ask questions, report changes, and participate in decisions about their care.

This is particularly important for adults who have tried multiple medications without success, or who have had experiences in larger systems where follow-up was minimal and communication was difficult.

One patient described that contrast on Vitals:

"Dr. Chofla and his entire office epitomize excellence. Other single doctor practices never get back to you. It is infuriating. Call Dr. Chofla and they get back to you. Ask them a question and they explain."

For adults managing anxiety or depression alongside demanding professional lives, that level of access and responsiveness is not a luxury. It is what makes treatment sustainable.

Psychotherapy and Psychiatry Under One Provider

Most telehealth psychiatric practices focus exclusively on medication management. Psychotherapy, when needed, is referred out to a separate therapist. This works for some patients, but it creates coordination challenges and requires patients to build a relationship from scratch with an additional provider.

At Empathy Therapy, formal psychotherapy is available through Dr. Chofla for patients who need it. This means the same provider who understands your medication history, your diagnosis, and your treatment goals can also work with you therapeutically. For patients with complex presentations, such as anxiety layered with depression, or depression connected to unresolved trauma or significant life change, this integrated approach can make a meaningful difference.

Psychotherapy patients at Empathy Therapy typically have more frequent appointments, which supports deeper therapeutic work and more consistent progress.

What to Expect as a New Patient

New patient appointments at Empathy Therapy are 75 minutes. The intake process is thorough by design. Dr. Chofla takes time at the outset to understand not just symptoms, but history, context, and goals. Follow-up appointments are 45 minutes, significantly longer than the industry standard, which allows for real monitoring and meaningful conversation at every visit.

New patients are typically seen within days, not weeks. Scheduling is structured to keep wait times short, because access to care should not be its own obstacle.

Patients consistently note that the investment in the first visit pays off in the quality of ongoing care.

As one patient wrote on Healthgrades:

"My first appointment made me feel like I was being treated with dignity and respect. It was obvious he was making a sincere effort to build rapport."

All appointments are conducted via telehealth using a secure, easy-to-use platform. Patients across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida can access care without commuting or taking significant time away from work. Evening appointments are available for patients in New York and Florida.

Is Empathy Therapy the Right Fit?

Empathy Therapy is a private-pay, fee-for-service practice. Insurance is not accepted. This allows Dr. Chofla to maintain a practice built around quality of care rather than volume, with longer appointments, genuine continuity, and a level of attention that many patients have not experienced in insurance-based settings.

For adults who have cycled through providers, struggled to get timely appointments, or felt like a number in a larger system, this model is often exactly what they have been looking for. The cost is higher than an in-network provider, and for many patients the difference in experience is significant.

One patient summed it up plainly on Vitals:

"He seems expensive and you get what you pay for here. I am not sure what bedside manner is here but I marked it four stars because it all worked for me. Keep doing what you are doing, Dr."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see a psychiatrist in California without leaving my home? Yes. Empathy Therapy is a fully telehealth practice. All appointments with Dr. Mark Chofla are conducted online across California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Alaska, New York, and Florida.

Does Empathy Therapy accept insurance? No. Empathy Therapy is a private-pay practice. Fees are collected at the time of service.

Can my psychiatrist also provide therapy? At Empathy Therapy, formal psychotherapy is available for patients who need it. Not all patients require or pursue psychotherapy. Many receive medication management only. Dr. Chofla will discuss what level of care fits your situation during the intake appointment.

What conditions does Dr. Chofla treat? Dr. Chofla works with adults experiencing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, trauma-related conditions, and difficulties related to major life transitions. He also works with professionals navigating stress, burnout, and performance-related concerns.

How long are appointments? New patient intakes are 75 minutes. Follow-up appointments are 45 minutes.

How soon can I be seen? New patients are typically seen within days, not weeks.

How do I get started? Visit www.empathytherapy.com to schedule a new patient appointment. New patient intakes are available to adults, teens, and children across all seven states via telehealth.