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TelePlus Care
Online Depression Treatment
About 1 in 8 Canadians will experience major depression in their lifetime, yet most wait months for help and many never seek it. Online depression treatment removes the friction. Through TelePlus Care, licensed Canadian doctors use validated screening (PHQ-9), evidence-based prescribing (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion), and structured follow-up to treat mild and moderate clinical depression — all by secure video. Severe depression, suicidal thinking, or psychotic features require urgent in-person care, and we will tell you honestly if that applies to you.
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Quick Answer
Online depression treatment combines validated PHQ-9 screening, virtual doctor assessment, and Health Canada-approved antidepressant prescribing (SSRIs, SNRIs, bupropion) with 2–4 week follow-up titration. Roughly 50–70% of patients respond to first-line therapy. Severe depression, suicidal thinking, or psychotic features need urgent in-person care — call 911 or 988.
- A TelePlus Care online mental health assessment is $80, or covered by AHCIP for Alberta patients with an active health card.
- Antidepressants can be prescribed and renewed online; controlled medications cannot.
- Approximately 1 in 8 Canadians (around 13%) will experience a major depressive episode in their lifetime.
- The PHQ-9 is the standard validated screening tool for depression severity, used worldwide and in Canadian primary care.
- Roughly 50–70% of patients respond to the first SSRI prescribed; many of the rest respond to a second agent or augmentation.
- Canadian guidelines (CANMAT) recommend continuing antidepressants for at least 6–12 months after symptom remission to reduce relapse risk.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Maher Jerudi, MD
Last reviewed:
Clinical content is reviewed for accuracy and scope. TelePlus Care appointments go ahead only when a doctor agrees it is the right call, after a real assessment, and the doctor will explain the next step if virtual care is not the right fit.
Clinical Depression vs. Low Mood — Knowing the Difference
Sadness, grief, and short-lived low mood are universal human experiences and not the same as clinical depression. Major depressive disorder is diagnosed when symptoms persist most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks, and meaningfully impair work, relationships, or self-care. A virtual doctor will look for the diagnostic core: persistently low mood or loss of interest plus symptoms such as sleep disturbance, appetite or weight change, fatigue, concentration problems, feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt, slowed movement or restlessness, and thoughts of death or suicide. Severity is graded mild, moderate, or severe based on PHQ-9 score and functional impact. Online care is well suited for mild and moderate depression. Severe depression — especially with suicidal ideation or psychotic features — requires urgent, often in-person assessment.
PHQ-9 — The Screening Tool Behind Online Depression Care
The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 is a validated 9-item screening tool that maps directly onto the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Your doctor will review your PHQ-9 score at every visit to track response to treatment.
- Score 0–4 — minimal depressive symptoms; watchful waiting and lifestyle support usually sufficient.
- Score 5–9 — mild depression; consider therapy, lifestyle, or low-dose medication based on patient preference.
- Score 10–14 — moderate depression; pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy clearly indicated.
- Score 15–19 — moderately severe depression; active treatment with medication and therapy strongly recommended.
- Score 20–27 — severe depression; intensive treatment, frequent follow-up, and consideration of specialist referral; PHQ-9 item 9 (suicidal thoughts) drives urgent safety planning regardless of total score.
First-Line Medications for Depression
Canadian guidelines recommend SSRIs and SNRIs as first-line pharmacotherapy for moderate to severe major depression. All medications listed are Health Canada-approved. Your doctor will choose based on symptom profile, side-effect tolerance, drug interactions, and prior treatment history.
- Sertraline (Zoloft) — broad-spectrum SSRI; well-tolerated; commonly first-choice including for depression with anxiety.
- Escitalopram (Cipralex) — clean side-effect profile; few drug interactions; widely used in Canadian primary care.
- Fluoxetine (Prozac) — long half-life means easier discontinuation; useful in younger patients.
- Venlafaxine XR (Effexor) — SNRI option; effective for depression with low energy or comorbid chronic pain; monitor blood pressure.
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta) — SNRI helpful when depression coexists with neuropathic pain or fibromyalgia.
- Bupropion XL (Wellbutrin) — NDRI; energizing rather than sedating; preferred when sexual side effects, fatigue, or weight gain on SSRIs are a concern; avoid in seizure or eating disorders.
Medication, Therapy, or Both?
Both psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy are evidence-based treatments for depression. The right choice depends on severity, patient preference, prior response, and access.
- Mild depression — therapy alone (cognitive-behavioural therapy, behavioural activation), lifestyle changes, and watchful waiting are reasonable first options.
- Moderate depression — combined therapy plus medication generally outperforms either alone for response and relapse prevention.
- Severe depression — medication is usually started promptly; therapy is added once the patient is well enough to engage.
- Lifestyle pillars — regular aerobic exercise, sleep regularity, reduced alcohol, sunlight exposure, and social connection have measurable antidepressant effect and are recommended alongside any treatment.
- We can prescribe and monitor medication; for therapy we provide referrals to qualified Canadian therapists and digital CBT programs.
How Online Depression Treatment Works at TelePlus Care
Our virtual workflow is designed to be safe, structured, and respectful of how unwell depression can make people feel.
- Book a virtual appointment online and complete a confidential intake covering medical history, current medications, prior mental health treatment, and your goals.
- Complete the PHQ-9 (and GAD-7 if anxiety symptoms are also present) before the visit so your doctor can review scores in real time.
- Meet your licensed Canadian doctor by secure video. Expect a 20–30 minute first visit covering symptoms, history, safety screening, and a shared treatment plan.
- Receive a written prescription you can fill at any pharmacy. We do not e-prescribe directly to a pharmacy.
- Schedule a 2–4 week follow-up to monitor side effects, response, and adjust dose. Follow-ups continue every 4–6 weeks during titration and every 3 months once stable.
- Therapy referrals — your doctor can connect you to qualified therapists and digital CBT programs to pair with medication.
Side Effects and the First 8 Weeks
Knowing what to expect helps people stay on treatment long enough to benefit. Most antidepressant side effects are mild and transient.
- Weeks 1–2 — nausea, headache, sleep changes, mild jitteriness, or dampened libido are common; mood usually has not yet lifted.
- Weeks 2–4 — early side effects typically settle. Sleep and appetite often improve before subjective mood does.
- Weeks 4–6 — mood, motivation, and concentration improvements become more visible. Dose may be increased if response is partial.
- Weeks 6–8 — clinical decision point: continue, increase, augment, or switch. About 50–70% of patients respond meaningfully to the first agent.
- Important — never stop antidepressants abruptly. SSRI/SNRI discontinuation can cause flu-like symptoms, dizziness, and electric-shock sensations. Tapering is always done with doctor guidance.
- Black-box warning — a small subset of patients under 25 may experience increased suicidal thinking when starting antidepressants; we screen carefully and book early follow-up.
When Online Care Is Not Enough — Crisis Resources
Online depression treatment is appropriate for most mild and moderate cases. It is not appropriate for psychiatric emergencies. If any of the following describe you right now, please get in-person help today.
- Active suicidal thoughts with a plan or intent — go to your nearest emergency department or call 911.
- Hearing voices, seeing things others do not, or losing touch with reality — emergency department evaluation is needed.
- Severe self-neglect (not eating, drinking, or caring for yourself) — emergency assessment is needed.
- 988 — Suicide Crisis Helpline Canada. Available, confidential, 24/7, by call or text.
- Alberta Mental Health Helpline — 1-877-303-2642. 24/7 support, advice, and referral.
- Kids Help Phone — 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868 (under 20).
Why TelePlus Care for Online Depression Treatment
We focus on doing first-line depression care well: validated screening, evidence-based prescribing, honest follow-up, and a clear referral path when more is needed.
- Licensed Canadian doctors experienced in primary-care mental health pharmacotherapy.
- Validated tools — PHQ-9 and GAD-7 — used at every visit to track response objectively.
- Same-week virtual appointments rather than months-long waits.
- secure virtual care visits for insured Alberta residents; clear appointment steps where booking process does not apply.
- Honest scope — we treat mild to moderate depression and refer severe, complex, or treatment-resistant cases to specialty psychiatry.
- PIPEDA-compliant secure platform protected by Alberta's Health Information Act.
Online Depression Treatment — Fast, Convenient Virtual Care
Connect with a licensed healthcare provider from the comfort of your home. No referral needed — book your virtual appointment today.
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TelePlus Care is not an urgent care clinic. If you have an emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest urgent care facility.
What to expect from online counselling
Meet your provider
Talk privately by secure video about stress, anxiety, low mood, focus, grief, relationships, or life changes.
Leave with next steps
Use the conversation to identify practical support and decide whether counselling follow-up or another care pathway fits.
Know the scope
Counselling is non-emergency support; it does not guarantee a diagnosis, prescription, or physical examination.
Cost
$80 CAD per counselling appointment, shown before payment. Ask your insurer whether your plan reimburses the provider.
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