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Treatment-resistant depression clinic — Sydney
You're not alone — and it doesn't mean nothing will work. Around one in three people treated for depression are in the same position.
One video assessment with a Dokotela psychiatrist tells you where you stand and what's available to you, including TMS. Your GP stays informed throughout.
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What is treatment-resistant depression?
Depression that hasn't lifted after two or more antidepressants. Around one in three people treated for depression are in this position — and it opens access to treatments most people are never offered.
What happens — assessment, then treatment
The assessment is a video appointment with a psychiatrist, from home or your GP's practice. You'll leave knowing where you stand and what your psychiatrist recommends, and your GP receives a letter.
Treatment is different: you come into the clinic. A nurse gives you the treatment and stays with you while you're monitored for around two hours afterwards, so you can't drive home that day. Most people attend twice a week to start, easing to weekly.
Fees and funding
Better than most people expect. Your assessment is billed as a standard Dokotela psychiatry consultation, and the treatments we offer carry Medicare or PBS subsidies for eligible patients. You'll have a written estimate before anything begins.
This clinic is for you if…
You've tried two or more antidepressants and they haven't done enough.
You want evidence-based next steps, not a third medication and another six weeks of waiting.
And our psychiatrist, your GP and the clinic team all worked from one plan.
Three steps to get started
Ask your GP for a referral to Dokotela, or register your interest and we'll walk you through it.
A psychiatrist reviews what you've tried and confirms exactly where you stand — from home, or your GP's practice.
Your psychiatrist builds the plan and sends it to your GP. If clinic-based treatment is recommended, you attend in person for those sessions, with reviews as you go.
Why choose Dokotela
A psychiatrist assesses you, plans your treatment and reviews your progress — the same doctor, start to finish.
Your assessment is by video with a psychiatrist from our network, so you're not waiting on one local clinic's calendar.
Your GP receives written updates at every stage, so everyone involved in your care is working together.
Register your interest
Our treatment-resistant depression clinic opens soon at Bondi Junction.
Sessions will initially be delivered through our network of preferred providers in Sydney, and at our own Bondi Junction clinic once it opens.
Registering takes under a minute and puts you among the first we contact when referrals open.
GPs and health professionals are welcome to register too.
Registering does not create a referral or an appointment. Please speak with your GP about your current care in the meantime.
Register your interest
Your questions answered
Depression is called treatment-resistant when at least two different antidepressant medicines, taken at the right dose for long enough, haven't brought enough relief. It affects as many as one in three people treated for depression, and it is not a dead end. A psychiatrist can confirm whether your history meets this definition and talk you through what can come next.
Clinically, it means depression that hasn't improved enough after at least two antidepressants, each taken at an adequate dose for long enough. In everyday terms: still little interest in things you used to enjoy, trouble concentrating, feeling disconnected — despite doing everything that was asked of you. Only a psychiatrist can confirm it, and that's what the assessment is for.
They work differently. TMS uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood. You stay awake, sessions run 20 to 40 minutes over several weeks, and Medicare supports an initial course for eligible adults.
Clinic-based treatment sessions work differently. You come in, a nurse gives you the treatment, and you're monitored for around two hours before you go home — so you can't drive that day. Most people attend twice a week at first, easing to weekly. PBS subsidies apply where criteria are met.
You don't need to choose. One assessment considers both and tells you which is appropriate for you — or whether neither is.
A psychiatrist assessment is the starting point. Your psychiatrist reviews your history and diagnosis, considers whether anything else may be contributing, and talks through the options that could suit you. Depending on your circumstances, that may include reviewing your current treatment, TMS, or a supervised clinic-based treatment program. Everything is discussed with you before any treatment begins.
Assessments and reviews with your psychiatrist are by video, so you can attend from home or from your GP practice anywhere in Australia. Treatment sessions are in person in Sydney — initially through our network of preferred providers, and at our own Bondi Junction clinic once it opens.
We are here to help.
TMS therapy — another option we offer
Non-invasive, Medicare-supported, and you drive yourself home afterwards.
This is not an emergency service. If you or someone you know needs help right now: Lifeline 13 11 14 · Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 · Beyond Blue 1300 224 636 · MensLine Australia 1300 789 978 · 13YARN 13 92 76 · Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800. In an emergency, call 000.
