Depression & Mood Regulation Treatment
Depression and difficulties with mood regulation can affect every part of daily life, from energy levels and relationships to decision-making and long-term goals. If you’ve felt weighed down by sadness, irritability, or emotional instability, you are not alone. At Journey to Wellness, we provide integrative psychiatric care designed to restore balance, improve resilience, and help you feel more like yourself again.
Our clinic, led by Jacqueline Materi APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC, offers advanced therapies including Exomind transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) alongside personalized psychiatric care and ketamine therapy to support recovery. Schedule a consultation today to begin your path toward healing.
Understanding Depression & Mood Regulation
Depression is more than occasional sadness. It is a mental health condition that can cause lasting changes in mood, motivation, thinking, and even physical health. Symptoms of depression may include:
Persistent sadness or emptiness
Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
Changes in sleep or appetite
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Low energy or fatigue
For some people, depression appears as major depressive disorder, with severe and recurring episodes. For others, it may present as moderate but ongoing sadness, burnout, or loss of motivation.
Mood regulation is the skill of noticing what you feel, naming it, and guiding your response so emotions do not run your day. Healthy regulation has a few parts: awareness of body cues and thoughts, the ability to calm the nervous system, choosing helpful actions, and returning to balance after stress. Depression can disrupt each step. It can narrow attention to the negative, drain energy, and make emotions feel either flat or overwhelming. Treatment rebuilds these skills so you can think clearly, act with purpose, and feel more steady.
At Journey to Wellness, we start by strengthening the foundations:
Emotional awareness and labeling: learning to recognize patterns and triggers.
Tolerance and calming: using breathing, sleep habits, and movement to settle the body.
Modulation: reducing the intensity and length of difficult feelings.
Goal-directed action: taking small, values-based steps even when motivation is low.
Connection: using supportive relationships to buffer stress and improve perspective.
This approach addresses the full picture of mood regulation, not just symptoms, so gains are more durable and practical in everyday life.
What Causes Depression & Mood Regulation Challenges?
Depression and difficulties with mood regulation can arise from a mix of biological, emotional, and environmental factors:
Brain chemistry and hormones: Imbalances in neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine affect mood and motivation.
Genetics: A family history of depression or mental illness can increase risk.
Life stressors: Trauma, loss, relationship struggles, or chronic stress can all contribute.
Medical conditions: Chronic illness, pain, and certain medications can influence mood.
Lifestyle factors: Poor sleep, limited physical activity, or substance use may worsen symptoms.
No matter the cause, treatment is possible. At Journey to Wellness, we look at the whole person to create care plans that address both underlying contributors and daily struggles.
How Exomind Helps with Depression & Mood Regulation
Exomind is an advanced form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an FDA-approved, noninvasive brain stimulation therapy for major depressive disorder. Exomind uses gentle magnetic pulses to stimulate areas of the brain involved in mood and motivation. This helps “reset” brain activity, allowing for improved balance in mood regulation.
This approach may be especially helpful for patients who have experienced side effects like weight gain from psychiatric medications, or whose condition has not responded to such medications—an unofficial diagnosis known as “treatment-resistant depression”.
Exomind is evidence-based, safe, and requires no anesthesia or downtime. Patients sit comfortably during each outpatient session and can return to normal activities immediately afterward.
Benefits of Exomind
Relief from symptoms of depression
Improved ability to manage emotions and stress
Stronger decision-making and self-control
Restored motivation and energy to achieve goals
Strengthened resilience in relationships and daily life
A drug-free, noninvasive approach with minimal side effects
Why Choose Journey to Wellness?
Journey to Wellness was founded by Jacqueline Materi APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC, with a vision to bring integrative psychiatric care to Bismarck and the surrounding communities of North Dakota. We believe healing happens best when patients are supported as whole people—not just a diagnosis.
Our clinic combines advanced treatments like Exomind with traditional psychiatric services, lifestyle guidance, and personalized care. Patients can expect a warm, compassionate environment where their stories are heard, their goals are honored, and their well-being is the top priority.
Other Solutions to Explore
While Exomind can be life-changing, many patients benefit from combining therapies for the most effective treatment possible. Other supportive options include:
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy): Approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) help patients reshape thought patterns and improve coping skills.
Psychiatric Medication: Antidepressant medications, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may be appropriate for some patients, especially in cases of severe depression.
Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, improved sleep habits, and a balanced diet containing brain-supporting nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids can all play important roles in stabilizing mood.
Mindfulness & Stress Management: Practices like meditation, journaling, or yoga can help regulate emotions and support self-control.
Light therapy: In cases of seasonal affective disorder, exposure to bright light may improve mood.
Support Networks: Help from family members and attending peer support groups can foster stronger relationships and reduce isolation.
Alternative therapies: Some people find relief with alternative treatments, including herbal supplements like St. John’s wort, and traditional Chinese medicine practices like acupuncture.
At Journey to Wellness, we design care plans that integrate these approaches, giving each patient the best chance for long-term recovery.
Take the Next Step
You do not have to face depression or mood regulation challenges alone. Relief is possible, and the right support can help you regain joy, balance, and motivation in life.
Contact Journey to Wellness in Bismarck, ND today to schedule a consultation with Jacqueline Materi, APRN, CRNA, PMHNP-BC. Together, we will create a personalized plan to restore your mental health and empower you to thrive.
