TRD Outpatient Clinic

The Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) Outpatient Clinic at the UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry provides specialized evaluation and longitudinal outpatient care for individuals with persistent or complex depressive illness who have not responded adequately to standard treatments.

The clinic serves as both an initial access point to the TRD Program and a long-term care setting for patients who can be safely and effectively treated at the outpatient level.

Who We Serve

The TRD Outpatient Clinic is appropriate for patients who:

  • Have treatment-resistant depression, including chronic or recurrent illness
  • Have experienced limited benefit or intolerance to multiple antidepressant treatments
  • Require expert consultation to clarify diagnosis and treatment options
  • Are candidates for interventional treatments delivered in an outpatient setting
  • Are transitioning from IOP, PHP, or inpatient care and require ongoing follow-up

Evaluation and Care Model

Patients seen in the TRD Outpatient Clinic undergo a comprehensive diagnostic and treatment evaluation, which includes:

  • Detailed review of psychiatric history and prior treatment adequacy
  • Assessment of symptom severity, functional impairment, and safety
  • Use of measurement-based tools to guide clinical decision-making
  • Coordination with referring clinicians to support continuity of care

Based on this evaluation, patients are matched to individualized treatment plans within the TRD Program framework.

Services Provided

Outpatient TRD care may include:

  • Medication optimization and augmentation strategies
  • Evidence-based psychotherapy, when indicated
  • Interventional psychiatry treatments, such as:
    • Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
    • Intranasal Esketamine Therapy (SPRAVATO®)
    • Intravenous Ketamine Therapy
    • Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), when clinically appropriate

Clinicians with expertise in treatment-resistant mood disorders and interventional psychiatry deliver care.

Continuity and Escalation of Care

Patients in the TRD Outpatient Clinic are monitored regularly for symptom response, safety, and functional progress. When clinical needs change, patients may be:

  • Stepped up to IOP, PHP, or inpatient care
  • Referred for additional interventional treatments
  • Transitioned back to community providers with clear treatment recommendations

Through this flexible, outcomes-driven model, the TRD Outpatient Clinic aims to provide specialized, accessible, and effective care while serving as the foundation of the broader TRD Program.