In this episode of the Thyroid Pharmacist Healing Conversations podcast, Dr. Izabella Wentz interviews integrative psychiatrist Dr. Achina Stein and patient advocate Silvia Covelli, co-founders of the Healing Depression Project, to explore a revolutionary new approach to treating depression. They reveal how depression often stems from underlying root causes like gut dysfunction, inflammation, trauma, and nutrient deficiencies. Listeners will gain valuable insights into why the conventional model falls short and how addressing biology and lifestyle can lead to real emotional transformation.  

Listeners will learn about:

Conventional psychiatry often misses root causesDepression is typically treated with a diagnosis and a prescription — often skipping deeper evaluation. Labs like B12, iron, vitamin D, and thyroid markers are rarely run, even though deficiencies can cause depression-like symptoms. Dr. Stein notes, “We used to do this routinely. Now it's fallen off the radar.”

Inflammation is the true root — not a chemical imbalanceNeurotransmitter imbalances are a downstream effect of chronic inflammation. Dr. Stein emphasizes the need to investigate inflammatory triggers like poor gut health, nutrient deficiencies, mold toxicity, and hormonal imbalances — especially during perimenopause and postpartum.

Mold toxicity is a hidden and devastating triggerOver half of the Healing Depression Project participants had elevated mold toxins — often without visible mold in their environment. Symptoms ranged from depression and anxiety to fatigue and skin rashes. Mold exposure requires immediate detox support, often with binders, before any other treatment can succeed.

Therapeutic ketogenic diet led to remission in 50% of participantsIn just 26 days, half of the program’s participants — who had treatment-resistant depression for an average of 25 years — reached full remission using a gluten-free, dairy-free ketogenic diet paired with foundational lifestyle changes like sleep hygiene, movement, and meditation.

Psychodrama therapy offered powerful trauma releaseTen days of immersive group-based psychodrama provided the equivalent of 50+ hours of traditional therapy. Participants processed and rewrote core traumatic experiences, contributing significantly to emotional breakthroughs.

Sustainable recovery requires daily actionDepression healing isn’t passive — it requires intentional shifts in daily habits. Silvia Covelli emphasizes: “This isn’t a magic pill. It’s a system. But when you commit, it changes everything.”

Supportive nutrients and testing are essentialTools like betaine HCl, bile salts, selenium, zinc, and testing for hormone imbalances, mold toxins, and gut dysbiosis were critical in individualizing care. The team emphasizes personalization and ongoing support after the in-person retreat.

Tune in to learn more about how innovative approaches to depression can empower individuals on their journey to healing.

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For the full list of resources and products mentioned in this episode, and to get the full episode transcript, see complete show notes here: https://thyroidpharmacist.com/articles/podcast/