For many people battling depression, the standard route, therapy plus medication, is not enough. Despite trying everything doctors recommend, they remain stuck in darkness. This is known as treatment-resistant depression (TRD), and it affects millions. If this is your story or someone you love, Suzanne K. Oliver has a message for you: do not give up, there are still options.

In her powerful book Right Now! Suzanne devotes an entire section to alternative therapies for depression that just will not budge. Her guidance is born from painful experience, losing her son and husband to suicide despite their attempts to get help. She wants readers to know: you are not out of options.

What Is Treatment-Resistant Depression?

TRD is typically defined as depression that does not improve after trying at least two different antidepressants at adequate doses and duration. For some, it means years of struggle. For others, it feels like hope is slipping away.

But Right Now! Introduces a variety of emerging and holistic therapies that may offer relief, especially when conventional approaches have failed.

1. Ketamine Therapy

Originally used as an anesthetic, ketamine is now being used in clinical settings to treat severe depression, especially suicidal ideation. It works differently from traditional antidepressants, acting quickly (sometimes within hours) to reduce symptoms.

Suzanne discusses the science, risks, and potential of ketamine infusions or ketamine nasal spray (Spravato®), and encourages readers to find a licensed provider if this route feels right.

2. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

TMS uses magnetic pulses to stimulate parts of the brain involved in mood regulation. It is non-invasive, FDA-approved, and has shown positive results in people who have not responded to medications.

Suzanne notes that TMS can be a powerful option for those who want to avoid medications or who suffer from their side effects.

3. Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)

Often misunderstood due to outdated stereotypes, ECT is a highly controlled procedure that can offer rapid relief for severe, life-threatening depression.

In Right Now!, Suzanne handles the topic with care, highlighting both its benefits and considerations, reminding readers that desperate times do not require desperate measures, just informed ones.

4. Functional Brain Imaging

Suzanne introduces readers to the work of clinics like Amen Clinics, which use SPECT scans to see how a person's brain is functioning. This imaging can reveal underactive or overactive areas that may inform a more targeted treatment plan.

Brain scans do not “solve” depression, but they can change the conversation, and the strategy.

5. Integrative and Holistic Therapies

Suzanne believes that healing the body can help heal the mind. She encourages exploring:

  • Chiropractic care to relieve nervous system tension
  • Acupuncture for emotional and physical balance
  • Massage therapy for relaxation and trauma release
  • Supplements like Omega-3s, magnesium, and B vitamins
  • Nutrition-focused psychiatry, which links gut health and mood

6. Spiritual and Energetic Tools

Sometimes, depression lives in places medicine cannot reach. Suzanne includes these complementary tools for emotional alignment:

  • Sound healing and vibrational therapy
  • Prayer, meditation, and visualization
  • Reiki and energy work
  • Gratitude and forgiveness practices

While not clinical “treatments,” these practices can support emotional stability and provide inner peace, especially when traditional methods fall short.

Why This Matters

In Right Now! Suzanne writes with urgency and compassion. She knows what it feels like to run out of options, and she knows what it is like to find new ones.

“If something does not work, it does not mean you are broken,” she writes. “It just means the treatment was not the right fit. Keep going. Keep searching. You are worth it.”

Final Thoughts: There is Always another Way

Treatment-resistant depression is real. It is painful. And it is often invisible. But Right Now! Proves that hope is not lost. New paths are emerging every day, and your healing might be just around the corner.

For a full guide to these options and more, visit Suzanne K. Oliver's website or order Right Now! On Amazon.