Clinical trials · California
Depression clinical trials in California
We’re tracking 127 recruiting depression studies with a site in California — including Phase 2, Phase 2/Phase 3, Phase 3 and Phase 4 studies, each written for real people, not researchers.
Recruiting studies in California
- NCT06856057Recruiting
Support for caregivers and kids after injury
This study helps parents and young children cope with stress after a hospital stay for an injury. It tests a program to improve mental health for both caregivers and kids.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06823024Enrolling by invitation
Using speech patterns to predict treatment response in depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder
This study tests if a computer algorithm can analyze your speech to predict how well you will respond to treatments like TMS or Spravato. It aims to create a simple tool that helps doctors choose the right treatment for you.
Sunnyvale, CaliforniaAges 18–68 - NCT06175104Recruiting
HeartGPS: Support for parents after a prenatal heart diagnosis
This study tests a counseling program for parents whose unborn baby has a serious heart condition called single ventricle. The program aims to help parents manage stress and support their baby's development before and after birth.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT05922878RecruitingPhase 2
ALTO-300 study for moderate to severe depression
This trial tests ALTO-300 as an add-on treatment for people with moderate to severe major depressive disorder (MDD). It aims to see whether ALTO-300 helps improve depression symptoms when you’re already on a stable antidepressant.
Bellflower, CaliforniaAges 18–70 - NCT06768749Recruiting
Melatonin lotion for better sleep and mood
This trial tests whether using a scented melatonin lotion before bed can improve sleep and reduce anxiety or depression symptoms. It may be a good fit if you have mild sleep problems and some mood symptoms but are not currently taking medication for them.
Redlands, CaliforniaAges 18–21 - NCT05908565Recruiting
Digital therapy program for Latinx college students in East LA
This study tests a digital (online) prevention and therapy program called STAND to see if it improves engagement and outcomes. You may be able to participate if you’re a Latinx student at East Los Angeles College and can complete online assessments.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–40 - NCT06748222RecruitingPhase 3
Online mindfulness program for breast cancer survivors
This trial tests a 6-week online mindfulness program to help breast cancer survivors manage mild to moderate depression. You may qualify if you finished active treatment within the last 5 years and can use a digital device.
Vacaville, CaliforniaAges 18–50 - NCT06639477Recruiting
Mood and sleep improvement study for older adults
This study tests whether adding a sleep treatment to regular depression medication can improve both mood and sleep in adults aged 55 and older. It may help if you have ongoing depression, sleep problems, and are already taking antidepressant medication.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 55 years+ - NCT06605105Enrolling by invitationPhase 3
Long-term extension trial of CYB003 for depression
This long-term study is for people who already completed an earlier trial of the experimental drug CYB003 for major depression and who stayed on their regular antidepressant. It looks at the safety and effects of taking CYB003 again over many months.
Glendale, CaliforniaAges 18–85 - NCT06583395Enrolling by invitation
Meditation retreat study with fitness tracker
This trial studies people attending a 7-day meditation retreat to see how meditation affects well-being. You will wear a fitness tracker and answer surveys.
Palm Desert, CaliforniaAges 21 years+ - NCT06569303Recruiting
Filipino family health study for parents of children 8–12
This study offers a free parenting program for Filipino families with children ages 8–12 to help strengthen family bonds and manage challenges together. It is designed to understand what works best for your community.
Pasadena, CaliforniaAges 8 years+ - NCT06526078Recruiting
Combining brain training with ketamine for depression
This study tests if adding computer-based cognitive training to ketamine treatment can improve mood in people with depression that hasn't responded to other treatments. It aims to see if the combination works better than ketamine alone.
Oakland, CaliforniaAges 18–80 - NCT06430853Enrolling by invitation
Pregnancy support study for moms with anxiety or depression
This study tests if a mental health program during pregnancy can help mothers with past or current anxiety or depression. You'll get support and you may feel better and have a healthier pregnancy.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06373718Recruiting
How sleep affects emotions in insomnia with low mood
This study explores how improving sleep might help regulate emotions in people who have both insomnia and mild depressive symptoms. You could help researchers understand the link between sleep and mood.
Palo Alto, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05645575Recruiting
Inpatient TMS for treatment-resistant depression
This study tests an in-hospital brain stimulation treatment (TMS) for people with moderate to severe depression who did not improve after multiple antidepressant treatments. It may help your mood by targeting brain circuits involved in depression, and you would follow an intensive accelerated schedule.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06273527RecruitingPhase 2/Phase 3
Thinking skills training for mood and anxiety
This study tests whether a computerized training program can help people with mood, anxiety, or trauma-related disorders who struggle with repetitive negative thinking. If you are an outpatient and can have an MRI, this may be a good fit.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 21–55 - NCT06273137Recruiting
Positive affect treatment for teens with early adversity
This trial tests a treatment designed to improve positive emotions in adolescents who have experienced stressful early life events. It may help your teen build resilience and emotional wellbeing.
Irvine, CaliforniaAges 12–16 - NCT06162741Recruiting
Brief mindfulness training for Veterans in primary care
This study tests whether brief mindfulness training offered in VA primary care can help Veterans with symptoms of PTSD, depression, or anxiety. It aims to see if this approach works well in everyday clinic settings.
San Diego, CaliforniaAges 18 years+ - NCT06139861Recruiting
Better Sleep Study
This study tests a program to help you sleep better. It is for people who are generally healthy and do not have serious medical or mental health conditions.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 12–18 - NCT06073886RecruitingPhase 2
Better brain stimulation for long-lasting concussion symptoms
This trial tests whether personalized brain stimulation can help people who have ongoing symptoms more than 20 on a standard concussion scale, such as headaches, dizziness, or trouble concentrating, after a mild head injury in the past year.
Westwood, Los Angeles, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT06034821Enrolling by invitationPhase 4
ECT vs. ketamine for suicidal depression in adults
This trial compares two treatments—ECT (electroconvulsive therapy, which uses electrical stimulation) and ketamine (a medicine given as a shot)—to see which works better for quickly reducing suicidal depression. It is for adults who are in a severe depressive episode with active suicidal thoughts.
San Francisco, CaliforniaAges 18–90 - NCT05996900Recruiting
Brain stimulation study for adults with epilepsy
This study uses advanced brain monitoring and noninvasive magnetic stimulation to understand how repetitive brain stimulation works in people with epilepsy who are already scheduled for hospital monitoring. It may help develop better treatments for seizures.
Stanford, CaliforniaAges 18–65 - NCT05869682RecruitingPhase 2
Bright light therapy for fatigue and depression in prostate cancer
This Phase 2 study tests whether a “bright white light” intervention can reduce cancer-related fatigue and depression in people with advanced prostate cancer receiving hormone-based treatment. If it works, it could improve day-to-day well-being while you’re on standard cancer therapies.
Duarte, CaliforniaAges 60 years+ - NCT05746767Enrolling by invitation
Spanish digital therapy coaching for depression and anxiety
This study tests a digital “cognitive behavioral therapy” program with peer support to help Spanish-speaking adults with depression or anxiety. It may help you manage symptoms using structured online tools and guided peer interaction.
Berkeley, CaliforniaAges 18 years+
Depression trials by city in California
Where these studies are running in California
Institutions with a site for the recruiting depression studies listed above.
- Children's Hospital Los Angeles · 3 studies
- Stanford University · 3 studies
- Acacia Clinics
- AIS Cancer Center at San Joaquin Community Hospital
- Behavioral Research Specialists, LLC
- CalNeuro Research Group
- Castro-Mission Health Center
- City of Hope
What taking part in a depression study involves
A screening visit first
Before anything else, the study team checks whether you fit — usually a visit with some tests. You can stop at any point, and screening is typically free.
Care at a nearby site
Study visits happen at a clinic or hospital taking part. Many studies cover the cost of the study treatment and related visits, and some reimburse travel.
You stay in control
Taking part is voluntary and you can leave a study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your regular care.
The team decides eligibility
Our fit check is a helpful first read, not a decision. The study team makes the final call after reviewing your health history.
Depression trials in other states
Common questions
- Are there depression clinical trials in California?
- Yes. We're currently tracking 127 recruiting depression studies with a site in California, each rewritten in plain language so you can see what it's testing and who it's for.
- How do I find out if I qualify for a depression study in California?
- Each study lists its eligibility rules — age, diagnosis, prior treatments. On every trial page we explain these in plain language and offer a short, optional pre-screen for a fit read. The study team makes the final decision.
- Do I have to live in California to take part?
- Not necessarily. These studies have a site in California, but eligibility is about your health, not your address — some people travel to take part, and a few studies reimburse travel. The study team can tell you what's required.
- Does it cost anything to join a depression trial?
- Using Clin2 is always free. Many trials cover the study treatment and related visits; some reimburse travel. The study team explains exactly what's covered before you decide.
Not the right time?
New depression studies open in California regularly. Set up a health profile and we’ll quietly watch for studies that fit you and email you when one opens.
Clin2 helps you find and understand clinical trials and does not provide medical advice. Study data comes from ClinicalTrials.gov. Talk with your doctor about whether a specific trial is right for you.