This short mental health wellness check can help you get a sense of what you’re experiencing.
It uses the PHQ‑9, a common tool that many healthcare providers use to understand symptoms of depression. It only takes about a minute.
This isn’t a diagnosis and doesn’t replace a clinical evaluation. Your results are meant to provide one preliminary point of information.
If you’re in immediate distress or having thoughts of harming yourself, please contact the crisis hotline at 988 or dial 911.
Let’s Get Started
Select how often you have experienced each symptom over the past two weeks:
Score Results
0–4: Minimal or no symptoms
You’re not facing flags for depression. You may be dealing with external factors which led you to take this assessment. We’re here to help you explore your context and grow.
Learn more about what therapy at KCC looks like
5–9: Mild symptoms
What you’re noticing matters. You may be catching symptoms early, or you’re used to pushing through them. Talking with a therapist can help you sort through what’s going on before it becomes harder to navigate on your own.
10–14: Moderate symptoms
A score in this range suggests you may be experiencing depression symptoms that are worth addressing. You don’t have to push through this alone.
A licensed therapist can help you navigate supports and work through what you’re experiencing in a safe, structured space.
15–19: Moderately severe symptoms
Your score suggests you may be carrying significant weight right now. We encourage you to reach out for support with a mental health professional, psychiatrist, or your doctor.
Please don’t navigate this alone.
20–27: Severe symptoms
A score in this range indicates significant distress. Don’t wait to connect with a mental health professional, psychiatrist, or your doctor. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of self-harm, please reach out to a crisis line directly or call 911.
Resources
If you are in crisis or need immediate support, please see the crisis resources below.
Kennedy Counseling Collective provides ongoing outpatient therapy and is not a crisis or emergency service. If you are in immediate danger, please call 911.
A safe place to land
It’s an important step that you are checking on your mental health.
If you’re not in immediate crisis but you’ve been having a hard time, ongoing therapy can really help. At Kennedy Counseling Collective, our therapists support people dealing with depression, anxiety, and the everyday stress of life in the DMV. We’re here whenever you’re ready to take that next step.
Get a free, no-pressure call with Lindsey, our Matching Specialist, to find the right therapist for you.
Related Blog Posts
Want to learn more? Our therapists write about depression, stress, and mental health in the DMV.
- Self-Improvement Band-Aids: Why Quick Fixes Don’t Stick, but Deep Work Lasts — Marjorie Strachman Miller, PhD (February 2026)
- Stress in DC: How to Build Resilience, Capacity, and Recovery — Morgan Barney (January 2026)
- Finding Resilience and Joy in Ancestral Wisdom — Marjorie Strachman Miller, PhD (April 2026)
Legal Disclaimer
This tool is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The PHQ-9 screening results are not a clinical diagnosis. Kennedy Counseling Collective is an outpatient mental health practice and does not provide crisis intervention or emergency mental health services. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Find a Therapist Who Understands You
Get a free, no-pressure call with our Matching Specialist to help you take the next step.