Patient description: A 46-year-old Asian woman with MDD complains of persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities. She states that her mood is still depressed most of the days. She complains of loss of energy and feelings of worthlessness nearly every day. She is on anti-depressants for the past 6 months, but the symptoms are still present. She does not drink alcohol or smoke. She used to exercise every day for at least 30 min., but she doesn't have enough energy to do so for the past 3 weeks. She also has some digestive issues recently. She is married and has 4 children. She is menopausal. Her husband was diagnosed with colon cancer a year ago and is undergoing chemotherapy. Her past medical history is unremarkable. Her family history is negative for any psychologic problems. Her HAM-D score is 20.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-65.0,  Depression Meeting the DSM-IV for unipolar major depressive disorder, as assessed by the Mini-Neuropsychiatric International Interview (MINI) HAM-D17 rating scale ≥ 14 Prior treatment with antidepressant medication during the present major depressive episode Adequate written and oral fluency in English to understand and complete study forms and converse with study personnel Willingness on part of both subject and treating clinician to not change antidepressant treatment, including medications, psychotherapy or other treatments, over the course of the study, unless necessary to provide for well being of subject  Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or any psychotic disorder including psychotic depression, dysthymia, mania or bipolar disorder, attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, alcohol or drug dependence, mental retardation, any pervasive developmental disorder or cognitive disorder (according to DSM-IV) criteria. Those with lifetime history of psychiatric conditions other than unipolar major depression will be also excluded Medically unstable, delirious, or terminally ill (e.g. medical illness requiring hospitalization or intense outpatient management, such as heart disease; heart attack in the past 6 months; congestive heart failure; severe heart arrythmias; unstable hypertension; poorly controlled diabetes; or pending surgery) Past history of skull fracture; cranial surgery entering the calvarium; space occupying intracranial lesion; stroke/ aneurysm; Parkinson's or Huntington's disease; or Multiple Sclerosis Participants regularly practicing (≥ 2 times per week) any of the techniques utilized in the study to reduce stress: meditation, guided imagery, yoga Current treatment with behavior therapy or psychotherapy Active suicidal plan as measured by HAM-D item 3 score of greater than or equal to 3, or history of suicide attempt during the current episode Utilization of cannabis or other illicit drugs more than once a month Excessive use of alcohol, i.e., men whose alcohol consumption exceeds 14 standard drinks per week or 4 drinks per day, and women whose alcohol consumption exceeds 7 standard drinks per week or 3 drinks per day Needing to adjust or change anti-depressant treatment, including medications, psychotherapy, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS), Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), or Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS)