Transformative Depression Therapy:
Combined Face-to-Face & Online Treatments for Overcoming Depression

How to Know if You are Depressed?

Each year millions of people suffer with depression, with 1 in 6 people in England reporting experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week.

Depression and anxiety are the most commonly diagnosed mental health conditions. Therefore, to help you clarify what depression actually is, I have included a definition here:

What is Depression?

Depression is a complex psychological condition that affects all levels of our being, including our thinking, our feeling world, our bodies, our behaviours and actions – what we do, or what we don’t feel able to do.

These different aspects and layers of depression are all interconnected and influence each other. For example, what effects the body often effects the mind, which in turn impacts on our feelings. Let me describe the different levels of depression in more detail, which may help you better understand what depression looks like from the outside and feels like on the inside.

Depression on the Physical Level:

You may experience a lack of energy, exhaustion, feeling tired, slowed down, or  a lack of energy, exhaustion and tiredness.

Often people describe having lost their vitality and zest for life.

Depression can effect your sleeping and eating patterns.

Some people feel sluggish, others restless, and often there are difficulties with concentration.

Depression on the Thinking Level:

• Depression is marked by negative thinking patterns, most often focused on feeling bad about yourself, the world and the future.
• A depressed mind tends to ruminate and is characterised by fixed, circular and repetitive thoughts.
• Depressed thinking tends to be ‘black and white’ – struggling to recognise the nuances and different shades of life’s experiences.

Depression on the Feeling Level:

Depression is marked by low mood and having difficulty experiencing pleasure – life feels empty and joyless.

Depression is often associated with feelings of loneliness, sadness, guilt, shame, anger and a sense of worthlessness.

Many people I have worked with have described feeling emotionally numb, emotionally frozen, empty or disconnected inside, which tends to  alternate with feeling overwhelmed.

You may also feel that life is ‘too much’, which often goes hand in hand with socially disengaging and hiding yourself away.

Depression can be present with differing intensity and severity. Imagine a spectrum from mild to moderate to severe – we can think about depression on this spectrum. Some people feel so depressed that they cannot get out of bed, and others are still managing work and all their responsibilities, but feel very unhappy inside.

Now you have read the typical symptoms of depression above, which of these, or similar signs are you experiencing?

If you recognise at least some signs on most days, there is a strong possibility you might be depressed. Contact me today and take advantage of my FREE 15-20 minute telephone consultation.

Regardless of why you may be depressed, the most important action for you to take now is to get the help you need & connect with someone who is able to listen, understand and professionally support and guide you through the process of getting better and overcoming your depression.

You don’t have to face these challenges alone.

With the support of effective depression treatment, we can work together to help you recover from your depression and associated emotional difficulties.

What is Living With Depression Like?

Depression can sometimes feel as if it has taken control of your life. It can leave you feeling isolated, lonely and ashamed. The nature of these feelings can make it hard to openly talk about what you are going through.

Being depressed can totally disrupt our lives, much like other serious illnesses can. However, a key difference is that depression is invisible, and therefore it can be difficult to recognise.

I have had the privilege to psychologically work with many individuals experiencing depression, and I found that every person has their own unique and individual life experience, in which their depression is embedded in. In time, most of my clients recover from depression and develop valuable inner resources, new emotional skills and resilience along the way.

The important message is that with professional help from a trained psychologist specialising in depression therapy, you will have the opportunity to explore, make sense of and overcome your depression. If you are ready, you will be able to develop new ways and skills in managing your thoughts and feelings. This, in turn, will help you live a healthier and happier life, and achieve a sense of inner balance and psychological well-being.

Most of my clients respond very well to depression therapy and not only overcome their depression, but learn and grow from their experience – your first step to getting on that road to recovery is to arrange your FREE, 15-20 minute telephone consultation with me.

With Depression Therapy Your Life Can Open to New Possibilities 

During my professional career, which involved over 25 years of study and clinical work, I have helped many people recover from depression.

In my therapy practice, it is one of my priorities to create a space in which a trusting therapeutic relationship can develop. This will allow and encourage you to gently and gradually explore and process any current and past distress, difficulties and trauma.

Remember, you are not alone.

With support, an open mind and some courage to taking these positive steps, you can find relief from the often overwhelming and debilitating experience of depression.

Depression therapy can lead to profound changes and new opportunities. When you start to better understand yourself and you begin to shift unhelpful patterns involving your feelings, thoughts and behaviours – life will open up again and bring new opportunities. This is likely to take some time. However, with commitment and support, you can discover or re-discover a sense of hope, enjoyment and meaning in your life.

What Makes Therapy Successful? 

Most clients I work with achieve a satisfying outcome. It is important to understand what makes therapy most successful. A good and positive outcome is achieved when both of us bring a certain set of ingredients to the process. For me, it is professional competence, authenticity, empathy, a curious and open mind. For you, it is your readiness and motivation to get better and change.

What happens during Depression Therapy Sessions? 

In the early sessions, we will explore in some detail your current difficulties and life situation, early life experiences, important relationships and life events. It is a bit like putting together a puzzle.

Why do we do this? We are collaboratively exploring and putting together an understanding of the contributing and maintaining factors of your depression within the context of your whole life. This is important, as an understanding of the causes of your depression will point the way forward into the next phase of the therapy process.

In the process, I will also introduce you to new psychological ideas, perspectives, emotional skills and tools, which are aimed at managing and overcoming your difficulties.

For example, I will support you in developing new ways of identifying, expressing and managing your thoughts and feelings, which is what depressed individuals struggle with most. These skills are vital in managing life, especially when we are faced with emotionally challenging situations such as disappointment, loss, trauma and change.

Let me assure you that when we start working together, I will draw on effective and reliable psychological therapy methods for depression that get straight to the heart of your difficulties.

What are the most common Therapeutic Approaches used during your Depression Therapy? 

I have had substantial training and experience in the following treatment modalities, which I will draw on in your depression therapy:

• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Attachment – Mentalization based Therapy (MBT)

These three therapy models combined have proven to be a powerful and effective method in alleviating and overcoming depression, and helping you deal with your emotional difficulties in a constructive,  effective and life-enhancing way.

Get the help you need now and arrange your FREE, 15-20 minute telephone consultation with me today and get depression therapy working for you.

(*Source – Mind.org.uk)