Depression is perhaps one of the most stigmatised mental health disorders. Its symptoms are sometimes dismissed as laziness, or otherwise not taken seriously. The reality is that depression is influenced by a range of factors, including genetic vulnerability, medications, physical health, stressful events, and mood distortions that are determined by billions of chemical interactions in your brain.
I use cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques that can help to manage depressive symptoms. CBT is one of the best-validated therapeutic approaches for the treatment of depression1. CBT can help you challenge the dysfunctional thoughts that make life harder for you.
If you think you may have depression, or you’d like support managing it, I can help. You can book a free initial consultation, where we can discuss your situation. If appropriate, I will also administer a screening questionnaire for depression, which we’ll use to assess your situation and inform further treatment.
If you decide work with me, I will teach you about depression and what it does to your brain. While the heart is the organ historically associated with our feelings, it is actually our brain that is to blame. I will teach you how your thoughts are connected to your emotions, behaviour and physiological reactions. Together we will start teaching your brain to be kinder, and you to be happier and stronger.
If you are already on medication for depression, you may still find it useful to see a therapist. There is a compelling body of research showing that medication in combination with cognitive behavioural therapy can be more effective than medications alone2. Please note that I am not a psychiatrist, and cannot recommend or prescribe medications for you.
When depressed, it’s hard not to identify yourself with your illness. In fact, when depressed, it can be hard to do most things. It takes real courage to trust someone when you are depressed. I hope you decide to seek help and find a therapist that works for you.
Further reading
Li, Jia-Mei, et al. “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Psychiatry Research, vol. 268, 2018, pp. 243–250., doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2018.07.020.↩
Hofmann, Stefan G, and Jasper A J Smits. “Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Adult Anxiety Disorders: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trials.” The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2008.
Coffey, Scott F, et al. “Common Questions About Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Psychiatric Disorders.” AAFP, Am Fam Physician, 1 Nov. 2015.↩