“The opposite of depression is not happiness, but vitality.” – Andrew Solomon
Understanding Depression and Low Mood
Depression is more than just feeling sad. It is a complex and very common condition that can drain your energy, hope, and motivation, making even simple tasks feel overwhelming. You might experience a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, changes in sleep or appetite, feelings of worthlessness, or difficulty concentrating. It’s important to know you are not alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 5% of adults globally suffer from depression, making it a leading cause of disability worldwide. In the UK, major depression affects about 1 in 6 adults at some point in their lives. These figures underscore that depression is a widespread and treatable health condition, not a personal failing.
How Therapy Can Help You Move Through Low Mood
Therapy offers a compassionate and effective path out of depression. It provides a confidential space to untangle the thoughts, feelings, and patterns that keep you stuck. The goal is not just to alleviate symptoms, but to help you understand their roots, rebuild a sense of agency, and reconnect with what gives your life meaning and pleasure. Recovery is a journey, and therapy can be a guiding light on that path.
Therapeutic Approaches for Depression and Low Mood
I integrate several evidence-based models to create a tailored approach for your experience of depression. Each offers a unique perspective and set of tools:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for Depression: CBT is a cornerstone of depression treatment. It focuses on identifying and challenging the automatic negative thought patterns and core beliefs (e.g., “I’m a failure,” “Nothing matters”) that fuel low mood. By changing these thought habits and reintroducing positive activities, CBT helps break the cycle of depression.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) for Depression: Specifically designed to prevent relapse, MBCT combines mindfulness practices with cognitive therapy. It teaches you to recognise the early warning signs of a depressive spiral and to relate to negative thoughts with mindful awareness rather than being pulled into them. The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends MBCT for those who have experienced recurrent depression.
- Psychodynamic Therapy for Depression: This exploratory approach seeks to understand how past experiences, unresolved grief, or internal conflicts may contribute to your current low mood. By discovering the problematic thoughts that may have been outside of your conscious awareness and bringing them to your awareness, they become available for change. You cannot change what you are not aware of. Such insights enable new ways of thinking and behaving that lift you out of depression.
- Positive Psychology for Depression: While not a standalone treatment for acute depression, Positive Psychology is a powerful adjunct. It helps counter the loss of interest and negative self-view by actively helping you identify strengths, cultivate positive emotions like gratitude and hope, and rebuild a sense of engagement with life.
- Person-Centred Therapy for Depression: The unwavering empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuine acceptance offered in this approach can be profoundly healing when you feel isolated, worthless, or judged. This safe relational environment fosters self-compassion and can rekindle the inner growth that depression often stifles.
Taking the First Step Towards Renewal
Reaching out for help when you’re depressed requires immense courage. That first step, though difficult, is the most important. I offer a free, confidential initial consultation to discuss what you’re going through, answer any questions you have about therapy for depression, and explore how we might work together to help you find your way back to a life that feels more vibrant and hopeful.