Depression Therapy

Is Depression Robbing You Of Energy And Meaning?

Have you been struggling with unrelenting low moods?

Does life feel pointless, or you’ve lost your drive and motivation?

Maybe you wake up feeling exhausted and find that everything you do takes tremendous effort and energy.

You might feel trapped in a cycle of negativity, where you’re constantly overthinking and criticizing yourself, or dwelling on negative thoughts and past mistakes.

It could be that things feel so black, and so relentless, you’ve had thoughts of suicide.

Depression Can Affect Every Area Of Your Life

Depression can be all-consuming. It can slowly steal your joy, motivation, and ability to engage in life.

Often one of the first signs of depression is exhaustion and lack of energy. It’s common to wake up tired, dreading all the things you must do. Even the simplest tasks begin to feel impossible. Depression can make you wish you could simply go back to sleep and have everyone leave you alone.

Over time, depression can impact your work and relationships. Depression can make it hard to concentrate, so your normal capabilities suffer. This in turn can lead to feelings of guilt and shame. You may worry that you’re letting others down. It can feel like your symptoms are creating a barrier in your relationships, as no one quite understands what you’re going through.

Depression can also have a huge impact on your thoughts. When we are depressed we tend to view everything more negatively. Black-and-white thinking, such as “I always mess up”, or “Life will never be OK for me”, becomes the norm. Hopelessness can take over.

And when it seems there’s no way to change your situation, suicidal thoughts can creep in as the mind casts around for any escape route, no matter how extreme.

There Is A Way Through All This

Many people find antidepressants helpful… but medication doesn’t suit everyone. Maybe you dislike taking meds, or worry about becoming dependent on them. Perhaps you’re concerned about the side-effects. Sometimes you just can’t seem to find a drug that works for you. Or it may be that you really want to address the root cause of your depression, rather than just permanently medicating the symptoms.

This is where therapy can help. In my experience, depression is a messenger. It tells us there is something amiss, or out of balance, in our lives. But there is always a way through. The key lies in us figuring out what your depression is trying to tell you, at this point in your life.

Whatever The Reason For Your Depression, Therapy Can Help You Rediscover Your Natural Energy And Joy

Depression can result from having a basic human need that is not being met properly. This can happen even when most of your life is going well. For example, if you face an absence of things like security, or autonomy, or intimacy and connection, or community, it’s natural to feel down.

Depression can also arise when there are emotions or memories (such as anger or trauma) that you are unconsciously supressing. This can mean you expend all your internal energy pushing down that emotion, leaving you chronically short of resources and motivation for the rest of life.

It could also be that your depression is a completely understandable response to loss or trauma. It can feel utterly overwhelming to meet such pain alone.

When we speak, we’ll spend some time getting to know your depression, learning where it comes from and what needs to happen for it to be able to shift.

Whatever your depression is signalling, together we can discover your unique way forwards, to a life that feels nourishing and meaningful.

Maybe You Still Have Some Questions About Therapy For Depression…

“Do I have to take medicationto treat my depression?”

Western medicine often views a combination of drugs and psychotherapy as the ‘gold standard’ for treating depression. And because drugs are easy to prescribe, that’s often the first port of call for busy GPs.

But antidepressants are optional. Some people find them helpful, others don’t, or they simply prefer not to take them.

I work with those who are already on medication when they start therapy, or who would like to start both at once; and also those who want to come off medication or avoid it altogether. We’ll discuss what you’re finding helpful or unhelpful, and review how it’s affecting you physically and emotionally, so that you can feel better informed and more confident when discussing prescriptions with your doctor where necessary.

“Could my depression be due to hormones or other physical causes?”

Many physical issues have a major impact on mood and emotions. We know that women are at higher risk of serious depression at times of major hormonal flux, such as post-birth or during menopause. Older adults can face medical conditions causing restricted blood flow, which can result in ‘vascular depression’. And many of the neurochemicals involved in regulating mood are produced in the gut.

All this means that issues such as hormonal balance, nutrition and overall physical health are important considerations when looking holistically at depression. When we talk, we’ll think through some of these issues together, so you can be proactive about lifestyle changes or medical appointments where this seems helpful.

“I’ve felt this way for so long, can therapy really help?”

The negative thoughts and sense of hopelessness that often come with depression can make it difficult to believe that healing is possible. But in therapy you can explore these thoughts with more clarity, understand what they’re about, and begin to implement changes that support your emotional and physical wellbeing.

If you’ve been trying to overcome depression on your own with little success, you might be surprised by how much progress you can make with the support of a compassionate therapist.

Taking The Next Step

Depression doesn’t have to hold you back in life. I have helped hundreds of people find their way out of darkness and despair to a life of meaning and vitality. If you want to leave depression behind you for good, just contact me to book a first session together.

“Sarah took great care and attention in listening and relating to my thoughts. I never felt rushed or pitied. I felt I could talk with ease and without judgement… her help is appreciated so much!”

Feedback from a client