Counselling for Depression

Alongside many years experience, I have a specialist qualification in working with mild to moderate depression ~ PCE-CfD  (Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression) completed with Metanoia Institute, London. 

No Shame

There is no shame in feeling depressed ~ you are not your depression.

We all feel sad and low at times, but depression leads us to feel this way for weeks or months at a time. 

As with everything we go through, we will have an experience that is unique to us, but there are common themes, often one of those is experiencing anxiety alongside. 

Symptoms

Depression can affect us emotionally, cognitively and physically, so a body, mind, emotion approach addresses the whole of us.

• We may recognise feeling flat, empty, numb, hopeless, tearful, irritable or angry. 

• We may feel like we are under a black cloud, in a dark hole, or being followed around by a black dog (Book - ‘I had a Black Dog: His name was Depression’ – Matthew Johnstone) 

• We may experience feeling heavy or as if we are moving in slow motion somehow.

• We will likely experience a loss of joy in things that we would normally look forward to.

• We may have less energy and feel tired or fatigued. Our motivation can feel as if it has disappeared and our bodies may feel sore or ache.

• Our sleep and appetite can be affected too, along with our concentration and self-confidence.

• We may want to isolate ourselves, whilst at the same time, feel alone, dismissed or left out. 

• Excessive self-criticism can lead to low self-esteem, and this in turn can maintain depression.

There can be confusing, contradictory experiences happening for us, and if all of this has been a gradual process, we may not recognise that we are experiencing depression as it has just become our norm. 

Feeling Lost 

Many different things can lead us to experience depression, such as; 

• A distressing life event such as a relationship breakdown, redundancy, conflict or a bereavement.

• Post-natal depression can occur at any time during the first year after having a baby. 

• SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) relates to changes in seasons, so tends to impact us at about the same time every year.

• Continually dismissing our own needs. We may be unaware of them, but there will be reasons why we do this that counselling can help you explore and address. 

• Childhood experiences can lead to depression in adulthood.

• Physical illness, long term health conditions and chronic pain. 

Ultimately, what our experiences mean to us affects how we feel and behave. 

Talking about these with an appropriately qualified counsellor can help us to gain comfort, clarity, new resources, and ultimately the chance to improve our quality of life.