What is Depression?
Depression Counselling in Lincoln and Louth
Counselling for Depression is very common place and a well acknowledged way of receiving help and guidance.
Depression is one of the most common types of mental health conditions and often develops alongside anxiety. Depression can be mild and short-lived or severe and long-lasting. Some people are affected by depression only once, while others may experience it multiple times. Counselling is good way to begin treating Depression at any stage of life.
Depression can also lead to suicidal thoughts or suicide itself, but this is preventable when appropriate counselling support is provided. It’s important to know that much can be done to help young and old people who are thinking about suicide.
Cathy Stones Counselling, Lincoln and Louth
Common Depression Signs and Symptoms
Depression - Lincoln & Louth
Experiences of depression can vary greatly, but there are of course common signs and symptoms. It is really important to keep in mind that these symptoms can be part normal life and the normal ‘lows’ experienced by everyone now and again. However, the more symptoms you have and the longer they have lasted, the more likely it is that you’re dealing with depression. When these symptoms are causing problems in your life receiving counselling can strengthen your ability to beat depression.
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Tiredness or low energy, even when rested
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Restlessness or difficulty concentrating
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Difficulty in carrying out daily activities
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Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
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Aches or pains that have no obvious cause
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Persistent sadness, anxiousness or irritability
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Loss of interest in friends and activities that they normally enjoy
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Withdrawal from others and loneliness
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Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt
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Taking risks they wouldn’t normally take
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Self-harming or suicidal thoughts
Benefits
Depression Counselling
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Learn to understand how the root causes of depression symptoms can block positive change
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Discover steps you can take to address the cause of depression and rebuild happiness
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Understand how particular behaviours can fuel symptoms of depression, and how to change these
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Learn to stop negative automatic thoughts
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Develop a tool kit to prevent depression recurring in the future
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Taking steps to address the cause of depression and rebuild happiness
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Understand how particular behaviours can fuel symptoms of depression, and how to change these
What Causes Depression?
Depression can happen as a reaction to something like abuse, bullying, the death of someone close or family problems like domestic violence or family breakdown. Someone might get depressed after being stressed for a long time. It can also run in the family. Sometimes we may not know why it happens, but still important to seek professional counselling services to dig deeper into the core of it.
Treating Depression With Counselling
For the initial treatment of major depression, doctors suggest a combination of antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Well-designed studies have shown that combination treatment is more effective than either treatment on its own. Nevertheless, either treatment can also be given alone, as studies have also shown that each is effective and comparable to the other.
Despite being comparably effective, one advantage of psychotherapy is that some of its benefits often persist even after active treatment ends. Psychotherapy may help people develop new coping skills as well as more adaptive ways of thinking about life problems. The same is not necessarily true of antidepressants; many who take antidepressants alone relapse after stopping them.
The quality of our lives depends on the quality of our relationships
As a counsellor I facilitate your own learning, increased awareness and understanding of yourself and the contexts you are in.
Helping you to reconnect to who you are and you are meant to be.
Some of the more presenting issues I work with:
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Relationships problems
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Marriage and reconnection
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Confidence/self esteem issues
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Loneliness or Abandonment
A safe, supportive and confidential setting where you can:
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Explore thoughts, feelings experiences.
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Learn new ways to deal with conflict, stress, anxiety in relationships.
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Work on confidence and self esteem.
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Work towards greater choice.
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Reconnect with who you are and live a more fulfilling and positive life.
Starting Counselling
Taking the decision to start the process of Depression Counselling with a therapist is a significant choice and moment.
It might feel both empowering and daunting at the same time. However, we can discuss this and find a way to conduct the first session in a way that suits you.
Find out more about me here.
Initial appointment
On our initial appointment we will focus on the issues and challenges that you are experiencing and discuss how to take things forward from there.
This first consultation gives you an opportunity to ask what you need to know regarding the counselling process.
Cathy Stones
The positives that can be gained from depression therapy and counselling are not just for people in life transitions and crisis. Therapy is also for those looking at their own self realisation, fulfilment and development.
I provide a secure, private and independent space where I can help you to develop awareness and understanding to take a more expansive view of life.
Depression Counselling
Therapy for Depression
All forms of counselling and therapies include support by helping you to make positive changes. There are many specific types of psychotherapy that are used to treat depression. Each works in a slightly different way, but all have been proven to help improve the symptoms of depression. What’s more, many psychotherapists use a combination of techniques when working with clients.
Options include the following:
●Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) – In CBT you work with a therapist to identify and reshape the thought and behaviour patterns that contribute to your depression.
●Interpersonal psychotherapy – In interpersonal psychotherapy, you focus on your relationships, the way that you interact with other people in your life, and the different roles you play. Often you learn new ways to interact that can help improve those relationships. You can see more about Individual Therapy here.
●Family and couples therapy – In family and couples therapy, you attend therapy sessions along with your partner or family members so that you can work together on the issues that are contributing to your depression.
●Problem solving therapy – In problem-solving therapy, you take a very practical and systematic approach to the problems in your life and find effective ways to solve them. If you are unemployed, for example, you work with your therapist to develop action steps you can accomplish as a way of achieving your goal of getting a job.
If you would like to know more about how counselling may help, please do get in touch via phone or email.
