Depression Counselling Hamilton

Mental Health professionals don’t entirely agree on this answer, but from our experience and the statistical research it seems that the best therapy models for successfully treating depression are:

• CBT – Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
  • Helps to identify problematic beliefs and thoughts and gives skills in how to reframe and see them differently.
• Psychodynamic Therapy
  • Looks at patterns and conditioning from early childhood experiences and attachment modeling, to bring to light unconscious cycles.
• IFS – Internal Family Systems
  • Can reveal the purpose and motivations of different parts of the psyche, which can then lead to actual resolution and healing of wounded feelings.
• IPT – Interpersonal Therapy
  • This focuses on the relational aspect of life, facilitating expression and emotional attunement both inside the client and between the client and the therapist.
• Mindfulness/ MBCT
  • Mindfulness and/ or Mindfulness-Based cognitive therapy brings a deeper dimension of self-awareness, present moment orientation, and healthy objectivity to the work of cognitive reframing, which can profoundly enhance the power of the therapy, and its lasting effects.

Generally, the most powerful approach to treating depression uses medication as a way to give the system a boost in order to facilitate the harder depth work of psychotherapy. When they are used in combination, we get the best results. So it really should not be a question of one or the other, though it’s fair to have a preference

There is no single ‘best’ medication for depression since this is a very personal issue. Everyone reacts differently. Traditionally, SSRI’s are the gold standard, but this is something that you must talk to with your medical doctor.

As therapists, we cannot advise you on the actual medication you might take, though we are happy to have discussions about them, and help you as you make those decisions.

Besides engaging in the process of therapy and talking to your doctor about medication, there may be many ways to cope with depression that will alleviate its severity:

• Exercise is by FAR the most effective strategy to cope with depression. High intensity excerise will release way more ‘feel good’ chemicals in your body then even the best medication.
• Positive social interactions – with friends, family, loving partners – this offer huge potential boosts to mood and energy, not to mention the support.
• Mindfulness and meditation can bring calm and insight into both the body and the mind, and with practice, can be truly healing. We always recommend mindfulness as an adjunct to therapy and medication.
• Eating healthy – a balanced diet without extremes can have surprisingly supportive effects on mood and energy
• Sleep – sleep is the foundation of our mental and physical well-being. Without good sleep patterns we cannot possibly expect ourselves to function or feel well, so if this is problematc, make it a priority!

There are many factors and dimensions that can result in Depression, and part of the job of the therapist is to help to clarify some of them. Though we may never know, the major sources are:

• Genetics – which includes the possibility of inherited trauma
• Biological Factors – immune dysfunction or other illnesses or medical disorders can greatly influence our brain chemistry
• Trauma – significant events in early life greatly imprint upon the deep levels of mind and can result in depression later in life.
• Social or Relationship factors – disruptions to intimate relationships, family breakdowns, lack of friendly or community support, death and loss of loved ones- all these can trigger a cascade of deep emotion that can lead not just to low mood but to depression.
• Low Self-Worth/ Shame – this itself can come from various places, but it is almost impossible to live a joyous life when a person does not hold themselves in equal worth to others.
• Negative Thinking – I hesitate to say this is a source; it is more of a symptom that comes from those other sources, but certainly depression goes hand in hand with perceptions of life and the world that see the glass as ‘half empty’ rather than half – full, meaning fearful, pessimistic filters on life.

Good question! it is important to discern between ‘having a bad day’ and being depressed. These days a lot of people throw the word around in unhelpful ways.

The major signs and diagnostic criteria of depression are:

• Low mood most of the day, nearly every day for days or weeks
• Loss of interest (apathy) or inability to derive joy from things that would have previously
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, despair
• Changes to patterns like sleep, eating
• Diminished capacity for clear thinking
• Recurring or persistent thoughts of death, suicide, or extreme ways to escape the current conditions.

If you have even some of these symptoms, please talk to a friend or mental health professional!