Effectiveness of Counselling for Depression
Everyone craves the feeling of emotional wellbeing - managing stress well, building positive relationships, making decisions with a calm mind rather than second guessing our choices, understanding our emotions – but how do we get there? Emotional wellbeing isn’t just the absence of negative emotions such as depression, it is also the ability to feel positive, fulfilled, and manage challenges without feeling they are going to derail our equilibrium. But how do we achieve this in a world that prioritises achieving over being?
Counselling provides a safe and confidential space for people to come and talk through their thoughts, feelings, and worries. Being heard by someone who isn’t there to judge but rather to help clear the clutter in the mind can be incredibly cathartic. It also provides a space to promote self-awareness and empowerment which is a cornerstone of emotional wellbeing. Along with this, counselling provides an effective strategy to identify and address what is causing feelings of depression.
As a counsellor, I work with many people suffering from depression. I help them explore past experiences, unpack thought patterns, and develop a deeper understanding into the behaviours that may be feeding their depression. When we examine these things together, it empowers you to adopt healthier coping mechanisms, which in turn helps build their emotional resilience.
The best news of all is that depression is among the most treatable of mental health disorders. Between 80%-90% of people with depression will at some point find they are responding well to therapy and gain some relief from the depression they are struggling with. (https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/depression/what-is-depression#:~:text=Depression%20is%20among%20the%20most,some%20relief%20from%20their%20symptoms.
Different Types of Counselling for Depression
The realm of counselling is diverse, offering all kinds of approaches and interventions tailored to individual needs. At EMJ Counselling my goal is to make sure each person I see receives their own unique counselling experience that fits with them. This includes the approaches and interventions used to help the person improve their emotional wellbeing.
Some of the approaches used to help with depression may be Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which focuses in on modifying negative thought patterns, or a Person-Centred Therapy which prioritises self-exploration and personal growth. A favourite of mine is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which encourages a person to be open and adaptive in their thinking while at the same time accepting where they are currently at in their thoughts and feelings while still striving for change.
Often people find that just by talking to someone who is engaged and non-judgemental can be cathartic and can help them find clarity. By using a mixture of approaches, people can find the right method that aligns with their unique preferences and needs to help manage and move through depression.
What to Expect During Counselling
Often people who come to see me for the first time are nervous and aren’t sure what to expect. Counselling is a place where people can come and talk without any fear of judgement or expectatations to perform a certain way. It is a space where they can speak their thoughts and have a skilled therapist help guide them through self-exploration, unpack the layers of depression that they are struggling with, and empower them with new and healthy coping strategies.
Depression doesn’t have to be forever
The journey towards emotional wellbeing often involves seeking support, and counselling has proven to be a valuable and effective ally in helping reduce feelings of depression. By understanding the purpose of counselling, exploring different therapeutic approaches, and engaging with a therapist who you feel comfortable with, depression doesn’t have to be forever.
The benefits of counselling can extend beyond the initial reason you started the journey. It can have positive long-lasting impact on your life, improving your resilience and self-awareness, and empowering you to live a life centred in emotional wellbeing. If you feel this is for you, please reach out today.
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