Psychotherapy for Depression
Depression is more than feeling sad. It's the absence of things — pleasure, motivation, energy, hope. It can make getting through an ordinary day feel like an enormous effort, and it can make it very hard to reach out for help.
If you're reading this, you've taken a step. At Turning Ground in Thornbury, our therapists offer genuine, skilled mental health support for depression — with no judgment, and no pressure. We work with adults across Melbourne who are ready to understand what's happening for them and find a way forward.
What is Depression?
Depression is a mental health condition characterised by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and lack of interest or pleasure in activities. Moreover, it may present alongside deep feelings of hopelessness, low or flat mood.
Depression affects how you think, feel, and handle daily activities, often impairing functioning in various aspects of life. It can be triggered by a combination of genetic, biological, environmental, and psychological factors.
In this sense, depression may be seen or understood as the ‘tip of the iceberg’, a manifestation of deeper underlying psychological causes which manifest as depression.
It’s important to note that depression is not simply feeling sad or down temporarily (though it may present episodically); it's a prolonged and pervasive state that can significantly impact one's quality of life if left untreated. While everyone experiences sadness or grief at times, depression involves a longer duration and severity of symptoms.
Common signs or symptoms of depression:
Persistent sadness: Feeling down or hopeless most of the time, lasting for weeks or months.
Loss of interest or pleasure: Losing interest in activities that were once enjoyable, including hobbies, socializing, or sex.
Changes in appetite or weight: Significant weight loss or gain, or changes in appetite (overeating or loss of appetite).
Sleep disturbances: Insomnia (difficulty sleeping) or hypersomnia (excessive sleeping), or disrupted sleep patterns.
Fatigue or low energy: Feeling tired or lacking energy, even after resting.
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt: Feeling worthless or excessively guilty, even when there's no rational reason.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions: Struggling to concentrate, remember things, or make decisions
Agitation or restlessness: Feeling restless, irritable, or having difficulty sitting still.
Physical symptoms: Such as headaches, digestive issues, or chronic pain that doesn't respond to treatment.
Thoughts of death or suicide: Thinking about death, dying, or suicide, or having a suicide plan or attempting suicide.
Common contributing factors to depression:
Depression is a complex condition influenced by various factors. Some major contributing factors include:
Psychological factors: A history of trauma (both of omission and commission) can increase the risk of developing depression. Additionally, ongoing stress, low self-esteem, negative thought patterns, and certain personality traits (such as perfectionism or pessimism) can contribute to depression.
Biological factors: Genetic predisposition may also contribute, as depression can run in families. Imbalances in certain brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine can play a role in depression.
Environmental factors: Stressful life events, such as the loss of a loved one, relationship problems, financial difficulties, or major life changes, can trigger or exacerbate depression. Living in a stressful or chaotic environment can also contribute to feelings of depression.
Social factors: Social isolation, lack of social support, or feeling disconnected from others can contribute to depression. Additionally, cultural and societal factors, such as discrimination, stigma surrounding mental illness, or limited access to mental health care, can exacerbate depressive symptoms.
If you are experiencing any of these factors, you are not alone.
Treatment approaches may vary and differ based on the presentation of the individual, and the factors contributing to the psychological challenges being faced.
Some approaches to addressing depression may include:
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: CBT is one of the most widely used and researched forms of therapy for depression. It focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to depression. Through CBT, individuals learn to challenge distorted thinking, develop coping skills, and gradually engage in activities they have been avoiding due to depression.
Psychodynamic Therapy: Psychodynamic therapy explores how past experiences, especially unresolved conflicts and early attachment patterns, influence current emotions and behaviours. By gaining insight into unconscious processes, individuals can develop a deeper understanding of their depression, and move to resolve internal conflicts as well as make changes to improve their emotional well-being.
Behavioral Activation (BA): BA focuses on increasing engagement in rewarding and meaningful activities to counteract depressive symptoms. It helps individuals identify and schedule enjoyable activities, set achievable goals, and gradually increase their level of activity and social interaction.
Mentalisation Based Treatment: Mentalisation-Based Treatment (MBT) for depression focuses on enhancing individuals' understanding of their own and others' mental states. Therapists help individuals clarify and reflect on thoughts, emotions, and intentions within the therapeutic relationship, aiming to improve emotional regulation and interpersonal functioning. By promoting reflective functioning and integrating various therapeutic techniques, such as psychodynamic interventions and mindfulness practices, MBT offers a structured approach to addressing depression by fostering mentalization and relational understanding.
As noted above, it's important to recognise that depression is often a result of multiple interacting factors and individual experiences may vary. Treatment typically involves a combination of therapy, lifestyle changes, and support from healthcare professionals and loved ones.
Our treatment approaches
for depression.
Psychotherapy for depression in Thornbury.
Book a free Discovery Call to explore your current situation, assess your needs, and be connected with the most suitable practitioner.
Resources for managing & understanding depression.
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'Coping With Depression: From Catch-22 to Hope' by Jon G. Allen
"Coping With Depression: From Catch-22 to Hope" by Jon G. Allen explores the intricate dynamics of depression, emphasizing the cyclical nature of its challenges and the potential for recovery through therapeutic interventions. Allen delves into the paradoxical traps individuals face and offers insights into breaking free from them, fostering hope and resilience in the journey towards healing.
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Depression Counselling in Thornbury — What to Expect
Your first session is simply a conversation. There's no assessment checklist, no pressure to have it all figured out. Your therapist will listen, ask questions, and begin to understand your experience.
From there, you'll work together to figure out how often to meet and what you most want to focus on. Some people prefer weekly sessions; others find fortnightly works better. We're flexible.
We offer both in-person sessions in our Thornbury rooms and telehealth sessions for clients across Melbourne. Medicare rebates may be available for eligible clients.
When Is It Time to Talk to Someone?
If low mood, flatness, or hopelessness has been present for two weeks or more — or if it's affecting your relationships, your work, or your daily functioning — it's worth reaching out.
You don't have to be in crisis to come to therapy. In fact, coming earlier often makes the journey shorter.
Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Therapy in Melbourne
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Depression is typically characterised by persistent low mood or loss of interest in life lasting more than two weeks. If you're unsure, the most useful thing is to talk to someone — a GP, a therapist, or a trusted person in your life. A free discovery call with one of our practitioners is a good place to start.
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It varies significantly depending on the person and the depth of what's being worked with. Some people experience meaningful improvement in 8–12 sessions. Others benefit from longer-term support. Your therapist will review progress with you and discuss what makes sense as you go.
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Therapist fit matters enormously. If a previous experience of therapy didn't help, it may mean the approach or the relationship wasn't quite right — not that therapy itself can't work for you. We'd encourage you to try a discovery call and see how it feels.
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Yes. We offer telehealth sessions for clients across Melbourne and Victoria. Many clients find accessing support from home easier when they're struggling with motivation or energy.
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Both can be helpful, and for many people a combination works best. Therapy addresses the underlying patterns and experiences that contribute to depression; medication can help stabilise mood enough to engage in that work. This is a conversation best had with both your GP and your therapist.
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Use our free discovery call. We'll talk with you about what you're looking for and match you with a therapist whose approach and personality suit you.