Depression Counselling
“Navigating Depression: Seek Support Early
Everyone feels down sometimes. Depression is different; it’s when these feelings persist for weeks or months, disrupting your daily life and enjoyment.
If you are dealing with Depression, know that you are not alone. Depression is more common than many people realise. Identifying its signs and consulting a therapist is the crucial first step to working through and overcoming the fog and despair.
Depression is a widespread and serious mental health issue characterized by constant sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in daily activities. It impacts millions of people worldwide, affecting their feelings, thoughts, and ability to handle everyday tasks like sleeping, eating, and working. Depression can make it difficult to enjoy life and complete routine activities.
Approximately one in sixteen Singaporeans have suffered from major depressive disorder at least once in their lives.
Depression manifests in various ways, affecting your body, mood, behaviour, and thoughts. It’s not just about feeling sad; symptoms can include persistent low mood, tearfulness, irritability, anger, loss of interest in activities, fatigue, and reduced energy. You might also experience difficulty concentrating, self-confidence, appetite, and motivation. Depression can make you feel isolated yet compel you to withdraw from others, leading to feelings of hopelessness and the belief that others dislike you. Unexpected symptoms like unexplained aches or pains can also occur. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it’s essential to see your GP, as anxiety symptoms often accompany Depression.
Signs and Symptoms of Depression include
Physical Symptoms
- Changes in appetite — either decreased or increased
- Significant weight loss or gain
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or oversleeping
- Fatigue or a lack of energy, even with minimal activity
- Slowed movements or speech
- Unexplained physical problems, such as headaches or stomach aches
Emotional Symptoms
- Persistent sadness or a depressed mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, or worthlessness
- Excessive guilt or self-blame
- Activities that were once enjoyable are no longer enjoyable
- Irritability or frustration, even over small matters
- Anxiety and restlessness
Cognitive Symptoms
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions
- Indecisiveness or difficulty making choices
- Persistent negative thoughts and pessimism
- Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
Behavioural Symptoms
- Withdrawal from social activities and relationships
- Decreased participation in work or school
- Neglect of personal hygiene and self-care
- Increased use of alcohol or drugs
At Insightful Counselling, based in Singapore, we understand the unique challenges Depression can present. Our team of skilled therapists is here to help you through your journey to recovery.
At Insightful Counselling, we provide person-centered counselling for depression along with other evidence based treatments like Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Transactional Analysis, Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting Therapy, Hypnotherapy, Flash Techniques and more.
Our approach focuses on addressing the emotional issues underlying depression, helping you understand and overcome them.
– Target Emotional Problems: Address the root emotional issues of depression.
– Develop Understanding: Help you understand and make sense of these emotional problems.
– Reflect on New Meanings: Explore underlying feelings and reflect on new insights.
Some examples of underlying issues for Depression can include
– Relationship issues like breakups, divorce etc.
– Family history of Depression
– Financial issues
– Low self-esteem
– Health-related issues
– Loss of a dear family member or friend or a pet
– Past difficulties, including trauma and / or abuse that still impact in the present
– A sudden change in your hormones, such as after giving birth
– Other significant life-changing events
– Safe Environment: Talk openly about past and present issues in a confidential setting.
– Trained Counsellors: Work with our experienced and compassionate counsellors.
– Explore Feelings: Make sense of the feelings underlying your depression.
– Express Emotions: Learn to express your feelings in a healthy way.
– Develop Coping Mechanisms: Gain new coping strategies to improve your wellbeing.
– Move towards Healing: Deal with your past hurts and painful memories to move towards healing.
Our team of dedicated professionals offers personalised counselling services designed to help you navigate through your darkest times and emerge stronger and more resilient.
Supporting a loved one who is undergoing depression counselling can involve:
– Encouraging them to attend their therapy sessions
– Listening to them without judgement
– Educating yourself about Depression and its treatment
– Assisting with daily tasks, such as providing practical support
– Understanding their struggles and being patient with them
– Participating in their favorite activities
– Encouraging them to be active
Our therapists at Insightful Counselling will help you by:
– Allowing you to discuss your feelings in a safe and confidential environment
– Developing personalised treatment plans based on your unique needs
– Teaching you practical strategies to manage your symptoms
– Collaborating with you on your healing journey by supporting and guiding you
– Facilitating you to build resilience and coping skills for future challenges
Why Choose Insightful, Singapore?
At Insightful Counselling our therapists based out of Singapore offer depression counselling either face to face or via online platform. Depression affects different individuals differently, so the approach towards every client should be totally innovative and different. We understand this basic fact and work accordingly. Our depression therapists have worked with almost every type of client. Which is why we can differentiate and understand in a better way.
- Target Emotional Problems: Address the root emotional issues of depression.
- Develop Understanding: Help you understand and make sense of these emotional problems.
- Reflect on New Meanings: Explore underlying feelings and reflect on new insights.
Takeaway
Depression counselling can provide numerous benefits, including:
- Improved mood and outlook on life
- Better coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety
- Enhanced self-esteem and self-worth
- Improved relationships and communication skills
- Reduced symptoms of Depression
- Increased ability to function in daily life
Our Counsellors for Depression Counselling
Reena Goenka, MSc (Counseling), SAC Master Clinical Member: Reena has extensive experience in helping individuals who have faced significant life challenges. She specialises in depression counselling, particularly for those who have experienced job loss or suicidal thoughts.
Yap Huay Khem, MSc (Counseling), SAC Registered Clinical Counsellor:
Known for her calm and nonjudgmental demeanour, Yap Huay Khem equipped herself with various modalities, such as EMDR/Flash Technique, Brainspotting, Hypnotherapy, and Transactional Analysis, to help clients to explore, aware and resolve their trapped issues and emotions, thus improve their well-being and handling behaviours.
Lily Ng, MSc (Counseling), SAC Associate Member : With A Master’s In Counseling, Provides Empathetic Support For Individuals and Couples, Specializing In Relationship Issues, Work-Related Stress.
Insightful Counselling Case Studies for Depression
Case Study 1: Overcoming Job Loss and Suicidal Thoughts
John (name changed for confidentiality) was devastated after losing his job and his negative belief ‘Í am a failure’ got triggered. The stress and uncertainty led him to a very dark place, where he even attempted suicide. Through consistent sessions with Reena, John learnt to rebuild his self-esteem and find new purpose. Today, he is employed and continues to use the coping strategies Reena taught him. He is healed and enjoying his life.
Case Study 2: Academic Pressure and Depression
Emily (name changed for confidentiality) was a high-achieving student who struggled with the intense pressure of her studies. Her grades began to slip, and she fell into a deep depression and her negative belief, “I am not good enough” crept up. With the help of Huay Khem, Emily dived deeper to understand her triggers for depression, developed better study habits and learnt to manage her anxiety. She is now thriving academically and personally.
Frequently Asked Questions
– Manage Symptoms: Provides tools and strategies to manage depression symptoms.
– Identify Negative Patterns: Helps identify and change negative thought patterns.
– Develop Healthier Thinking: Promotes healthier ways of thinking and coping.
During your first depression counselling session at Insightful Counselling, you can expect a safe, confidential and non-judgmental environment. Our therapist will collaborate with you to discuss your treatment goal, the history that you may want to talk about, any medical history, etc to understand your unique situation. This initial session is an opportunity to establish rapport and create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs. They will also discuss the different therapies that are available to work with towards your treatment goals of healing and recovery.
The timeline for seeing improvement with depression counselling varies for each individual. Everyone processes their pain and recovers at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way to heal from your deepest wounds. Some clients may notice positive changes within a few sessions, while others might require longer-term therapy. At Insightful Counselling, our therapists are dedicated to providing continuous support and adjusting treatment plans to ensure the best outcomes for each client.
Yes, Insightful Counselling offers online counselling sessions for depression. Our online services provide the same level of care and confidentiality as in-person sessions, making it easier for clients to access the support they need from the comfort of their own homes. They can be accessed internationally.
Yes, anxiety can occur by itself, but depression is often accompanied by anxiety. It’s important to address both conditions together, as effective healing requires tackling both issues. Our therapists at Insightful Counselling understand this and work simultaneously on various concerns such as anxiety, hopelessness, and suicidal ideations. We aim to provide comprehensive and integrated care that addresses all aspects of your mental health and well-being.
- Persistent Sadness or Hopelessness: Ongoing feelings of sadness or a sense of hopelessness.
- Loss of Interest: Lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyable.
- Changes in Appetite or Sleep: Significant shifts in eating habits or sleep patterns.
- Having difficulty concentrating: Having trouble focusing or making decisions.
- Feelings of Worthlessness: Strong feelings of guilt or worthlessness.
If you or a loved one is struggling with the effects of depression, don’t hesitate to reach out. Insightful Counselling is dedicated to helping you heal and move forward. Contact us today to schedule your first appointment and take the first step towards recovery.
