Depression

You do not have to face this alone

Understanding Depression

Depression is more than just feeling sad or going through a difficult patch. It is a deeply personal experience that can affect every part of your life — your energy, your sleep, your ability to concentrate, your relationships, and your sense of who you are. You may feel as though a heavy weight has settled over everything, making even the smallest daily tasks feel overwhelming. Perhaps the things that once brought you joy no longer hold any meaning, or you find yourself withdrawing from the people you care about most.

It is important to know that depression is not a sign of weakness, and it is not something you should simply push through on your own. It is a real and significant condition that affects millions of people, and it often has deep roots in our life experiences, our relationships, and the ways we have learned to cope with emotional pain. Sometimes depression emerges after a loss, a major life change, or a period of prolonged stress. Other times, it builds gradually, and you may not even recognise how much it has taken from you until you feel truly stuck.

Whatever your experience, your feelings are valid. Reaching out for help is not a sign of failure — it is an act of courage and an important step toward reclaiming your life.

How Psychotherapy Can Help

Psychotherapy offers a safe, confidential space where you can begin to explore the feelings, thoughts, and patterns that may be contributing to your depression. In my practice, I work from a psychodynamic approach, which means we look beyond the surface symptoms to understand the deeper emotional experiences that shape how you feel about yourself and the world around you. Together, we explore how past experiences, unresolved losses, and unconscious patterns may be influencing your present-day struggles.

What makes therapy truly effective is the quality of the relationship between therapist and client. I believe that healing happens within a genuine, trusting connection — one where you feel heard, respected, and understood without judgement. This is not a process where you are told what to do. Instead, we work together as collaborators, building a relationship that itself becomes a powerful vehicle for change.

“The relationship is the therapy.”

Over time, therapy can help you develop a deeper understanding of yourself, process painful emotions that may have been buried for years, and gradually rebuild a sense of meaning, connection, and hope. Many people find that as they begin to understand the roots of their depression, they also discover new strengths and possibilities they had not recognised before.

You Might Benefit from Therapy If…

  • You feel persistently sad, empty, or hopeless, and these feelings will not lift on their own
  • You have lost interest or pleasure in activities that once mattered to you
  • You are withdrawing from friends, family, or social situations
  • You experience constant fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or changes in appetite that affect your daily life
  • You struggle with feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or harsh self-criticism
  • You find it difficult to concentrate, make decisions, or stay motivated at work or at home
  • You feel stuck in a cycle of negative thinking and cannot see a way forward

Taking the First Step

Asking for help can feel daunting, but you do not have to have everything figured out before you reach out. The first session is simply a conversation — a chance for us to meet, for you to share what you are going through, and for us to begin understanding what support would be most helpful for you. There is no pressure and no judgement. You have already shown strength by considering this step, and I am here to walk alongside you at whatever pace feels right.