Studies show that an average of three million Australians battle depression every year. That said, clinical depression has affected many individuals, interfering with how they function in their everyday lives.
Depression counselling, or talk therapy, is one of the many ways affected individuals cope up with this medical condition. For those interested in getting help with depression through counselling, here are some ways it can be beneficial.
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1. It can help in reducing stress.
One of the effects of depression is stress and anxiety, and counselling can significantly reduce one’s stress levels during depression. Sometimes, all you need is someone who will listen as you take it all off your chest. Such interactions give you a feeling of relief and remission despite your depression. In the past, many individuals dealing with depression talk to friends and families which often times give advice and offer consolation. Professionals trained to listen, provide necessary feedback, and develop strategies to cope do the same thing with your best interest in mind.
Having someone you can talk to when you’re going through tough times can make you feel that you’re not alone – adding to your emotional strength and resolve.
2. It can give you a new perspective about depression.
For patients wanting to know how to get counselling for depression, reaching out to a trained therapist is a start. A therapist providing depression counselling can help identify options for the future and help set realistic goals in moving forward. Dwelling in what triggers the depression does not help and can make you feel trapped in a loop of emotions that do nothing but bring you down. Setting a new perspective is not just painting a new picture, but setting new goals that enable you to enhance your mental and emotional well-being.
If you have been depressed in the past, your therapist can also help identify how you successfully dealt with your previous depression so you can use that towards your current situation.
3. It can help identify patterns that contribute to depression.
Depression can be triggered by different stimulants and counselling can be used to help identify these triggers so you can keep away from them. A therapist will understand and identify these patterns as your sessions progress. Some patients tend to overthink situations and overgeneralize circumstances. Once identified, your therapist can help you avoid these patterns which can help with your emotional and mental condition.
Getting help with depression doesn’t always mean changing how you perceive things, sometimes it can be dealt with by avoiding certain things that stimulate the feeling of loneliness, anxiety, and stress. Developing a plan of action based on the identified patterns is often the first step in how to treat depression.
4. It can help in severity evaluation.
Counselling can help therapists evaluate the severity of your depression which allows them to formulate the necessary actions and provide you with the right tools whether it’s by using a different approach or by using medication.
Here are few counselling approaches known to help depressed patients.
- Interpersonal therapy – This kind of counselling focuses on your relationship with others. Your therapist will look at how this affects your depression whether your relationships bring negativity or positivity.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) – Counselling centered on cognitive behavior deals with how you think and behave allowing you to control and manage your depression around these stimuli.
- Person-centered and dynamic therapy – These therapies can help you discover and explore the root causes of your depression and regain self confidence when moving forward.
Which therapy works best?
It’s best to contact your trusted local psychologist who is an expert about how to treat depression when you want to know what type of counselling suits you best. Oftentimes, they use these kinds of approaches depending on what best helps your situation. You can talk to your therapist to find out more about how each approach works.
Therapies can range from short sessions to long ones. Short-term therapy typically works well for those with early signs of depression while those who have long standing bouts with depressors may require long-term therapies. According to studies, long-term therapies work best and lead to sustained improved conditions among patients. Those who undergo long-term treatment experience better life satisfaction and improved social functioning.
Conclusion
Many individuals experiencing this medical condition may just be too embarrassed or introverted to ask how to get counselling for depression. You can help your loved ones, and even yourself, if you’re battling anxiety and depression by reaching out to a trusted psychology instituion that offers professional counselling.