Depression Counselling
What Is Depression?
Everyone feels sad or low occasionally, but these feelings usually pass within a few days. Depression, on the other hand, is a more intense and long-lasting sense of desolation, low mood, emptiness and lack of energy. You may feel unmotivated to do simple tasks, be indifferent towards your life, or have difficulty lifting your spirits. According to an Institute of Mental Health (IMH) survey, it is estimated that 15 per cent of Singaporean youths have symptoms of depression. Because it can leave you feeling down most of the time, it can feel hard to cope with everyday life under the grey fog of a mind plagued with depressive thoughts. If you’re lacking motivation to do simple tasks, feel a sense of numbness and ambivalence about your life, or simply can’t find ways to lift your mood, you might be struggling with depression.
If you feel persistently low and empty, and find it affects your relationships, career, and personal life, you are not alone: depression affects about one in 10 people. It can be caused by factors including genetics, hormonal changes, or chemical imbalances in the body. Major life events, such as work or financial stress, exams, relationship changes, family conflicts, or concerns about identity and sexual orientation can also trigger it.
With the right care and support, most people with depression recover well, manage their symptoms, and lead fulfilling lives despite its challenges.
What Causes Depression?
The exact causes of depression are not well known, but some studies believe it is linked to changes in the body related to your mood and thought processes. In many cases, a significant event in your life, such as a family member or close friend’s death or losing your job, can lead to a depressive episode. If these feelings persist for two weeks or longer or get in the way of daily activities, professional help is needed to help you recover.
Depression Counselling
Depression counselling helps you manage and overcome the symptoms of depression. Our trained mental health professionals provide support, guidance, and strategies tailored to your unique situation to help you alleviate depressive feelings, address underlying root causes that may be contributing to your depression, and live with more ease and acceptance.
While depression is common in Singapore, it doesn’t have to take over your life. New Leaf’s qualified professionals are highly experienced in helping individuals cope with depression, whether they experience situational depression triggered by specific life events, or severe, chronic depression that persists no matter their circumstances.
Through evidence-based techniques such as cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), interpersonal therapy (IPT), Brainspotting and mindfulness-based approaches, our counsellors work with clients in Singapore to manage their depression, challenge negative thought patterns, help them feel supported and validated, and develop healthier coping mechanisms to set them up for success in their everyday lives.
Common Symptoms Of Depression Include
- Feel persistently sad, empty, or hopeless.
- Experience significant changes in appetite or weight.
- Sleeping difficulties or sleeping excessively.
- Experience fatigue or lack of energy.
- Struggle with feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt.
- Difficulties concentrating, making decisions, or remembering things.
- Loss of any interest or pleasure in activities they once enjoyed.
- Irregular or frequent thoughts of death or suicide.
The Different Types Of Depression
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)
MDD is the most common and severe type of depression, typically diagnosed if your depression symptoms persist for two weeks or more.
- Persistent Depressive Disorder (PDD)
If you have been experiencing depression symptoms for at least two years, you may have PDD. Though symptoms may not be as severe as MDD, they are long-lasting and pervasive.
- Bipolar Disorder
Sometimes known as manic depression, it is characterised by alternating moods of mild depressive episodes and bursts of unusually high energy or activity. In severe cases, manic episodes can be so extreme they impair your daily life and can even alter your perception of reality.
- Prenatal/Postpartum Depression
This type of depression occurs during (prenatal) or after (postpartum) pregnancy due to substantial hormone level changes during this period. Symptoms typically include sudden mood swings, lethargy, anxiety, and irritability.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD occurs when the seasons change, primarily in countries with multiple seasons, typically between fall and winter. It is believed to be caused by changes to the function of the hormones serotonin and melatonin, which regulate your body’s daily sleep-wake rhythm.
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
A severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), PMDD causes similar symptoms of PMS but with a pronounced difference in how it affects your mood, including extreme fatigue, severe anxiety, and mood swings.
What Can You Expect From Depression Counselling?
Seeking professional counselling for depression is a source of great comfort, solace, and support for those on a journey to improve their mental health. Counselling can help you better understand and manage your depression, leading to an overall improvement in mood and a sense of well-being. Your counsellor will also work with you to identify and practice actionable strategies to handle triggers for depression such as stress and anxiety, so you know how to manage them when they next surface.
The act of confiding in your counsellor and giving voice to your inner thoughts can benefit your relationships, enabling you to speak more honestly and freely about what you are going through with those who care about you. Finally, counselling provides a safe space for self-exploration, helping you learn more about your behaviour, motivations, and personal challenges and give you the tools you need to prevent future episodes of depression.
Individuals who have been diagnosed with clinical depression, as well as those who may not have a formal diagnosis but experience depressive symptoms, can greatly improve the quality of their lives with the support of counselling. Additionally, if you have undergone significant life changes, traumatic events, or chronic stress, you may find therapy helpful in managing your mental health.
Types Of Treatments For Depression
Seeking professional care for depression is a source of great comfort, solace, and support for those on a journey to improve their mental health.
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you correct unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns interrupting your daily activities and feelings about yourself. It allows you to return to healthier behaviours and overcome negative thinking patterns that leave you depressed.
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
IPT aims to improve your relationships with others by equipping you with communication strategies to convey your emotions and needs and overcome feelings of worthlessness and even grief.
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
MBCT helps you to recognise intrusive or unhelpful thoughts that leave you feeling depressed and how to alter negative perceptions and focus on the present.
-
Eye Movement Desensitisation
and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy
EMDR helps reduce depressive symptoms by addressing unprocessed trauma and negative experiences, reframing negative beliefs, and improving your energy, mood, and self-perception. EMDR therapy fosters a more positive understanding of oneself and others and can be used independently or to support other methods and allow clients to work toward their goals.
- Brainspotting
Brainspotting helps to identify, process and release feelings of trauma, dissociation, or emotional pain “stuck” in the brain. It aims to identify a “brain spot,” a spot that your eyes naturally focus on when you feel distressed and help you overcome getting “stuck” when trauma happens.
New Leaf’s Integrative Approach
Depression affects many people, and while some rely on medication, a holistic approach that combines counselling, nutritional support, and lifestyle changes can enhance your recovery and help you manage your symptoms independently over the long-term.
At New Leaf Counselling, we create personalised treatment plans tailored to your unique experience of depression. By integrating counselling, nutritional guidance, and lifestyle adjustments that collectively influence how your depression manifests, we aim to take a 360 approach that combines the best of different modalities to help you thrive.
Nutrition is vital for brain function and mental health, and can play a role in mitigating the symptoms of depression. Our nutritionists will guide you to adopt a diet rich in omega-3s, B vitamins, and antioxidants to improve their mood stability, increase energy levels, and strengthen sleep quality, all of which support your emotional regulation.
If you are interested in a holistic approach to depression management, our team can work with you on an individualised path to recovery and balance. At New Leaf, we’re committed to supporting clients’ mental wellness journey through comprehensive, integrative treatments. Hear from our satisfied clients who have experienced significant improvements with our holistic approach.
If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, counselling can be a crucial —often pivotal— step towards recovery and a healthier, more fulfilling life. Our experienced counsellors are here to support you every step of the way.
Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment. Our expert staff will coordinate an appointment with a qualified counsellor.
How Much Does Depression Counselling Cost?
At New Leaf, we offer 60-minute and 90-minute counselling sessions at fixed rates based on your choice of counsellor or psychologist. We understand that finding the right therapist is crucial, and we have a thorough process to match you with the most suitable professional. Rates are based on whether you book an appointment during or after office hours, so we advise planning for your convenience. We also provide several assessments to help you understand your mental health needs, allowing you to make better decisions to enhance your well-being. Visit our fees and terms page for more information.
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FAQs About Depression Therapy
Q: Is Depression Treatable?
A: It is, especially with a qualified counsellor at your side. With adequate support, we can help you alleviate depressive feelings, address underlying root causes contributing to your depression, and live a more fruitful life.
Q: Can Depression Cause Physical Illness?
A: Our physical and mental well-being are interrelated, and some studies have found that persons with depression are at higher risk of various illnesses requiring hospitalisation. You should seek professional help to address your depression and take control of your overall health.
Q: Does New Leaf Provide Medication For Depression?
A: We collaborate with highly recommended psychiatrists to whom we can refer our clients for further assistance if needed. We do not provide clients with any form of medication.
APA Dictionary of Psychology (no date) American Psychological Association. Available at: https://dictionary.apa.org/ (Accessed: Summer 2024).
Depression | How counselling can help (2022) BACP. Available at: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/what-therapy-can-help-with/depression/ (Accessed: Summer 2024).
American Psychological Association. (n.d.). APA Dictionary of Psychology. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://dictionary.apa.org/depression
American Psychological Association. (2024). Depression and How Psychotherapy and Other Treatments Can Help People Recover. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://www.apa.org/topics/depression/recover
American Psychological Association. (2019). Depression Treatments for Adults. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://www.apa.org/depression-guideline/adults
American Psychological Association. (2023). Overcoming depression: How psychologists help with depressive disorders. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://www.apa.org/topics/depression/overcoming
Brainspotting. (n.d.). What is Brainspotting? Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://brainspotting.com/about-brainspotting/what-is-brainspotting/
Bruce, D. F. & McPhillips, A. (2024). Types of Depression and How to Recognize Them. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://www.webmd.com/depression/depression-types
Schimelpfening, N. (2023). 7 Common Types of Depression. Retrieved 27th November 2024 from https://www.verywellmind.com/common-types-of-depression-1067313
Meet Our Practitioners Specialising In Depression Counselling
Joshua Koh
Counsellor
Soolin Choi
Counsellor
Diandra Andersen
Counsellor
Shrutika Kapoor
Counsellor
Fiona Maher O'Sullivan
Counsellor, Speakers
Vivien Tay
Counsellor
