What depression can feel like.
You might seem to be getting on with life. You go to work, answer messages and keep your commitments so the people around you may not realise how much effort it takes. Inside everything can feel heavier, more grey, and further away than it used to.
Depression often shows up as:
- Feeling flat, numb or disconnected from yourself
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Sleeping too much or not enough
- Finding decisions hard to make, even small ones
- A heaviness that’s hard to explain to others
Sometimes depression follows a loss or a big change. Sometimes it arrives without an obvious reason and that can be confusing too.
How can therapy help with depression?
The goal isn’t to force yourself to be positive or to become the person you were before. A more compassionate approach is to understand what you’re experiencing and make space for something different to emerge.
In Process Oriented Psychology we pay attention to how depression lives in you. The heaviness in your body, the tiredness, and the withdrawal. Rather than fighting these experiences we explore them with curiosity. What is the heaviness asking of you? What would it need in order to shift?
As you reconnect with your feelings, needs and sense of self, you may begin to find a way forward that feels more authentic and connected.
What your first session looks like.
- Length: 50 minutes
- Fee: $165 (incl. GST)
- Where: Nerang, Gold Coast, or online
- Referral: Not needed
You don’t have to explain everything or know where to begin. We’ll go at your pace, talk about what’s been happening and you’ll get a feel for whether this way of working suits you.
Common questions about depression therapy.
I’m still functioning. Is therapy for me?
Yes, many people who come to see me are still working and coping on the outside. Therapy can help before things reach a crisis point.
Do I need a mental health care plan?
No, I don’t work under Medicare mental health care plans and you don’t need a referral to book.
Can therapy work alongside my GP or medication?
Yes, therapy can sit alongside support from your GP, psychiatrist or other health professionals. I don’t prescribe medication so if you have questions about medication, your GP is the best person to speak with.
What if I’m not sure it’s depression?
That’s okay. You don’t need a label to start. We can explore what you’re experiencing together.
If you are feeling unsafe or thinking about ending your life, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or call 000 in an emergency.
About your therapist.
Jeanette is the founder of Gold Coast Psychotherapy in Nerang and a Certified Practising Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). She completed the Two-Year Process Work Study Program with Australia New Zealand Process Oriented Psychology (ANZPOP) and has practised psychotherapy for over 10 years. Before becoming a therapist, she worked as a paramedic and as a health and safety officer.
Related support.
Ready when you are.
You’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure this out on your own. Take your first step to becoming a more confident and connected you today.