Understanding the origins of depression is often a necessary starting point in treatment, because once we know what they are or have been missing in their life, we can help them fill the gap of that missing need. So what might we do well to discover about the origins of our clients’ depression?
Articles on: Depression
Dealing with depressed clients can feel daunting. But there are few brighter experiences than to watch your depressed client emerge into the shining light of good mental health. Within these articles I offer ways to understand your client’s depression and, most importantly, help them come out of it and – as far as we can ensure – stay out of it.
7 Steps to Lead Your Client Out of Despair
Despairing clients often despair of everything, even of what they love. But with time, patience, and support, clients can overcome even the most difficult challenges and live fulfilling, meaningful lives. Here are some strategies I have used to help clients find the light again. I hope they prove useful to you when faced with a […]
A Quick Guide to Psychiatric Drugs for Therapists
Unless you’re medically trained in drug usage, you won’t be expected to be an authority on psychotropic drugs, their potential benefits and side effects, or even withdrawal protocols. But here I want to give you just a rough and ready guide so that you don’t draw a complete blank when your client discusses medication.
How to Handle Hindsight Bias
Many of our decisions are based on past experiences. So how we view the past, what we amplify and what we minimize, will impact at least some of our decisions and perceptions. And depressed people have been found to view the past in particular ways. Ways that hurt them in the present.
How to Help Your Client Deal with an Existential Crisis
Is your client living as a square peg in a round hole? Are they surrounded by people who hold vacuous and narrow aspirations? Are they too self-absorbed? Meaning comes from connection and a sense of us rather than simply me. Here are a few strategies you may find useful with the so-called ‘worried well’: those […]
4 Ways to Use Behavioural Activation to Help Your Depressed Clients
Inspiring action in depressed clients as part of forming a road map out of depression is a vital part of treatment. And it can be useful for all sorts of other conditions as well.
5 Proven Behavioural Interventions for Depression
As terrible as depression is, some simple interventions can be surprisingly effective in relieving symptoms. Use these techniques to help clients rediscover their enjoyment of life.
Treating the Grief of Dashed Life Expectations
We can and do grieve for the life we’d imagined when it doesn’t transpire. Listen to my answer to a Q&A question concerning the grief of dashed expectations.
Treating Depression: 3 Vital Steps
Many therapists and counsellors don’t feel confident treating depression. But we can make all the difference in the world and here are three ways to start.
Socratic Questioning in Depression Therapy
Here are three ways to cut through a client’s negative rumination and ask healing antidepressant questions.
