Depression

Providing Applecross with Depression Counselling You Can Rely On

Depression is a serious condition that affects your physical and mental health. That’s why our depression counselling in Applecross and South Perth areas are here to help you navigate this difficult time. While feeling sad and moody can be normal human emotions the lows we experience from time to time, feeling depressed for long periods and for no apparent reason (weeks, months or even years) is a cause for concern.

Depression is not something you need to experience on your own. There is plenty of support available to you to help you through this difficult time. Whether you feel a sense of hopelessness, loss of pleasure in activities, anxious or intense anger and irritability. All these can be symptoms of depression.

What causes depression?

Life can come with many struggles and challenges. Difficulties including long-term unemployment, loneliness, prolonged work stress and abuse, can all be factors in you developing depression.

While life circumstances can influence depression. A family history can also place you at an increased genetic risk. If you have a personality that tends to worry or you have low self-esteem then this can play a role. Serious medical illness and the persistent stress of coping with this illness can also bring on the onset of depression. As you can see there are many factors but the key is to seek help to see you through this difficult time.

What is depression?

We don’t know what exactly causes depression but we know that a combination of life events and personal factors can be the catalyst for developing depression.

Here are some symptoms to watch for:

  • Low mood and a loss of interest and pleasure in normal activities.
  • Irritable most of the day.
  • A feeling of sadness and emptiness.
  • Decreased interest or pleasure in most activities, most of each day
  • Significant weight change (5%) or change in appetite
  • Change in sleep: Insomnia or hypersomnia
  • Can’t keep still or not motivated to do anything
  • Fatigue or loss of energy
  • Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
  • Decreased ability to think or concentrate or make decision
  • Thoughts of death or suicide (if you experience this you should talk to someone straight away)

If you are experiencing two or more of the above symptoms nearly every day then we recommend speaking to someone. Our psychologists offer depression counselling and are conveniently located for clients in Applecross, South Perth and surrounding areas.

How can counselling help you with depression?

One in four Australians will experience depression in their life time.

In Australia you have access to excellent mental health plans and programs to help you treat your depression. Counselling is one of the most effective treatments of depression and in our experience people suffering from depression will require between 6 and 14 sessions across the year.

Counselling will provide you with the support, skills and strategy to manage your depression.

Sometimes you may require the assistance of medication as prescribed by your GP and psychologist. Both your doctor and psychologist can work together to guide you through the process. If you have thoughts of suicide or death or there are changes to your physical and functional behaviours, then you may be prescribed medication. Your GP should also look for any underlying health causes they can also affect your mood and contribute to the way you are feeling.

Together, therapy and medication become the best treatments for recovery if you are diagnosed with depression.

Why choose A resolution for depression counselling?

At A resolution we are here to support and offer you a caring environment. Our job is to help you to become mentally stronger and give you the tools to improve your health, life, and relationships. We use Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, mindfulness, interpersonal therapy, narrative therapy or psychotherapy to treat you for depression. Together, we will work with you to find the best therapy that works for you.

A resolution provides depression counselling by trained professionals who understand and listen to your concerns to help you improve your daily life. Contact us today for a chat – we are conveniently located for clients in Applecross, South Perth and surrounding areas.

Topics we can help with

Our experienced Depression Counselling Team

Namrata Makhijani
Psychologist

Experienced in providing assessment and treatment of depression from mild to severe. Namrata uses a primarily cognitive behavioural therapy approach but also integrates acceptance and committment therapy (ACT) to build insight into the personal journey with depression and mood disorders.  Namrata leads clients through psychoeducation, thought and mood diaries, behavioural activation, and challenging
unhelpful thinking styles.

Find out more about Namrata Makhijani

Megan Moousa
Senior Psychologist

Megan is a Senior Registered Psychologist who is passionate about working with couples, families, children, teens and adults with a wide range of concerns. Megan has well developed skills in helping clients with anxiety, depression, anger, sexual abuse, grief and loss and
communications problems.

Find out more about Megan Moosa 

Katherine Shanhun
Senior Psychologist

Katherine loves to help clients with depression. She helps assess its strength and how long it has been around. Katherine helps you identify your schemas – self-defeating, core themes or patterns that we keep repeating throughout our lives. Our maladaptive schema modes are triggered by life situations that we are oversensitive to (our “emotional buttons”). Many schema modes lead us to over or under-react to situations and, thus, to act in ways that end up hurting us or others.

Find out more about Katherine Shanhun

FAQ

Our appointments are either 50 mins or 80 minutes of face-to-face time (i.e., time you meet with your psychologist). The remainder of the session is to make notes and prepare for your next session, this ensures that our sessions start on the hour or half hour. Initial individual appointments are 50 mins and couple or family appointments are generally 80 minutes.

Everyone’s journey is different however, it generally takes about 3 sessions to establish your concerns, discuss a bit of the history of the problem and agree on how you and your therapist will work together and what you will work on. From here there are Australian Guidelines for Evidence Based Treatment for Mental Health conditions. For depression/anxiety a minimum of 6 – 14 sessions may be required, for PTSD this may be up to 24 sessions (for complex PTSD) for couple’s experiencing a lot of conflict this can be around 16-24 sessions.

In the beginning you will need see your therapist weekly to establish your therapy and build some traction. This takes a minimum of 3 sessions we recommend you book these in on your first appointment. After this, therapy needs to be paced according to your issues, the therapy style your therapist is using and even your financial considerations. Some people come fortnightly, others monthly.

Once you book an appointment its yours. We encourage you to keep your appointments to avoid delays in booking new ones and to speak with our team members about discontinuing therapy. If there is no way you can make it please call reception to reschedule.

If there is no way you can make a skype session and you need to change or cancel an appointment, please provide at least 48 hours notice otherwise there are cancellation fees.

All of our team members are registered psychologists so you are able to claim Medicare or Private Health Fund rebates (you can only claim one or the other per session). Medicare provides a rebate of either $84.80 or $124.50 back per session for up to 10 sessions per calendar year provided you have a Mental Health Plan drafted by your GP and a referral letter to any psychologist. After the initial 6 sessions you need to return to your GP for a review to access the final 4 for the calendar year. Private health rebates are available provided you have cover for psychology.

We offer appointments between the hours of 9 am and 7pm Monday to Friday and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday. Individual psychologist availability varies, please contact reception for more information.

Our couch, Your private space

Our private and warmly appointed rooms in Applecross provide the perfect space for you to begin your journey of self-development and start taking control of leading a more fulfilling life. We are located near Applecross Village with a private rear entry, upstairs at the back of the building.

Get In Touch

We will get back to via phone or email the same day during business hours!

    To Make an Appointment Phone Today 08 6555 7786