Depression is more common than many people realise, yet it often goes unspoken. It can creep in slowly or arrive after a difficult life event, and it affects far more than mood. If you have been feeling low, flat or exhausted for weeks and it is starting to interfere with your life, this guide will help you understand what depression is and how depression counselling in Guildford can support your recovery.
What Depression Really Feels Like
Depression is not simply sadness. It is a persistent low mood that lasts for at least two weeks and affects the way you think, feel and function. Some people describe it as a heavy fog, others as feeling numb or disconnected. Common signs include:
– Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
– Constant tiredness and low energy
– Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
– Changes in sleep or appetite
– Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or worthlessness
– Withdrawing from friends and family
Depression exists on a spectrum. For some it is a single episode, for others it returns over time. Either way, effective treatment is available.
Why Depression Happens
There is rarely one single cause. Depression often results from a combination of factors: genetics, brain chemistry, life stress, loss, and long-standing patterns of thinking about ourselves and the world. Sometimes those patterns take root early in life through difficult experiences, which is why treatment that only addresses surface symptoms may not be enough.
Evidence-Based Approaches to Depression
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
CBT is one of the most researched and effective treatments for depression. It helps you identify the negative thought patterns that keep low mood going, and it teaches practical skills to break the downward spiral. These skills stay with you long after therapy ends, reducing the risk of relapse.
Schema-Focused and Cognitive Analytic Therapy
Where depression is chronic or keeps returning, deeper work can help. Schema-focused therapy targets the ingrained beliefs that fuel persistent low mood, while Cognitive Analytic Therapy looks at the self-sabotaging patterns we repeat without realising. You can read more about these approaches on our page describing the [evidence-based therapy models offered in Surrey](https://surreypsychologist.com/therapy).
Motivational Interviewing
When depression makes it hard to feel motivated to change, Motivational Interviewing gently helps you reconnect with what matters to you. It is compassionate and practical, and it often works well alongside CBT.
What to Expect from Depression Counselling
Therapy begins with understanding your story: how you have been feeling, what has been happening in your life, and what you would like to be different. From there, your psychologist tailors an approach to suit you rather than applying a one-size-fits-all method. Sessions give you space to be heard as well as practical tools to move forward.
Depression counselling in Guildford with Dr Siobhan Blackwell follows NICE guidelines and draws on more than 20 years of experience across the NHS and private practice. As an insurance approved psychologist recognised by Bupa, AXA, Aviva and Vitality, she also welcomes self-funding clients.
You Do Not Have to Wait Until It Gets Worse
Many people put off seeking help, hoping their mood will lift on its own. Sometimes it does, but when depression lingers, professional support can make a real difference and help you recover more quickly. If any of this sounds familiar, take the first step today by visiting the [contact page](https://surreypsychologist.com/contact) to arrange a consultation at the Guildford clinic. Feeling better is possible, and help is closer than you think.