What we treat
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities.
Depression affects thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and physical well-being. Common signs and symptoms include:
Persistent low mood - feeling sad, empty, or hopeless for most of the day, nearly every day.
Loss of interest - diminished interest or pleasure in activities you once enjoyed.
Changes in behaviour - withdrawing from social interactions, lacking motivation, and losing interest in activities that you may have once sought out.
Emotional changes - feeling overwhelmed, guilty, insecure, angry, irritable, or tearful.
Physical impacts - constant fatigue, changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, and feeling run down. Also unexplained aches and pains, headaches or indigestion.
Cognitive impacts - poor concentration, memory issues, and difficulty making decisions.
Negative thoughts - experiencing repetitive, self-critical thoughts. Also feeling worthless or excessively guilty.
Changes in libido, usually a decreased sex drive.
Depression is considered a serious illness when the depressive mood state is severe, lasts for two weeks or more, and significantly interferes with one's ability to function at home or work.
Living with depression and looking for the right treatment for you can be quite overwhelming. Depression is a complex mental health condition which is well researched and as a result, there are many options for treatment. The psychologists at Someone.health offer evidence-based treatment options for depression and are ready to chat with you about them today.
Along with stress, depression is one of the most common mental health problems, affecting one in five people in Australia at some point in their lives. Whilst everybody has ups and downs across life’s journey, depression causes intense feelings of sadness that can last for weeks and months, making everyday life more difficult than usual. Depression can emerge without an apparent cause, be linked to identifiable triggers, or result from a combination of life events and ongoing challenges. Unlike temporary sadness, depression is unlikely to improve or disappear on its own without professional intervention. The good news is that depression is highly treatable. It is highly researched and options for treatment that are evidence-based are available for you. These include various talk therapies offered by experienced psychologists, as well as pharmaceutical interventions that can be prescribed by psychiatrists, like Call to Mind. Depression is considered to be a more serious illness when it lasts for over two weeks, your mood is severe and it interferes with study, home, work or community. If you are experiencing this, professional help is highly recommended.
Depression can be triggered by various factors, and often it's a combination of elements rather than a single cause. Some common triggers and causes include:
1. Stressful life events, including losing your job, relationship breakups, or loss of a loved one (grief and bereavement).
2. Health issues causing chronic pain or illness.
3. Childhood trauma or sexual abuse.
4. Family history or genetics can increase risk.
5. Your brain chemistry, especially imbalances in neurotransmitters.
6. Pregnancy, postpartum period, or life transitions, like menopause, can trigger depression.
7. Alcohol or drug misuse can exacerbate depression.
8. Social isolation or a lack of social support.
9. Seasonal changes - some people experience depression related to seasonal variations (Seasonal Affective Disorder).
10. Certain medications can have depression as a side effect.
Seeking help from a psychologist for depression counselling is a crucial step in managing and overcoming depression. Psychologists can provide various therapeutic interventions, including:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) - this helps you identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviours.
Interpersonal therapy which focuses on improving your relationships and communication skills.
Mindfulness-based therapies which teaches present-moment awareness and acceptance.
Psychoeducation - educate you about depression and its management.
Behavioural activation encourages you to engage in positive activities to improve your mood.
Problem solving therapy, which develops skills to address life challenges effectively.
Emotional processing helps work through difficult emotions related to depression.
Offering knowledge about depression and guiding you towards the most suitable treatment options.
Exploring negative thought patterns and offering you tools to challenge them.
Identifying contributing factors to depression and developing management strategies.
Enhancing coping skills to navigate your stressors and setbacks.
Providing empathetic emotional support and understanding.
Improving your ability to cope with stressors and setbacks.
Teaching effective communication strategies.
Remember, seeking professional help is a proactive step towards overcoming depression and restoring wellbeing. If you've been experiencing extremely low mood more often than not for at least two weeks, it's important to seek advice from a psychologist. Early intervention is key to maximising your ability to cope with life's daily challenges and thrive in all aspects of your life, including relationships, work, or study. Deciding on the right treatment for depression can feel overwhelming, but you don't have to make this decision alone. A Someone.health psychologist can work with you to understand your unique situation and preferences, ensuring you receive consistent and high-quality treatment that suits your needs.
Psychologists available online
Tell us what matters to you, compare suitable appointments and keep your care details in your patient profile.
Find an appointmentIt will not always be obvious and it could be gradual. But when you start feeling better, then that means that the therapy is working.
You'll also be able to see things more clearly as you progress with your talk therapy. Healing, however, is not always so clear-cut. There will always be ups and downs. If that happens, you can talk to your psychologist about your progress and be open with what you're feeling.
Australia has regulatory bodies to ensure we maintain consistent and high standards across the psychology profession.
Yes. They are registered with the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA), listed with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), and individually selected and monitored by Someone.health's expert clinical team.
Appointments are available immediately
Once you have signed up and we have verified your details, you can choose a psychologist who is available immediately. Our website displays in order of the first available appointment.
Only your GP or a psychiatrist can prescribe medication.
Medication can only be prescribed by medical doctors, which includes general practitioners (GPs) and psychiatrists.
If you need the services of a psychiatrist, please visit Call To Mind, a telehealth service specialising in psychiatry.
