You may have been referred to therapy by your general practitioner because you have been diagnosed with depression.You would rather try counselling first before taking anti-depressants. You’ve never been to a therapist or counsellor before, and you are wondering just what you can expect during brief counselling sessions and how many sessions you are likely to need to see results. Here’s some information to help you understand.
What is Brief Counselling?
Brief counselling is a time-limited form of therapy that focuses on specific goals and targets. Unlike long-term therapy, which may span several months or years, brief counselling typically consists of around 6 to 12 sessions. The purpose of this approach is to address your immediate concerns, help you develop effective coping strategies, and empower you to manage your depression more effectively.
During your sessions, we work collaboratively to explore your feelings, thoughts, and behaviours that are contributing to your depression. Together, we identify and challenge negative patterns of thinking and develop healthier perspectives. One of the primary therapeutic approaches I use is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
CBT is a highly effective form of therapy for depression and has a strong evidence base supporting its efficacy. It focuses on the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. By examining your negative thought patterns and identifying any cognitive distortions, we can work on replacing them with more realistic and positive thoughts. This process can lead to a significant reduction in depressive symptoms and an improvement in your overall well-being.
Possible interventions
In addition to CBT, we may also explore other interventions tailored to your specific needs. These interventions may include relaxation techniques, problem-solving strategies, and goal setting. The goal is to equip you with a variety of tools and skills that you can use in your daily life to manage your depression effectively.
How Effective is Brief Counselling Therapy?
Research has shown that it can be highly effective, especially for specific concerns like depression. While every individual is unique, studies have demonstrated significant improvements in depressive symptoms within a relatively short time frame.
I hope this information takes the edge of any concerns you may have about making an appointment for brief therapy. Let me assure you that I’m here to support you throughout this process. We’ll work together to help you overcome your depression and improve your overall well-being.
Don’t suffer in silence
Get it touch now through the contact page or email me at info@thewisetherapist.au. We can have a telephone conversation, or a face-to-face chat for 30 minutes to help you decide whether you want to go ahead. If you don’t live on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, we can also make it a Zoom session.
Time is so precious, use it wisely,
