Are you feeling low, emotionally exhausted or struggling to find enjoyment in things that used to matter to you? Perhaps you're finding it difficult to get motivated, feeling disconnected from others or wondering why everyday life seems so much harder than it used to.
I'm Mel, a counsellor based in Tauranga. I offer counselling for people experiencing depression, persistent low mood and feelings of hopelessness.
I understand that depression can affect many aspects of your life, including your relationships, confidence, motivation and sense of wellbeing.
My approach is warm, compassionate and non-judgemental. Together, we can explore what you're going through, understand what may be contributing to how you feel and work towards finding a way forward.
When life starts to feel overwhelming
Depression can affect people in different ways. For some, it involves persistent sadness, while others describe feeling empty, numb or disconnected from the things and people around them.
You may recognise some of the following experiences:
- Feeling sad, low or hopeless much of the time
- Losing interest in activities you previously enjoyed
- Feeling emotionally numb or disconnected
- Struggling with motivation or everyday responsibilities
- Feeling tired or lacking energy
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Changes in appetite or eating habits
- Finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
- Feeling irritable, frustrated or overwhelmed
- Experiencing guilt, self-criticism or low self-worth
- Withdrawing from friends, family or social activities
Sometimes these feelings develop gradually, while at other times they follow a difficult experience, loss or significant change in life.
You don't need to have a formal diagnosis of depression to seek counselling. If you're struggling with how you feel, that's reason enough to reach out for support.
Understanding what may be contributing to depression
There isn't always one clear explanation for feeling depressed.
Low mood can be influenced by many factors, including ongoing stress, relationship difficulties, grief, traumatic experiences or patterns of thinking that have developed over time.
Sometimes people find themselves feeling stuck in negative thoughts about themselves, their circumstances or their future.
For others, depression may be connected to difficult experiences from the past that haven't been fully processed.
In counselling, we can explore these connections and begin to understand how your experiences may be influencing the way you feel today.
I believe that understanding yourself with compassion, rather than criticism, can be an important part of moving forward.
My approach to depression counselling
I tailor my counselling approach to your individual needs, combining practical strategies with opportunities to explore deeper feelings and experiences.
I draw on several therapeutic approaches, including:
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Helping you recognise unhelpful thought patterns and explore how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours influence one another.
- Solution-Focused Therapy: Identifying manageable goals, recognising what's already helping and finding practical steps towards positive change.
- Strengths-Based Therapy: Exploring your personal strengths and resources, particularly when depression has affected your confidence and sense of self.
- EMDR Therapy: Where appropriate, helping you process distressing memories or past experiences that may be contributing to your emotional difficulties.
I don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach.
Some people need practical support to regain structure and motivation, while others benefit from having a safe space to explore experiences or emotions they've been carrying for a long time.
We can work together to find an approach that suits you and your circumstances.
Finding motivation and reconnecting with yourself
When you're experiencing depression, even small tasks can feel overwhelming.
You may know what you'd like to change but struggle to find the energy or motivation to begin.
I understand that being told to simply think positively or try harder isn't helpful when you're already finding things difficult.
Instead, we can focus on manageable steps, recognising small changes and gradually reconnecting with activities, relationships and experiences that matter to you.
We can also explore the expectations you place on yourself and how patterns of self-criticism may be affecting your wellbeing.
My aim is to support you in developing greater self-understanding, rebuilding confidence and finding ways to feel more engaged with life.
Depression, anxiety and difficult past experiences
Depression and anxiety often occur together.
You may find yourself struggling with both persistent worry and low mood, or feeling overwhelmed by emotions while also lacking the energy to manage everyday responsibilities.
For some people, these difficulties are connected to previous experiences of trauma, loss or prolonged stress.
As a trauma-trained counsellor, I recognise that difficult experiences can continue to affect how we feel about ourselves and the world around us.
Where appropriate, we can explore these connections as part of our counselling work, while focusing on what feels most important and manageable for you.
Depression counselling in Tauranga and online
I offer individual depression counselling in Tauranga, as well as online counselling for people who prefer to attend sessions remotely.
Whether you've been feeling low for some time, are struggling after a difficult life experience or simply feel that something isn't right, you're welcome to get in touch.
You don't have to know exactly what you need from counselling before we begin. We can start by talking about how you're feeling and what you'd like to be different.
Would you like to know more or make an appointment? Please feel free to contact me.
Mel
Counsellor
Registered with NZAC
