Depression Therapist in Bournemouth, Dorset

If you are suffering from depression in the Bournemouth, Poole or Dorset area, we can help by providing successful treatment face to face at our local clinics. We can also assist patients further afield via webcam consultations.

Feeling depressed and suffering from clinical depression are not the same. While sadness, loneliness, or occasional feelings of depression are natural reactions to life’s challenges—such as loss, frustration, or rejection—they usually pass with time. However, when these emotions become overwhelming, persist long-term, or start causing physical symptoms, they can significantly impact daily life. A qualified depression therapist can help address these challenges, offering support and strategies to regain emotional well-being and lead an active, fulfilling life.

Symptoms of Depression

The symptoms of depression may include:

continuous sadness or low mood
feeling hopeless and helpless
having constant low self-esteem
frequently feeling tearful, sometimes for no apparent reason
perpetual feelings of guilt or shame
feeling irritable and intolerant of others
having no motivation or interest in things including things which were previously enjoyable
continually finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
constantly feeling fearful, anxious or worried
having suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm

Depression can be debilitating and it is important to seek help.

Types of Depression

There are two distinct types of depression – reactive and clinical.

Reactive depression occurs as a result of trauma. For example, following the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a relationship breakdown or a serious injury. In such situations, we may expect someone to experience a period of depression afterwards.

Clinical depression is distinct from temporary feelings of sadness or low mood. It often involves recurrent episodes and may arise without any clear or direct cause. This lack of an apparent reason can lead to secondary challenges, such as feelings of guilt about being depressed. Many individuals struggle with the frustration of feeling upset without understanding why, creating a cycle of emotional distress. A depression therapist can help break this cycle by providing the tools and support needed to understand and manage these emotions effectively, fostering a path toward recovery and emotional balance.

Reactive depression often responds well to a combination of suggestion hypnosis and counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Clinical Depression responds well in many cases to analytical hypnotherapy. This is because no one is born depressed, and if you were not born with this, something has caused it, the analysis seeks to find that cause and remove it.

In some cases, cognitive behavioural therapy will be most appropriate. Our senior consultant Mr Roberts will discuss the options with you at your assessment consultation.

In any case of depression, whilst we are happy to help and frequently do so with great success, (you can book an initial consultation here - just enter coupon code INITIALAC for a 50% discount), it is also advisable to discuss your symptoms with your GP.

How to people develop Clinical Depression?

In my experience, it is usually a result of cumulative traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood which the patient may or not recall. Significant cumulative losses of family members, friends or freedom (for example mobility) can also result in persistent or recurrent bouts. There can of course however be a multitude of causes for clinical depression, some of which are not easily identifiable or explainable.

What we know from scientific research, is that when someone becomes depressed, there is an electro-chemical imbalance with the neurotransmitters (serotonin and/or norepinephrine) in the brain. What is not certain is whether it is the electro-chemical imbalance which causes the depression or the depression which causes the electro-chemical imbalance. It is something of a chicken and egg situation. What we do know is that the two always go together and therefore by treating one aspect, it will almost certainly affect the other. That is why pharmacological intervention can play such an important part in the treatment of depression and why our patients suffering from it are always advised to talk to their GP as well as to us.

Some people are reluctant to consider medication as part of their treatment and whilst this is a matter for them and their GP my advice is always not to dismiss the option out of hand. Many modern anti-depressants are very safe, and non-addictive and do a great job of assisting with the chemical imbalance discussed above. They can help neutralise the electro-chemical "fog" in the brain which sufferers often describe. One analogy would be to think of them as scaffolding, they help keep the building upright and enable the work to be done (perhaps through therapy) rather than actually doing all the work itself.

To discuss our successful depression treatment methods and how therapy can help you with your depression in the longer term, book an initial consultation now (just enter coupon code INITIALAC for a 50% discount).

NB If you are taking, or do take an anti-depressant medication it is essential that you do NOT attempt to stop or reduce the dosage without the express guidance of your GP. Often these medications are having far more effect than may be noticeable and should be reduced or stopped ONLY under the direction of your family doctor.

Do you need help and treatment for depression in the Bournemouth or Poole area?

For more advice or to book an assessment consultation, contact Dolphin Hypnotherapy now, or book online using voucher code INITIALAC for a 50% discount

(Please note that in the event of non-attendance or cancellation with less than 48 hours' notice, our standard consultation fee will be charged).