Oxford CBT / Conditions / Depression

Depression

Depression is more than just having a few days of sadness or irritability, it is a recognised mental health condition that can affect any of us due to circumstances and presents in different ways for different people. However people can fully recover from depression with the correct treatment and support.

What is Depression?

Adults and children alike often experience episodes of sadness from time to time, but when depressed, the sadness lasts longer than just a few days, it can last weeks or months. This all can result in a broad range of effects on daily activities and quality of life. Identifying these difficulties early is key in terms of instigating change. We recognise the pressures faced by adults and young people in all walks of life and can help make the individual, their families and friends aware of key signs and symptoms they should look out for.

Depression can include many different triggers and a wide range of potential causes. It can sometimes be brought on by traumatic or stressful life events, including the loss of a loved one, divorce, childbirth, illness, redundancy, and concerns about career or finances.

A family history of depression increases a person’s likelihood of developing the condition. But it’s also possible to develop depression for no apparent reason. 

Recovery

To improve mood and help assist in the recovery from depression, a few simple steps can be followed:

Depression recovery can be greatly influenced by implementing healthy measures such as exercise and a balanced diet. According to research, exercise can help reduce symptoms of depression. 

Exercise has been shown to increase mood, lower stress and anxiety, promote the release of endorphins (your body’s feel-good chemicals), and boost self-esteem.

Exercise can help with social interaction and may be a useful diversion from problematic thinking.

It is simple to move through life quickly and forget to pause and pay attention.

By focusing more on the here and now, on your inner thoughts and sensations as well as your surroundings, you can enhance your mental wellness.

Simple steps can be taken to increase this awareness in your own life. This awareness can often be described as “mindfulness”.

Being supported and gaining insight into your own depression can come through talking about a situation with a friend or a group.

According to research, talking can benefit stress management and depression recovery.

If you are uncomfortable to talk about your mental health with others, Alternative methods of boosting your mood include journaling about your feelings or expressing them through writing them down, poetry or art. 

signs of depression and symptoms

Treatment for depression

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (known as CBT) is an evidence-based talking therapy designed to help patients manage their difficulties by changing the way they think and behave. Sessions focus on becoming aware of thoughts which lead to depression and unhelpful behaviour patterns that keep them feeling stuck, sad and alone. Our team of qualified clinicians specialise in helping people overcome depression, low self-esteem and Seasonal Affective Disorder as well as ways it can present such as anger, relationship difficulties and longer periods of low mood. 

NICE guidelines recommend the duration of treatment should typically be in the range of 16 to 20 sessions over 3 to 4 months. Including two sessions per week for the first 2 to 3 weeks of treatment for people with moderate or severe depression.

Book an appointment

All clinicians at Oxford CBT practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or are Psychologists, providing evidence-based interventions and support for Depression and a range of other conditions for both young people and adults. If you would like more information, please visit our FAQ’s page or get in touch via our online contact form or call us on 01865 920077.

Clinicians who specialize in treating Depression

Take a self-assessment Screening

Complete screening questionnaire and we will connect you with a therapist according to your needs and requirement criteria.

Consider online therapy

Online sessions are a flexible alternative to in person sessions and have been proven to be equally as effective.

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What Our Patients Have To Say

LeahLeah
15:37 01 Sep 23
Highly recommend Oxford CBT. Deepika was incredibly helpful when it came to invoices for insurance, and changing between in-person and online sessions. My weekly sessions with Ellie were always positive, she always validated my feelings and provided me with techniques to reach my therapy goals. She is brilliant, and I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for help.
Imogen GrahamImogen Graham
14:10 08 Jun 23
Can't speak highly enough of Oxford CBT. The booking/rearrangement process has been updated to be really easy, and the flexibility to be online or in-person is invaluable. I worked on my struggles with depression and anxiety with Ellen and then more extensively with Ellie and she helped me so much, even just session-to-session she's so friendly and warm and validating, I could laugh with her just as often as I could cry. When I started CBT I wasn't convinced that it would work but with the patience of Ellen and Ellie, I'm doing so much better. Thank you so much to them and to Oxford CBT.
Gemma LandersGemma Landers
14:03 20 May 22
It was very easy to book sessions. Jennifer was a great therapist, every session with her was great and really helped me. She was kind and caring and knowledgeable. All the things she gave me to help, worked, and I still use them now when I need to. CBT really helped me and I would highly recommend Oxford CBT.
James WestgateJames Westgate
11:10 27 Sep 21
Karen IsonKaren Ison
15:52 14 Sep 21
I have just completed a final phase of therapy. It has been hard work but so beneficial. The schema therapy knowledge that Tom used has given me a much better insight into how my childhood has impacted me as an adult and given me freedom from the past and the ability to move on. Tom's unfailing encouragement and empathy kept me going on the difficult journey. I would recommend to anyone.
Elizabeth RoweElizabeth Rowe
16:39 03 Mar 21
I started doing weekly CBT sessions with Ellie in September 2020 at a time when I was suffering badly from insomnia and was looking for help dealing with anxiety and racing thoughts at night. Although we never met in person but only over Zoom, I felt as though Ellie and I had some really good conversations. She's an immensely sympathetic and caring person and she also has a good sense of humour. She really tried hard to help me talk through my problems and to give me CBT-based strategies for dealing with stress. I'd recommend her to anyone.
ErikaErika
12:20 07 Jul 20
I had my therapy sessions with Adam Lacey. He is just amazing. He has empowered me to be more in touch with myself and more true to my values. He has helped me to understand the matrix through which I see the world, in order to change it accordingly to what I really believe in and to what I find more useful in this moment of my life. He has helped to develop my compassionate side both towards myself and towards others. We’ve worked together on self criticism and self confidence. I felt Adam kept adapting the sessions according to my needs, mixing up different styles and supporting me holistically. I also brought to him themes that might be less common for therapists (such as polyamory) and he has made me feel welcomed, safe and supported.Skype sessions worked perfectly fine. Adam has been able to create a connection and make me feel completely comfortable with the online sessions.
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