Depression Therapy in Stourbridge & Online UK-wide

 

What depression is

Depression is a syndrome of low mood and reduced interest/pleasure, often accompanied by changes in sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, and self-evaluation (guilt, hopelessness). For many people, it can persist chronically despite outward appearances of good function in their daily lives, even if they find themselves increasingly disconnected or struggling. For others, the impact is more direct, significantly impacting their ability to work or engage with others. 

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What it can feel like (common difficulties)

• Persistent low mood, increased anger and irritation, flatness, emptiness, or numbness; reduced interest/pleasure.

• Fatigue, slowed thinking, poor concentration; sleep or appetite changes.

• Self-critical rumination (“What’s the point?”, “I’m failing”).

• Withdrawing from friends, work challenges, exercise, hobbies; more time in bed/online.

• Feeling trapped between no energy to do and nothing changes if I don’t.

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Why it persists

When mood drops, people understandably do less - either in obvious or more subtle ways, such as reducing our engagement with the things we are doing.  Doing less, or reducing our full engagement, helps us avoid uncomfortable feelings in the short-term but ultimately reduces our contact with rewarding experiences, keeping mood low. When they are struggling, people may also find themselves caught up in unhelpful ways of thinking - which limit their ability to move forward, such ruminating over their difficulties or criticising themselves harshly for their situation. This can feel like problem-solving but tends to get people stuck in loops that not only prevent them moving forward but actively increase their sense of hopelessness or stuckness. The longer this cycle runs, the smaller life gets and worse their mood becomes.

Our aim: reverse the shutdown loop; to restore activity that matters, reduce rumination, and rebuild momentum so that you can reconnect with important and meaningful aspects of your life.

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The plan: What we’ll do

​Evidence-based treatment involves a cognitive behavioural approach that addresses unhelpful ways of thinking, provides skills for managing difficult emotions, and takes to break the cycles that are keeping you stuck and moves you towards re-engaging with important aspects of your life.  All our work will be individualised, based on a tailored formulation of your difficulties, from which we will agree a plan to address your specific circumstances and move towards your personal goals for our work together.

 

Format: Weekly 60-minute sessions (Stourbridge or online UK-wide)

 

What changes in therapy

• Activity and quality of social contact increase; days feel more purposeful.

• Rumination time drops; harsh self-talk has less grip.

• Sleep and energy stabilise; more follow-through on plans.

• Mood improves as we make changes, not before.​

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Fees & logistics

• Individual therapy: £125 per 60-minute session

• Location: Stourbridge (West Midlands) & online across the UK

• Availability: Daytime and limited early evenings

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FAQs

• Is this “positive thinking”?
  No. We change actions first, test beliefs against data, and build tolerance for difficult feelings so life can widen—mood usually follows.

• What if I can’t get motivated?
  We use action-before-motivation principles: tiny, scheduled steps tied to your values, tracked and reviewed. Motivation grows with momentum.

• How long does therapy take?
  Meaningful functional gains often appear within 12 sessions; recurrent or chronic patterns may take longer. We set review points and adapt pace.

• Do you work with Persistent Depressive Disorder (dysthymia)?
  Yes—approach is similar but usually slower at first, with extra focus on habits, identity stories, and maintaining routines.

• Medication or therapy—or both?
  Both can help. I don’t prescribe; but I encourage you to have a conversation with your GP to discuss your options.

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Next Steps:

Enquire about availability for face to face appointments in Stourbridge, using the button below.

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​​​If you would prefer an online appointment, you can learn more about online appointments by clicking the button below