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CBT Counselling for the Treatment of Depression in London

If you are looking towards counselling, in London, to treat depression then cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers hope for people with depression. CBT is the psychological treatment of choice for depression, and offers practical evidence based solutions. Evidence suggests that specific CBT counselling can help us overcome depression equal to medication but, when cognitive behavioural treatment is complete, depression is less likely to return.

Depression is a common condition with studies estimating that two out of three of us will experience an episode of depression in our lifetimes.

It is also estimated that only one in four women and one in ten men will access treatment of their depression (NHS Clinical Knowledge summaries)

In mild forms, feeling depressed, low in mood, sad or fed up can be considered an almost ‘universal experience’ for most of us. We normally feel sad or fed up when life is stressful or difficult for us. If feeling low in mood deteriorates and the feelings of low-mood stay with us for longer than two weeks then it may have developed into depression.

Symptoms of depression can significantly interfere with a person’s ability to live, work, and enjoy their life as they wish to, and CBT counselling can help overcome depression.

Common Features

There are a number of features commonly associated with an episode of depression. When people become depressed we often experience some of the following depressive symptoms:

• A Persistent feeling of low mood or unhappiness
• A sense worthlessness and inadequacy with a loss of confidence
• Feelings of guilt, anxiety and irritability
• Feeling tired, a loss of energy, general aches and pains and little motivation to do things
• Loss of interest and pleasure in day to day activities
• Changes in appetite – either eating less or more
• Sleep disturbance – difficulties getting off to sleep or early morning waking
• Loss of interest in sex and or a reduction in sex drive
• Difficulties in concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
• A sense of hopelessness and helplessness about the future
• Difficulties being around people leading to withdrawal and isolating self
• Thoughts of death and suicide
• Thoughts becomes extreme, negative / self critical and unhelpful

People with depression may not necessarily experience all of these symptoms but the majority of us with depression will have five or six (Royal College of Psychiatrists 2010). If you experience these symptoms for a period up to two weeks or more it is important that you seek help and see one of our cognitive behavioural therapists.

Treatment of Depression

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (or CBT counselling) is the treatment of choice for mild to moderate depression and if symptoms are severe then CBT has a greater effect when combined with medication.

Guidelines produced by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as the effective psychological treatment (or counselling) to overcome depression. According to ‘best evidence’ cognitive behavioural therapy not only has the best efficacy for the treatment of depression but in follow up studies it has the best record for maintaining the gains in cognitive behavioural treatment and staying well.

We are a pure cognitive behavioural therapy service based in three London locations and Sevenoaks with a team of BABCP accredited Cognitive behavioural therapists. All accredited cognitive behavioural therapists will be trained mental health professionals and competent in treating depression. So so you can be assured that you health is in the hands of trusted health care professionals.

Evidence Base

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence is the independent organisation responsible for providing the Department of Health with national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. Recommendations made by NICE within their guidelines are based on evidence and research from clinical studies that formulates ideas and procedures for best practice.

If you would like to find out more or book an assessments in our London clinics then call on the number below or complete the online contact form.

Telephone: 020 7929 7911