Depression and Mood Disorder Support

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, which in Australia is estimated to affect one in seven people throughout their lifetime. Furthermore, many more people will experience periods of low mood that significantly impact their wellbeing, relationships, and ability to function day-to-day. And, the impact of depression grows when we consider the flow-on effect on family, friends, and community. 

Despite how common depression is, it often feels deeply isolating. Opening up about how you are feeling to a loved one or support person, let alone deciding to seek professional support, can feel confronting and at times overwhelming. At Forward Thinking Psychological Services, we recognise that reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but an immensely courageous step.

At Forward Thinking Psychological Services, treatment for low mood and depression is a core area of clinical interest and experience. We aim to meet you with compassion and respect, and to work alongside you towards your goals.

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Common Symptoms of Depression

Depression can manifest differently from one person to the next, but it is typically characterised by a cluster of symptoms that persist for at least two weeks and represent a significant change from a person’s usual mood and level of functioning.

Common symptoms may include:

  • Persistent low mood, sadness, or emptiness

  • Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable

  • Reduced motivation or difficulty initiating tasks

  • Changes in sleep (sleeping too much or too little)

  • Changes in appetite or weight

  • Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or excessive self-criticism

  • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

  • Feeling Suicidal

Not everyone experiences all symptoms, and severity can fluctuate over time. 

Common Difficulties Associated with Depression

Beyond mood changes, depression often affects many areas of life. People experiencing depression may notice difficulties such as:

  • Thinking difficulties, including rumination, pessimism, or a harsh inner critic

  • Low energy and fatigue, even after rest or sleep

  • Challenges at work or study, including reduced productivity, absenteeism, or loss of confidence

  • Social withdrawal, avoiding friends, family, or previously valued activities

  • Difficulties in romantic or close relationships, including reduced communication or emotional distance, and/or loss of libido

  • Emotional numbness or flatness, where it feels hard to access or experience emotions at all

These difficulties can reinforce one another and compound in severity, sometimes making depression feel entrenched or hard to escape without support.

Other Mood-Related Presentations

Mood-related difficulties can manifest in a range of ways other than depression. Some people experience fluctuations in mood, energy, or motivation that do not fit neatly into a single diagnosis, but nonetheless cause significant distress or disruption to daily life. This might include:

  • Persistent low mood or dysthymic patterns, where symptoms are longstanding but less severe

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder - a predictable pattern of mood disruption alongside certain seasons of the year

  • Grief, or loss - especially in instances where symptoms are severe and persist longer than six months

  • Mood instability associated with stress, burnout, health conditions, or life transitions

  • Emotional regulation difficulties, including rapid shifts in mood or difficulty recovering from emotional stressors

  • Mood-related symptoms occurring alongside anxiety, trauma, ADHD, or chronic health conditions

Where mood symptoms are complex, severe, or suggestive of conditions that may require psychiatric input, our clinicians place a strong emphasis on comprehensive assessment, ongoing monitoring, and collaboration with GPs, psychiatrists or other mental health services when appropriate. Our role is to provide thorough psychological support, clarity, and continuity of care, while ensuring you are connected with the right services for your needs.

Treatment Approach

Treatment for depression and mood-based disorders at Forward Thinking Psychological Services is guided by a warm, collaborative, and evidence-based approach. Therapy begins with taking the time to understand your personal experience - including the factors that may have contributed to the onset or maintenance of depression, and the ways it has affected your life.

Depending on your needs, treatment may draw on:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) to address unhelpful thinking patterns and behavioural withdrawal

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to support values-based action and psychological flexibility

  • Schema Therapy–informed approaches to explore longstanding patterns, beliefs, and emotional needs

  • Interpersonal principles, focusing on relationships, roles, and life transitions

  • Boundary and communication principles, particularly where depression is intertwined with work or relationship stress

  • Metacognitive Therapy, targeting rumination and unhelpful thinking processes

There is no “cookie-cutter” method for managing depression. As such, having experience and specialist training across multiple therapeutic models allows support to be tailored, relevant, and adjusted over time as your goals and circumstances evolve.

Referrals and funding options

Online Psychological support for depression and mood-related problems may be accessed via:

We offer a reduced session fee for students and young adults (aged 18-25 years old) as part of our current initiative to improve mental health support for individuals studying, or starting their career. This initiative is compatible with our treatment plans for Depression and Mood Disorder. Availability is is limited - please enquire for more info.

Please see the service overview page for further information about referrals, fees, and rebates.

Summary

If you, or a loved one, are experiencing symptoms of depression or ongoing low mood, we would welcome the opportunity to support you. Please feel free to contact us at info@forwardthinkingpsychology.com for more information and next steps.

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The Heart of Therapy Is Human Connection

At the core of effective therapy is a genuine connection. Feeling seen, heard, and understood. That’s why we believe the most important part of your therapeutic journey is finding someone you truly feel comfortable with.

About us

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions? Take a look at our FAQ or reach out anytime to info@forwardthinkingpsychology.com

  • This really depends on what you’re seeking support for and how complex your situation is. Some people find a smaller number of sessions (often around 6) helpful for gaining clarity or practical tools, while others prefer longer-term support (15+ sessions). We’ll regularly check in about what’s working, what you need, and whether continuing therapy feels right for you. You’re never “locked in,” and there’s no expectation to attend more sessions than are genuinely helpful.

  • Working through a depressive episode is, unfortunately, more complex than recovering from something like the flu. Adjusting expectations to meaningful change over weeks or months, rather than days, is usually more realistic. Progress often looks like a staircase - insight, understanding, or a clear plan can bring early shifts, while other changes take time to show up in daily life. Our focus is on meaningful, sustainable improvement rather than quick fixes or superficial advice.

  • Yes - you are always in control of what you choose to share, and you can skip questions if needed. Sessions are guided by what feels most relevant or pressing for you. Our clinicians are trained to work alongside you (not interrogate you). The aim is to create a safe, respectful space, ask thoughtful questions, and offer guidance - never to push you into discussing topics you don’t want to address.

  • This is a very reasonable concern - many people have had unhelpful experiences with therapy or therapists in the past. If therapy isn’t feeling useful, we’ll talk about it openly. We actively welcome feedback about what does or doesn’t suit you. Often, this leads to helpful adjustments in focus or approach. In some cases, we may also discuss whether additional supports (such as a medication review or other services) could help move things forward. When approached collaboratively, there is usually a constructive way forward - even if it requires thinking a little outside the box.

  • Not necessarily. Many people benefit from psychological therapy without medication, while for others medication can be a helpful addition. This is a personal decision best made in consultation with your GP or psychiatrist. We encourage caution with advice from online forums or generic information sources, as these can be misleading. While we can’t provide specific medication advice, we’re happy to discuss options at a general level and assist with referrals to GPs or psychiatrists we trust.

  • You don’t need a referral to book an appointment. However, if you’d like to access Medicare rebates, you’ll need a Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. We’re happy to explain this process if it’s unfamiliar.

  • That’s completely okay. Many people come to therapy feeling unsure or overwhelmed rather than with a clear label or goal. Part of the work can involve helping you make sense of what’s going on and identifying what support might be most helpful.