Psychotherapy and Counselling for Depression in Edinburgh, London and Online
Depression and persistent low mood can deeply affect every aspect of life, from relationships and work to the ability to perform daily activities. At The Life Academy, we provide a holistic approach to psychotherapy, addressing the emotional, psychological, and physical aspects of depression. Our approach incorporates Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic therapy, and neurofeedback, along with spiritual counselling. By working with each individual's unique emotional landscape, we help our clients reconnect with themselves, rediscover a sense of purpose, and heal on a deeper level.
Understanding Depression and Low Mood
Depression is more than just feeling sad—it’s a complex mental health condition that can manifest in many ways, such as:
Persistent sadness or feelings of emptiness
Hopelessness or helplessness
Chronic fatigue and lack of motivation
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Physical symptoms, including changes in sleep, appetite, or chronic pain
Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Social withdrawal and isolation
Depression may be triggered by life events, ongoing stress, unresolved trauma, or biological factors. At The Life Academy, we focus on creating a personalized treatment plan for each client, helping them navigate the complexities of depression with holistic and compassionate care.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy and Depression
Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is a powerful tool for addressing the underlying emotional pain and trauma that often contribute to depression. IFS views the mind as composed of different “parts,” each with its own set of emotions and roles. In depression, certain parts of the self can become overwhelmed by feelings of worthlessness, guilt, or sadness, which are often linked to unresolved trauma or unmet emotional needs from the past.
IFS helps clients:
Identify and understand the parts of themselves that are burdened by these difficult emotions.
Develop a compassionate relationship with these parts, reducing the internal conflict that often exacerbates depression.
Reconnect with their core Self, a grounded and compassionate part of the psyche that can bring balance and healing to these wounded parts.
Through IFS, clients learn to work with their inner emotional system, addressing the root causes of depression and fostering long-term emotional resilience.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is central to our treatment approach for depression. ACT helps clients move away from the struggle to control or eliminate negative thoughts and emotions. Instead, it encourages individuals to accept their emotional experiences and commit to living a values-driven life, even in the presence of difficult feelings.
Key components of ACT include:
Acceptance: Depression often leads to avoidance, where individuals try to suppress or push away painful emotions. ACT helps clients accept their emotions without judgment, reducing the internal battle that worsens depression.
Mindfulness: By staying present and aware, ACT teaches individuals to observe their thoughts and feelings from a distance, rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. This mindfulness can break the cycle of depressive rumination and allow for greater emotional clarity.
Values-Based Action: Depression can strip away an individual’s sense of meaning and purpose. ACT helps clients identify their core values and commit to actions aligned with those values, even when their mood is low. This focus on meaningful action can help counterbalance feelings of hopelessness and bring a sense of purpose back into life.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT)
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) is another essential part of our treatment for depression. Many individuals suffering from depression have an overactive inner critic, constantly blaming or judging themselves for their feelings. CFT helps individuals develop self-compassion, learning to treat themselves with the same kindness and care they would extend to a loved one.
CFT focuses on:
Cultivating self-compassion: Depression often leads to self-blame and harsh inner criticism. CFT teaches clients to replace this inner judgment with a gentler, more compassionate approach, helping to alleviate the emotional pain that comes from self-criticism.
Balancing emotional systems: CFT explains that the brain’s threat system can become overactive in individuals with depression, leading to feelings of fear, shame, or guilt. Through compassion-focused practices, clients strengthen their soothing system, promoting emotional balance and reducing the overwhelming feelings of depression.
Building emotional resilience: By developing self-compassion, clients become better equipped to handle difficult emotions without feeling overwhelmed by them. This shift in mindset can create a profound change in how they experience their depression.
Somatic Therapy: Healing Depression in the Body
Depression is not just an emotional experience; it often manifests physically in the form of chronic fatigue, tension, or other physical discomforts. Somatic Therapy focuses on the mind-body connection, helping clients recognize and release emotional pain stored in their bodies.
Key components of somatic therapy include:
Body awareness exercises: These help individuals reconnect with their physical sensations and identify areas of tension or discomfort.
Breathwork and mindful movement: These practices help release stored emotional energy and promote relaxation, reducing the physical impact of depression.
Grounding techniques: Somatic therapy teaches clients how to stay present in their bodies, which can reduce feelings of numbness or disconnection commonly associated with depression.
By addressing both the emotional and physical symptoms of depression, somatic therapy provides a holistic path to healing.
Neurofeedback Therapy: Enhancing Brain and Emotional Regulation
Neurofeedback therapy is an advanced, non-invasive method that helps individuals with depression by regulating brainwave activity. Neurofeedback works by monitoring brainwave patterns in real-time and providing feedback to help clients learn how to self-regulate their brain’s activity. For individuals with depression, this can be especially helpful in reducing symptoms of emotional dysregulation, such as feeling stuck in a cycle of low mood or being unable to focus.
Neurofeedback therapy can help:
Improve emotional stability: By helping the brain find a more balanced state, neurofeedback reduces the emotional highs and lows often experienced in depression.
Reduce negative thought patterns: It can help break the cycle of negative thinking, fostering a more positive mental state.
Promote relaxation and mental clarity: Neurofeedback helps calm the brain's stress responses, allowing individuals to feel more relaxed and focused.
This technique complements other forms of psychotherapy by addressing the brain’s role in depression, supporting long-term emotional recovery.
Spiritual Counselling: Rediscovering Meaning and Connection
For many individuals, depression is tied to a loss of meaning or purpose. Spiritual counselling offers clients an opportunity to explore existential questions, such as the purpose of life and their role in the world. Depression can often make individuals feel disconnected from their values, beliefs, and sense of connection with others or with something greater than themselves.
Through spiritual counselling, clients can:
Explore existential and philosophical questions that may help them reconnect with a sense of meaning and direction.
Rebuild a sense of purpose, which can counteract feelings of hopelessness.
Deepen their understanding of their spiritual or personal beliefs, providing a foundation of hope and connection that can support emotional healing.
The Role of the Therapeutic Relationship
At The Life Academy, we believe that a trusting, empathetic therapeutic relationship is essential for healing from depression. Depression often isolates individuals, making them feel misunderstood or unsupported. Our therapists provide a safe, compassionate environment, where clients can explore their emotions without fear of judgment. We work collaboratively, empowering clients to take an active role in their recovery and offering them the tools they need for long-term healing.
Empowering Long-Term Emotional Healing
At The Life Academy, we are dedicated to helping individuals achieve long-lasting healing from depression and low mood. By integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), somatic therapy, neurofeedback, and spiritual counselling, we offer a comprehensive approach that addresses both the emotional and physical aspects of depression.
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, we are here to support you every step of the way.