Depression Therapy Singapore

What Is Depression?

Depression is a common mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Individuals with depression may find themselves struggling with motivation, concentration, sleep or self-worth and may find themselves losing interest in activities that once felt meaningful. Unlike normal mood changes that come and go, these feelings last longer and affect everyday life, including work, school, relationships, and routines. Depression isn’t a sign of personal weakness or something a person can simply “snap out of”. It is a disorder that can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, race and background. Depression often results from a complex mix of biological, psychological, and social factors.

Sadness or Depression

Sadness is a normal human emotion that every individual experience. People usually feel sad in response to a specific trigger or life event. Some individuals experiencing sadness may find relief from crying or talking about it with others. A depressive episode is different from regular mood fluctuations. While sadness usually passes with time, persisting sadness or difficulties in resuming daily functioning may be signs of depression. This prolonged sadness and hopelessness may last most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. Sadness is just one element of depression.

Common Signs and Experiences

People experiencing depression may notice a combination of emotional, physical and behavioural experiences. These can include a persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, social isolation, changes in appetite, concentration difficulties, fatigue, insomnia or hypersomnia, feelings of worthlessness, helplessness or hopelessness. In some cases, depression can even lead to suicide ideation. Depression symptoms may look different for everyone. Some individuals may only experience a few symptoms, while others may experience many. Recognising these signs early can help individuals seek support before the symptoms escalate.

How Depression Can Affect Daily Life

Depression may affect daily functioning, including work, relationships and motivation. Some individuals may experience changes in concentration, recurring negative thoughts or engagement with others. Everyday tasks may feel more challenging, which can affect overall quality of life.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy provides a structured and supportive space to help individuals understand depressive experiences, develop coping strategies and support recovery. These can include strategies to manage stress, set realistic goals and build supportive routines. Psychological therapy may help individuals to relate differently to unhelpful thoughts, manage difficult emotions and gradually re-engage in daily activities and relationships, building skills that support long-term well-being. Over time, these skills may support recovery, resilience, and overall emotional well-being, at a pace that respects each person’s needs and circumstances.

Our Therapeutic Approach

Our psychologists use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioural strategies, emotion regulation skills, and mindfulness-based techniques. These include, but are not limited to: Psychodynamic/Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Schema Therapy, Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Therapy is tailored to each individual’s needs and paced collaboratively. Grounded in dialogue, our therapy provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral and nonjudgmental. You and your psychologist will work together to identify and explore changes that may support your improved well-being.

What To Expect In Sessions

Initial sessions focus on understanding your experiences, concerns, and goals. Together with your psychologist, you will develop a shared understanding of what depression is and agree on a therapy plan. Sessions are confidential and conducted in a respectful, non-judgemental manner. In earlier sessions, your psychologist may ask you to describe the problem that has brought you into his or her office. Thereafter, psychologists may gather relevant information on your background, as well as the history of your problems and other major areas of your life, and the ways you have tried to address the concerns. Sessions are typically an interactive and collaborative process based on dialogue which promotes your active engagement in joint problem-solving. Your psychologist may give you homework assignments so that you can practice new skills between sessions or reading assignments so that you can learn more about a particular topic. Together you and your psychologist will identify problems, set goals and monitor your progress.

Who This Service May Be Suitable For

Therapy may be helpful for individuals experiencing overwhelming and persistent sadness, prolonged sense of hopelessness and lack of motivation. Individuals who find that their problems who do not seem to get better despite efforts and help from family or friends may also find the service beneficial. Therapy may also be helpful for individuals experiencing stress-related difficulties that interfere with daily functioning.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does therapy take? The length of therapy varies depending on individual needs and goals. Do I need a referral? A referral is not required to see a psychologist.

Is therapy for depression confidential? Yes, confidentiality applies, with standard professional limits.

Call To Action

If you would like to explore whether therapy for depression could be helpful, you are welcome to contact us for an initial consultation. If you think you may have depression, an initial consultation can help clarify the next steps.