Depression therapy in Melbourne.
Depression can be flat and grey, or heavy and painful, or just a slow draining away of things that used to matter. However it shows up for you, it's one of the most common reasons people come to see a psychologist — and it's treatable.
Our AHPRA-registered psychologists offer evidence-based therapy for depression at our Carlton, St Kilda and Ringwood North clinics, and by telehealth anywhere in Australia. You don't need a referral to book.
Depression doesn't always look like sadness.
People often expect depression to feel like crying, or grief. Sometimes it does. Often it's quieter than that — and easier to explain away as stress, or tiredness, or just how things are at the moment.
Flatness and emptiness
Not sadness so much as an absence — things that used to matter don't seem to register. Some people describe it as feeling hollowed out.
Exhaustion that sleep doesn't fix
Waking unrefreshed, or sleeping far more or far less than usual. Everyday tasks start to feel disproportionately effortful.
Withdrawing
Cancelling plans, letting messages sit unanswered, narrowing down to the bare minimum — often while telling yourself you'll pick it back up next week.
Harsh self-talk
A running internal commentary that's far tougher on you than you'd be on anyone else, and that starts to sound like simple fact rather than opinion.
Trouble concentrating or deciding
Reading the same paragraph three times. Small decisions feeling unaccountably hard.
Physical symptoms
Appetite changes, aches, a heaviness in the body. Depression is not only a mental experience.
If what you recognise most is a sense of emptiness rather than low mood, you may find our page on why you might be feeling empty or flat a closer fit for where you're at.
How we work with depression.
There's no single approach that fits everyone. Your psychologist will talk through what's going on, what you've already tried, and what you want to be different — and then explain which approach they'd suggest and why. If something isn't working, you're welcome to say so and change direction.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Among the most extensively researched approaches for depression. Looks at the links between what you think, what you do, and how you feel.
About CBT →Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Focuses on stepping back from difficult thoughts and reconnecting with what matters to you, rather than arguing with the thoughts directly.
About ACT →Schema Therapy
Often considered where low mood is long-standing and connected to patterns that go back a long way.
About Schema Therapy →Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
Works on relationships, roles and transitions where these are closely tied to how you've been feeling.
About IPT →CBT for insomnia (CBT-I)
Sleep and mood tend to move together. Where sleep is a significant part of the picture, addressing it directly can be part of the plan.
About CBT-I →All our approaches
A fuller picture of the therapies our psychologists draw on.
Treatment approaches →Three steps, and the first is tiny.
Say hello
Book online or call — tell us as much or as little as you like. No referral needed, and nothing to prepare.
Get matched
Our admin team pairs you with a psychologist who works with depression and low mood.
First session
Mostly listening — 50 minutes to understand what's been happening and sketch a plan together.
You can read more about what to expect in therapy, or meet our psychologists and their areas of practice.
More affordable than you might expect.
Our fees sit below the APS recommended rate, and several funding pathways can reduce what you pay: Medicare rebates with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan, NDIS funding for self- and plan-managed participants, TAC for transport accident-related care, WorkCover for accepted workplace claims, and EAP if your employer offers it. Call and we'll walk you through exactly what you'd pay, or see our fees page.
Frequently asked questions.
Do I need a referral to see a psychologist about depression?
No. You can book directly with us at any time. A referral only becomes relevant if you want to claim a Medicare rebate — for that you'd need a Mental Health Treatment Plan from your GP, which they can prepare in a standard appointment. See our Medicare page for how that works.
How do I know if it's depression or just a rough patch?
That distinction is genuinely hard to draw from the inside, and it isn't something to diagnose yourself from a website. Duration and impact are usually what matter — how long it's been going on, and how much it's affecting your work, relationships and daily functioning. A psychologist or your GP can assess it properly with you.
Do I have to take medication?
Psychologists don't prescribe medication. Some people have therapy alone, some have medication alone, and some have both — that's a conversation for you and your GP or psychiatrist. We're happy to work alongside whatever you decide, and can liaise with your GP with your consent.
How many sessions will I need?
It varies widely depending on what's going on and how long it's been present, so we can't give a number in advance without being misleading. You'll review progress with your psychologist as you go and decide together how to continue.
Can I do this by telehealth?
Yes. Telehealth sessions run by secure video with the same psychologists, and Medicare rebates apply on the same basis as in-person sessions. Some people prefer it, some prefer the room — either is fine.
What if I've tried therapy before and it didn't help?
That's common, and worth saying out loud in a first session. It's useful information — what was tried, what it was like, and what didn't fit. Approach and fit with the individual psychologist both matter, and a different combination may work differently.
Is what I say confidential?
Yes, with a small number of legal exceptions your psychologist will explain at the outset. You can read more on our confidentiality page.
A first session is a conversation.
Book online in a couple of minutes, or call and our admin team will match you with a psychologist who works with depression.
Reviewed by Dr Simon Vincenzi, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Clarity Psychology.