Depression Therapy
Depression therapy helps people understand and lift persistent low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, and hopelessness — working with both the symptoms and the patterns that sustain them.
About this service
Depression is more than sadness. It can feel like a persistent heaviness, a flattening of interest and pleasure, a draining of energy, and a sense that nothing will change. It affects how you think, how you feel in your body, and how you relate to others. It is also highly treatable.
Franco works with depression using CBT and Schema Therapy in combination. CBT offers behavioural activation and cognitive restructuring to lift mood and rebuild momentum in the present, while Schema Therapy addresses the deeper schemas — such as defectiveness, failure, emotional deprivation, and self-sacrifice — that often underlie recurring or chronic depression.
The approach is collaborative and paced to where you are. For some, the first priority is restoring energy and daily function; for others, the work goes deeper into the patterns that have made depression a recurring part of life. Both are valid, and both are addressed.
The approach
- Behavioural activation to rebuild engagement, routine, and a sense of reward
- CBT to identify and reframe the negative thought patterns that sustain low mood
- Schema Therapy to address underlying schemas such as defectiveness, failure, and deprivation
- Compassionate, paced work that respects how depleted depression can make you feel
- Relapse-prevention strategies for those with recurrent depressive episodes
Benefits
- Lifts mood and restores energy, motivation, and interest
- Breaks the cycle of withdrawal and inactivity that deepens depression
- Addresses root schemas to reduce the risk of recurrence
- Builds a sustainable, values-aligned way of living that protects against relapse
Who it's for
- People experiencing persistent low mood, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Those who have lost interest or pleasure in things they once enjoyed
- Individuals with fatigue, poor concentration, or changes in sleep and appetite
- Anyone with recurrent depression who wants to address the patterns underneath it
What to expect
- A gentle, collaborative assessment of your experience and what you need first
- Practical, manageable steps to rebuild momentum without overwhelming you
- Deeper schema work where depression is part of a longstanding pattern
- Sessions of 50 minutes, in-person at Elsternwick or via Telehealth Australia-wide
Questions about Depression Therapy
How is depression treated in therapy?
Depression is typically treated with a combination of behavioural activation (rebuilding rewarding activity), cognitive work (reframing negative thought patterns), and where relevant Schema Therapy to address the deeper schemas that make depression recur. Franco tailors the balance to your needs and energy levels.
What if I'm too depleted to do much between sessions?
That is completely understood. Depression drains energy, and the early work is paced accordingly. Tasks between sessions are kept small and manageable, and the focus is on gentle, sustainable steps rather than overwhelming demands. The pace adjusts as your energy returns.
Can therapy help if I've had depression for years?
Yes. Recurrent or chronic depression often has deeper roots in early schemas and life patterns, which is exactly what Schema Therapy is designed to address. Many people who have lived with depression for years find that working at this deeper level brings change that shorter-term approaches did not.
Ready to explore depression therapy?
A free 15-minute call is the simplest way to find out whether this approach fits your needs. Every intake is personally triaged by Franco.
Other services
Explore the other therapeutic services Franco offers.
Schema Therapy
Schema Therapy explains how early experiences shape core beliefs, emotional responses, coping mechanisms, and relationships — and how therapy helps people recognise and change these lifelong patterns.
Learn moreCBT
CBT helps people identify and change unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. It is structured, goal-oriented, and strongly supported by research for anxiety, depression, and a range of emotional difficulties.
Learn moreEMDR Trauma Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an important approach to trauma treatment. It helps people process distressing experiences and traumatic memories that continue to affect emotional wellbeing and daily functioning.
Learn more