Do you wake up feeling tired, unmotivated or wondering how you're going to get through another day?
Perhaps you've lost interest in things you used to enjoy, find yourself withdrawing from friends and family, or feel that you're simply going through the motions of everyday life.
You might be struggling with a constant inner critic, feelings of worthlessness or the belief that you're letting everyone down.
Sometimes depression can feel like sadness. At other times, it may feel like emptiness, numbness, irritability or a complete lack of motivation.
You may appear to be coping on the outside while feeling disconnected, overwhelmed or hopeless on the inside.
If this sounds familiar, you don't have to manage everything on your own.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we offer compassionate, professional depression counselling for adults in Hull, Hedon and East Yorkshire, as well as online across the UK.
Our approach focuses on helping you feel heard, understood and supported as you explore what may be contributing to your low mood and begin finding ways to move forward.
Depression is more than having a bad day or occasionally feeling sad.
It can affect how you think, feel, behave and experience yourself and the world around you.
For some people, depression develops following a difficult life event, such as bereavement, relationship difficulties, work-related stress or significant changes in circumstances.
For others, it may develop gradually, without an obvious explanation.
Depression can influence your energy, motivation, concentration, sleep, appetite and relationships.
You may find that activities which once felt straightforward now require considerable effort.
Experiencing depression does not mean you have failed or lack strength.
It is a recognised mental health condition that can affect anyone, and appropriate support can make a meaningful difference.
Depression can affect people in different ways. You might recognise some of the following experiences:
Persistent low mood: Feeling sad, empty, tearful or emotionally flat for much of the day.
Loss of interest or enjoyment: Finding little pleasure in hobbies, relationships or activities you previously enjoyed.
Low motivation and exhaustion: Struggling to get started, complete tasks or manage everyday responsibilities.
Self-criticism and feelings of worthlessness: Believing you are not good enough, blaming yourself or feeling like a burden to others.
Social withdrawal: Avoiding friends, family or social situations because connecting with others feels exhausting.
Sleep difficulties: Sleeping too much, struggling to fall asleep or waking without feeling rested.
Changes in appetite: Eating significantly more or less than usual.
Difficulty concentrating: Finding it hard to make decisions, remember information or focus.
Feeling hopeless: Struggling to imagine things improving or feeling stuck in your current circumstances.
Physical symptoms: Experiencing unexplained aches, heaviness or reduced energy.
You do not need to experience all these symptoms to seek counselling.
If low mood is persistent or substantially affecting daily life, it is also sensible to speak with your GP for an assessment and to discuss the support available.
Depression involves a complex interaction of psychological, social and biological factors.
Prolonged stress, difficult life experiences, grief, isolation, physical health conditions and changes in sleep can all contribute to depressive symptoms.
Sometimes, when you've spent a long time dealing with overwhelming circumstances, you may notice yourself becoming withdrawn, exhausted or emotionally disconnected.
You might find yourself wanting to stay in bed, avoiding responsibilities or struggling to engage with people and activities.
These experiences are not simply a matter of lacking willpower.
Counselling can help you explore what may be contributing to these patterns, understand your emotional responses and identify manageable ways to reconnect with everyday life.
We can also explore how stress is experienced in your body and whether grounding, gentle movement or other appropriate techniques might help you feel more present and connected.
At JP Counselling, we understand that when you're experiencing depression, even reaching out for support can feel like an enormous effort.
You may have spent a long time trying to cope independently or telling yourself that you should be able to manage.
Our counsellors provide a supportive space where you can begin exploring your experiences without pressure or judgement.
Counselling may help you to:
Understand Your Depression
Explore your current circumstances, emotional experiences and any patterns that may be contributing to low mood.
Reduce Self-Criticism and Develop Self-Compassion
Recognise the impact of harsh self-judgement, feelings of inadequacy and unrealistic expectations.
Begin developing a kinder, more understanding relationship with yourself.
Reconnect With Your Feelings and Needs
If you've spent a long time suppressing your emotions or prioritising others, counselling can help you explore what you're feeling and what you may need.
Build Motivation Through Manageable Steps
Explore realistic ways to reconnect with activities, routines and relationships that may support your wellbeing.
Progress doesn't have to involve dramatic changes. Sometimes small, achievable steps are particularly valuable.
Understand Difficult Experiences
Explore how loss, relationships, childhood experiences, trauma or ongoing stress may be affecting your emotional wellbeing.
Improve Relationships and Communication
Understand how depression may influence your relationships and explore ways to express your needs, feelings and boundaries.
Develop Hope and a Sense of Direction
Begin reconnecting with what matters to you, recognising personal strengths and exploring possibilities for the future.
The aim of counselling is not to force you to think positively, but to help you understand your experiences and develop ways of living that feel more manageable and meaningful.
Our counsellors work from person-centred, integrative and other approaches according to their individual training, experience and your needs.
We believe that feeling genuinely heard, accepted and understood is an important foundation for therapeutic change.
Rather than assuming there is a single explanation for your depression, we take time to understand your individual experiences.
Depending on your needs and the counsellor's training, our work may include:
Person-centred counselling: Providing an empathic, non-judgemental relationship where you can explore your feelings and experiences.
Experiential counselling: Helping you develop greater awareness of emotions, personal meanings and experiences that may be difficult to express.
Compassion-focused approaches: Exploring shame, self-criticism and the development of a more supportive relationship with yourself.
Somatic awareness: Noticing the physical experience of stress, emotional heaviness or disconnection and exploring appropriate grounding techniques.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-informed strategies: Exploring personal values and small, meaningful actions while learning to respond differently to difficult thoughts and feelings.
Practical wellbeing strategies: Supporting manageable routines, meaningful activities and ways of reconnecting with others.
The approaches used will depend on the counsellor's competence and the needs identified during assessment.
Depression can range from mild symptoms to significant difficulties affecting daily functioning.
If you're finding it difficult to manage basic activities, experiencing persistent hopelessness or having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important that you receive an appropriate assessment and support.
Our counsellors can discuss your circumstances and consider whether the counselling we offer is suitable or whether additional or specialist mental health services would be more appropriate.
For some people, counselling may be helpful alongside support from their GP or other mental health professionals.
NHS Talking Therapies services also provide evidence-based psychological treatments for depression, including Counselling for Depression and cognitive behavioural therapy.
Your wellbeing and safety are central to determining the most appropriate support for your needs.
Starting counselling can feel daunting, particularly when you're feeling low in confidence or struggling to find motivation.
Our first session is an opportunity to understand what you've been experiencing and what you would like help with.
We will explore:
How you've been feeling and how long these difficulties have been affecting you.
The impact on your relationships, work, daily routines and emotional wellbeing.
Any significant life events or circumstances you feel are relevant.
Your hopes and expectations for counselling.
Whether additional support or assessment may be appropriate.
Confidentiality, safeguarding and how counselling sessions work.
You don't need to have all the answers or know exactly what to say.
You can begin wherever you are, and we will work at a pace that feels manageable for you.
Perhaps you've become used to putting on a brave face, telling people you're fine or keeping difficult feelings to yourself.
You may feel guilty for struggling when others appear to be coping.
You might even have begun believing that nothing will change.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we aim to provide a compassionate, respectful environment where you can speak openly about your experiences.
We won't expect you to simply think positively or tell you how you should feel.
Instead, we'll work alongside you to explore your difficulties, recognise your needs and identify possibilities for change.
You don't have to wait until things become unbearable before seeking support.
Can counselling really help with depression?
Counselling can be an effective treatment for depression, although the most appropriate approach depends on the severity of symptoms and individual circumstances. Some people benefit from counselling alone, while others may need additional treatments or support.
What if I don't know why I'm depressed?
You don't need to know the cause before starting counselling. Exploring possible contributing factors can be part of the therapeutic process.
What if I have no motivation to attend counselling?
Low motivation is a common experience associated with depression. We can acknowledge this difficulty and work collaboratively to make engaging in counselling feel more manageable.
How many sessions will I need?
There is no fixed number. This depends on your individual circumstances, goals and the type of therapy offered. We can review your progress and needs together.
Will everything I say remain confidential?
We respect your privacy and handle personal information in accordance with professional and data protection requirements. Your counsellor will explain confidentiality and its limits, including safeguarding and legal responsibilities.
Can I have depression counselling online?
Yes. We offer online counselling across the UK where suitable, as well as face-to-face appointments in Hull and Hedon.
What if I feel nervous about starting therapy?
This is understandable. Our free 15-minute introductory conversation provides an opportunity to ask questions and decide whether our service feels right for you.
When you're struggling with depression, it can be difficult to imagine feeling differently.
You may feel exhausted, disconnected or uncertain about how things could improve.
You don't need to make dramatic changes or have a clear plan before reaching out.
Counselling offers an opportunity to explore what's happening, reconnect with your needs and begin identifying manageable steps towards a more fulfilling life.
At JP Counselling Group Practice, we're here to listen, understand and support you.
Individual counselling from £60 per session.
Face-to-face appointments in Hull and Hedon, with online counselling available across the UK.
We offer a free 15-minute introductory conversation to discuss your needs, answer your questions and explore whether counselling is right for you.
Contact JP Counselling Group Practice to arrange your free introductory conversation.
Working Together – Changing Your Future.