Challenges for clients working with depressive symptoms

Feeling Heard
Feeling valid, worthwhile and truly heard can be a struggle. These clients may need extra validation. Resist the temptation to challenge negativity too quickly.

Low Energy
It’s hard to feel motivated when we feel like nothing we do will make a difference. Listen and encourage compassion for the parts of a client’s experience that feels tired, helpless, and unmotivated.

Negative Self Talk
How we speak to ourselves matters. Negative messages that clients tell themselves may signal underlying patterns of negative beliefs. Trace these beliefs back to early memories if possible. When did they learn to talk to themselves in this way?

Fear of Relapse
It is not uncommon for depression episodes to recur. The best way to prevent a depression relapse is to process a client’s fears around relapse head-on.

Tolerating Emotions
Emotions like sadness, despair, and hopelessness feel like they will last forever. Strengthen a client’s resources for tolerating emotions, remind them to ‘ride the wave’ of the emotion, and to look for small exceptions.