Dr Anthony Arcuri offers effective, evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of depression. He has over 10 years’ experience working therapeutically with people experiencing depression.

What is depression?

Although experiences of depression may differ across people, it often includes a consistently depressed mood (e.g., a flat, agitated or irritated mood, with feelings of sadness, hopelessness or emptiness) and/or a significant loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities. Depression can also involve changes in appetite (sometimes with weight loss or gain), insomnia or oversleeping, fatigue or energy loss, feelings of worthlessness or guilt, difficulty getting moving, difficulty thinking or concentrating, and/or thoughts of dying or taking one’s life.

Depression may appear as a single episode or as multiple episodes across one’s life. Sometimes these episodes are triggered by particular situations, but sometimes the triggers are less obvious. Depression can also be felt as an ongoing experience, present more often than not, and it may be difficult to understand where it has come from. Perhaps it feels as though it has been there all of one’s life. Whatever its course and origins, depression is treatable and the chances for recovery are very good.

How is depression treated?

In treating depression, Anthony will work with you first to begin to understand its causes and origins. Sometimes these can be addressed in the short-term with structured and practical strategies, guided by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and/or systemic therapy (where relationship problems are present).

Beyond practical strategies, in many cases it is helpful also to work through one’s emotional and psychological responses to the causes of the depression, via psychodynamic therapy. Such causes may include difficulties in relationships, problems at work, difficulty approaching or negotiating life transitions or significant events, or difficulty dealing with loss (of relationship, of job/career, of status). Sometimes the depression may have its origins deep in one’s history, and it might be fruitful explore how this is so and how the past may be alive in the present, to provide an opportunity for mastery of the problem.

In any case, the goals and the approach to your therapy would be negotiated between you and Anthony, and reviewed where new understandings come to light.

If you would like to learn more or to arrange an appointment, you are welcome to contact Anthony directly.