Heading: Exploring Support for Depression: Why Alternative Approaches and Coaching Are Gaining Traction

Summary Depression coach: Many people seeking help for depression encounter challenges with traditional therapeutic models, including high dropout rates and a focus on pathology. Alternative approaches and coaching, often incorporating techniques like solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and Havening Techniques, offer different perspectives that can empower individuals by focusing on strengths, solutions, values, and neurobiological change. These methods may resonate more with those seeking practical tools and a collaborative relationship rather than solely exploring problems or receiving a diagnosis. Havening Techniques, in particular, address the emotional residue of traumatic experiences often linked to depression, offering a gentle way to process the past and build resilience for the future.

Depression is a widespread psychological challenge, frequently intertwined with anxiety. It can manifest as feelings of hopelessness, lack of energy, negative self-outlook, and difficulty enjoying activities. For many, depression is not merely an internal issue but is deeply connected to life experiences, social circumstances, and past trauma.

Seeking help is a crucial step, but navigating the available options can be complex. Traditional psychotherapies often focus on identifying what is perceived as “wrong” and exploring negative emotions and problems in detail. While this approach is helpful for many, some people find it challenging, leading to high dropout rates from therapy. Reasons for discontinuing therapy can include feeling misunderstood, unsupported, pressured to change before they are ready, or a mismatch between the client’s needs and the therapist’s approach. Some may also find the focus on pathology disheartening.

The limitations and challenges in traditional approaches have opened the door for alternatives, including various forms of coaching and therapies that adopt different fundamental principles. Approaches like solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) shift the focus from what is wrong to what is working, from problems to solutions, and from negative to positive emotions. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which is noted as effective for depression, aims to increase psychological flexibility by helping individuals be present with difficult feelings while moving towards valued life directions. NLP techniques are also presented as ways to help individuals get in touch with their psychology, change negative patterns, and build confidence.

These approaches often empower the individual, seeing the client as a co-expert in their own lives. They prioritise identifying strengths, resources, and existing coping mechanisms. Coaching models can readily integrate these principles, offering practical strategies and a focus on future possibilities rather than dwelling solely on past problems or deficits.

Coaching provides a helping relationship that is crucial for change and recovery. A client-centered approach, often seen in coaching, involves unconditional acceptance, empathy, and support, which can counteract feelings of demoralisation and shame often associated with depression. Rather than imposing agendas, coaches can work to understand and respect the client’s own motivation for change. This can be particularly appealing for those who have felt judged or misunderstood in previous attempts to seek help.

Furthermore, coaching can be seen as a route for those who may feel that their challenges stem from life circumstances or a desire for personal growth and performance enhancement, rather than necessarily viewing themselves as having a clinical illness. Coaching, with its emphasis on action and skill-building, aligns with the idea that change and growth remain possibilities despite past difficulties.

Havening Therapy Techniques, a psychosensory therapy,  uses simple touch, attention, and imagination to influence the brain and promote healing. It is presented as a tool that can help with a wide range of issues, including anxiety, stress, phobias, PTSD, and depression.

The technique is proposed to work by triggering electrochemical changes in the brain, specifically by promoting delta wave activity and influencing neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin. This is believed to lead to synaptic depotentiation, essentially altering how traumatic or emotionally charged memories are encoded and triggered in the brain. The aim is to de-link the emotional and physical distress from the memory, allowing it to become just another memory without its painful charge.

For individuals struggling with depression, especially where there is a history of trauma, Havening Techniques can be particularly relevant. Trauma, whether major “Big T” events or cumulative small “t” experiences, can significantly impact a person’s well-being and contribute to depression. Havening allows for the processing of these encoded traumatic memories, even those that are inaccessible or difficult to talk about. By addressing the emotional residue of these past experiences, Havening can help lift the burden carried by the individual.

The techniques can lead to feelings of lightness, confidence, and reduced stress. They can help people feel more grounded and present. Importantly, Havening can be used to address issues like suicidal ideation, which is sometimes linked to severe anxiety and depression. It’s not just about removing the negative; types of Havening like Affirmational and Hopeful Havening are used to encode positive feelings and build resilience for the future.

Havening is often described as a tool rather than a complete therapy. This means it can be integrated into various therapeutic or coaching approaches. Many practitioners, including coaches, are finding it to be a powerful adjunct that accelerates the healing process and makes traditional talk or coaching methods more effective by removing the “trauma filter”. It also offers a self-care component, as individuals can learn to self-haven to manage stress and distress in the moment.

Ultimately, seeking help for depression involves finding the right fit. The increase in people exploring options like coaching may reflect a desire for approaches that are perceived as more empowering, solution-focused, or less confined by traditional models that may not have fully met their needs. The integration of techniques like Havening offers promising avenues for addressing the deep-seated emotional and traumatic imprints that contribute to suffering, providing a pathway towards greater well-being and a more purposeful future. The importance of a supportive relationship, where the individual feels understood and respected, remains paramount, regardless of the specific approach taken.