The Benefits Of Depression Coaching

When somebody is experiencing depression, the choice of therapeutic approach is an important one. While older, more conventional psychotherapies have their place, Depression Coaching offers a different perspective that may be particularly beneficial for several reasons, aligning with our current understanding of what is happening within the brain.

Why Choose Depression Coaching?

Traditional psychotherapies often delve deeply into past experiences and the analysis of emotional wounds. While understanding the roots of depression can be helpful for some, depression coaching often adopts a more solution-focused and future-oriented approach. This aligns with the understanding that while past events may have contributed to current patterns, the stress and low mood felt today are generated in the present. Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), a form of coaching, explicitly aims to increase positive emotions and widen the array of thoughts and actions available to individuals. By asking questions about what the client wants to be different and focusing on previous successes and competences, depression coaching seeks to build a positive atmosphere where problems can be transformed. Unlike therapies that might focus on what is wrong, coaching often starts by exploring “How will you feel when your best hopes are met?”.

Furthermore, some sources suggest that approaches like ACT can be more effective than disputing the content of negative thoughts, which can sometimes happen in more traditional cognitive therapies. Depression coaching, particularly when informed by ACT principles, can help individuals to accept difficult thoughts and feelings rather than struggling against them, while simultaneously committing to actions aligned with their values. This can be particularly useful as going to war with anxiety or depression can often make things worse.

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), another methodology often used in coaching, offers techniques for taking control and increasing happiness by reprogramming the mind. It focuses on eliminating sources of negativity and relearning optimism. Given that habits of negativity and maladaptive neural pathways can become entrenched in depression, the direct techniques offered by NLP in a coaching context can be advantageous in creating new, more positive patterns.

What Is Happening in the Depressed Brain and How Coaching Helps

Several neurological processes are often observed in individuals experiencing depression:

• Overload and Diminished Frontal Lobe Function: When overloaded with stress, the usually brilliant frontal lobe, responsible for rational judgment and executive function, can become overwhelmed by negative emotion and function less effectively. This can lead to difficulties in making clear decisions and problem-solving, contributing to feelings of helplessness. Depression coaching directly addresses this by actively working on solutions. Solution-focused approaches stimulate the left pre-frontal cortex, the part of the brain associated with executive function and feelings of control. By guiding the individual to identify small, achievable steps towards their goals, coaching helps to reactivate and strengthen the frontal lobe’s capacity for positive action and planning.
• Entrenched Negative Thought Patterns and Neural Pathways: Depression can create and strengthen negative neural pathways and habits of negative self-talk. The internal dialogue can become critical and unsupportive. Depression coaching techniques, particularly those from NLP, directly target these patterns. By focusing on relearning optimism, improving submodalities (the qualities of our thoughts), and using techniques like pattern interruption and the swish technique, coaching helps individuals to become aware of and shift these negative internal dialogues and rewire maladaptive neural pathways. Encouraging the use of self-compassionate and helpful language can also counteract negative self-statements.
• Reduced Positive Emotion and Motivation: Depression often involves a decrease in positive emotions and a lack of motivation. The brain’s reward system may be less active. Depression coaching actively works to counteract this by focusing on desired outcomes and visualising a preferred future. Questions like “How will you celebrate your success when you have reached your goal?” encourage the individual to connect with positive feelings associated with recovery. By breaking down goals into smaller, manageable steps and celebrating small wins, coaching can help to re-engage the brain’s reward system and build momentum, fostering motivation.
• Focus on the Problem Rather Than Solutions: Traditional approaches might spend significant time analysing the problem. While understanding is important, excessive focus on the negative can inadvertently reinforce it. Depression coaching prioritises building solutions to current difficulties. By shifting the focus towards what the individual wants to achieve and identifying existing resources and strengths, coaching helps to redirect mental energy towards constructive action, rather than being stuck in rumination.
• Feelings of Powerlessness and Lack of Control: Depression can lead to a sense of being overwhelmed and lacking control. Depression coaching aims to empower the individual by placing them “in the driver’s seat”. The focus on identifying their own ideas for change and celebrating their progress reinforces a sense of agency and control over their recovery. Techniques that move problems from internal (“I am depressed”) to external (“Depression has been visiting me”) can also help to create psychological distance and a greater sense of control.

Summary of Depression Coaching

Depression coaching offers a solution-focused and action-oriented approach to overcoming low mood. By prioritising future goals, identifying existing strengths, and implementing practical techniques derived from methodologies like SFBT and NLP, it can help individuals to break free from negative thought patterns and build a more positive and fulfilling life. This approach directly addresses neurological changes associated with depression by stimulating the frontal lobe, rewiring negative pathways, increasing positive emotion, shifting focus towards solutions, and fostering a sense of control.

Tags: Depression Coaching, Solution Focused Brief Therapy, SFBT, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, NLP, ACT, Positive Psychology, Goal Setting, Motivation, Cognitive Restructuring, Future-Oriented, Empowerment.