“I’m not sad exactly. I just feel flat. Nothing seems worth the effort any more.”
That’s how a lot of people describe depression when they first sit down with me. It isn’t always tears or obvious sadness. Often it’s a heaviness, a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, and a tiredness that sleep doesn’t fix.
I’m Andy Griffiths, a psychotherapist and clinical hypnotherapist in Glasgow. I work with depression every day, very often alongside anxiety, and this guide explains how I work with it and what to expect.
What depression can feel like
- Feeling low, flat or empty for most of the day, most days
- Losing interest in things you used to enjoy
- Tiredness and low energy, even after rest
- Sleeping much more or much less than usual
- Changes in appetite
- Finding it hard to concentrate or make decisions
- Feeling guilty, worthless or like a burden
- Pulling back from friends, family or work
Everyone’s experience is different, and you don’t need to tick every box. If several of these have been with you for a couple of weeks or more, it’s worth talking to someone.
Depression and anxiety together
Many of the people I see have both. Anxiety wears you out, and when you’re worn out it’s easier to slip into low mood. Low mood then makes the worries feel bigger. It becomes a loop. I work on both sides of that loop together, rather than treating them as two separate problems. If anxiety is the bigger part for you, my anxiety therapy page explains more.
How I work with depression
I don’t rely on a single method. Depression shows up differently for everyone, so I combine approaches and use what suits you:
- Psychotherapy. Talking things through properly, at your pace, to understand what has led you here and what keeps it going.
- Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis helps you feel calm and settled, and gives the mind a chance to rest from constant low thoughts. From there it becomes easier to take in new ways of thinking and feeling.
- NLP and reframing. A reframing method I use helps you look at your situation from a different place, so the harsh inner voice loses some of its grip.
- Practical steps. Small, realistic changes to sleep, routine and daily life that help you build momentum between sessions.
I also give clients hypnotherapy recordings to listen to at home, so the work carries on between sessions.
When other help hasn’t worked
Some people come to me after trying NHS talking therapy, CBT or counselling, or after a long time on a waiting list. If that’s you, it doesn’t mean you can’t get better. Often it means you haven’t found the approach or the therapist that fits you yet. My article on what to do when CBT hasn’t worked covers this in more detail.
What to expect
- A free consultation first. A free 20 minute conversation, in person at Orchard Park in Carmyle, by phone or on Zoom. There’s no pressure to book anything afterwards.
- Going at your pace. When you’re low, even getting to an appointment can feel like a lot. We keep things manageable.
- Number of sessions. This varies from person to person. We’ll talk honestly about it at the start and review how things are going as we go.
- Cost. Sessions start from £70. You can read more about what hypnotherapy costs in Glasgow.
Common questions
Can hypnotherapy help with depression?
Hypnotherapy on its own is rarely the whole answer for depression, which is why I combine it with psychotherapy, NLP and reframing. Used together, many people find their mood lifts, their energy returns and they start doing the things they had stopped doing. I can’t promise a particular result, and I’d be wary of anyone who does.
Should I stop taking my antidepressants?
Please don’t change or stop any medication without speaking to your GP first. Therapy can work alongside medication, and many of the people I see are taking antidepressants.
What if I have anxiety and depression together?
That’s very common, and it’s a large part of the work I do. The two often feed each other, so we work on both rather than treating them as separate problems.
Do I need a diagnosis first?
No. You don’t need to have seen your GP or have a diagnosis to book a free consultation. I would still encourage you to let your GP know how you’re feeling.
Can we work online?
Yes. Sessions work over Zoom and cost the same as in person.
If you need help right now
If you’re having thoughts of ending your life or feel unable to keep yourself safe, please don’t wait for a therapy appointment. Call NHS 24 on 111, contact your GP, or call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time. Breathing Space is also there to talk on 0800 83 85 87. In an emergency, call 999.
From clients
“He spent time explaining the process and the reason I was feeling the way I was.”
“Andy has been a great help in getting me back to a better place mentally.”
“…after two sessions I’m starting to feel much better & myself again.”
Shared from our Google reviews, rated 5.0 by over 160 clients. Read them on Google
Book a free consultation
If you’ve been feeling flat, low or not like yourself for a while, you don’t have to wait until it gets worse. The first step is a free 20 minute consultation, in person at Orchard Park in Carmyle, by phone or on Zoom.
You can read more about hypnotherapy in Glasgow, book your free consultation, or call 0141 340 9870.