Working with Depression

This workshop will attempt to grapple with these complexities, and ask why such a common and potentially devastating ‘disorder’ has not been eliminated by natural selection.

We will explore how primary origins in childhood adversity manifest in the threat (polyvagal) and stress (cortisol) responses that regulate our reaction to psychosocial and physical challenges. The resulting habitual defensive responses are associated with a wide range of rigid patterns that govern the sense of self-and-other, and the experience of relationships; that cement shame, guilt, grief or anxiety in place, while inhibiting/repressing other feelings such as anger, curiosity or aliveness.

What makes working with depressed clients particularly demanding is that trust, hope and flexibility are at a premium. In the next part of the workshop, we will explore some ways of intervening in these rigid patterns through creative approaches such as parts work, body work and art therapy. This can allay the deepening of the depression and assist in developing therapeutic cooperation, thus clearing the way to address some of the deeper childhood issues.