How we help
Depression Treatment Gold Coast
Depression is more than feeling flat for a few days. It is a persistent low mood, a loss of interest and pleasure in things that used to matter, and a heaviness that can make ordinary tasks feel enormous. Many people describe it as being cut off - from motivation, from other people, and from a sense of who they used to be.
Our Clinical Psychologists at MindTree Psychology in Mermaid Beach work with adults, adolescents and families across the Gold Coast experiencing low mood, burnout, postnatal depression, depression alongside chronic illness, and long-standing patterns of hopelessness. Depression responds well to psychological treatment, and reaching out is often the hardest step.
Signs and symptoms
Depression affects mood, thinking, the body and behaviour. You might notice some of the following, most days, over at least two weeks:
- Persistently low, empty or numb mood, or increased irritability
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities, hobbies or relationships you used to enjoy
- Withdrawing from friends, family and social contact
- Fatigue and low energy, even after rest
- Changes in sleep - broken sleep, early waking, or sleeping far more than usual
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty concentrating, remembering things or making decisions
- Harsh self-criticism, guilt, or feeling like a burden
- A sense of hopelessness about the future
- Thoughts of death or self-harm
How therapy helps
Depression tends to feed on itself. Low energy leads to doing less, doing less means fewer moments of connection or satisfaction, and that confirms the belief that nothing helps. Therapy works on both ends of that loop - re-engaging with life in small, achievable ways, and addressing the thinking patterns and older beliefs underneath.
Treatment at MindTree is individually tailored. Your psychologist will draw on the approaches that best fit your circumstances, history and goals.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Identifying the automatic thoughts and interpretations that maintain low mood, examining them carefully, and developing fairer, more workable ways of seeing yourself and your situation.
Behavioural activation
A structured, well-evidenced approach that rebuilds momentum by gradually reintroducing activities that bring a sense of pleasure, achievement or connection - starting small enough to be genuinely doable.
Schema therapy
For depression with deeper roots, schema therapy looks at long-standing patterns formed early in life - such as defectiveness, failure or self-sacrifice - and works to shift them rather than manage them indefinitely.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Helps you loosen the grip of self-critical thinking and reconnect with your values, so that action becomes possible even before the mood has fully lifted.
What to expect at MindTree
- An initial session focused on understanding your experience, your history and what has already been tried, without judgement.
- A collaborative treatment plan with realistic, concrete steps - not a lecture about thinking positively.
- Close attention to safety and wellbeing, with a clear plan in place if you are having thoughts of self-harm.
- Coordination with your GP or psychiatrist where helpful, so that psychological and medical care work together.
- A quiet, comfortable consulting room at Mermaid Plaza - and telehealth options for days when getting out the door is too much.
Frequently asked questions
Can therapy help if I am already taking antidepressant medication?
Yes. Psychological therapy and medication work well together, and combined treatment is often more effective than either alone. With your consent, we are happy to liaise with your GP or psychiatrist so your care is coordinated.
What if I do not feel motivated enough to start therapy?
Low motivation is a symptom of depression, not a sign that therapy will not work. Behavioural activation is specifically designed for this - we start with steps small enough to be achievable on a difficult day and build from there.
How do I know whether it is depression or just a rough patch?
A useful guide is duration and impact: if low mood and loss of interest have persisted most days for two weeks or more and are affecting work, relationships or self-care, it is worth having an assessment. An initial consultation can clarify what is happening.
Speak with our team about depression
Our reception team can help you find the right psychologist and a time that suits you.