Feelings and mood
- Persistent low mood or emptiness
- No longer experiencing pleasure or interest
- Crying easily, or feeling very little at all
- Irritability or frustration
- Feelings of guilt, shame or worthlessness
Have you felt low, empty or exhausted for a long time? Perhaps almost everything takes effort, you no longer enjoy anything, or you cannot pull yourself away from negative thoughts.
Depression can affect your mood, energy, self-confidence, relationships and daily functioning. Together, we explore what keeps your symptoms going and work step by step towards recovery, resilience and a new direction.
Depression is more than a bad day or a temporary dip. Symptoms often persist for a long time and can make it difficult to work, stay connected or take good care of yourself.
Everyone feels sad, disappointed or low from time to time. These feelings are usually temporary and improve when circumstances change or when you get enough rest and support.
In depression, low mood, emptiness or the loss of interest and pleasure last longer. You may notice that ordinary daily activities require more and more effort, and that negative thoughts about yourself, the future or life are hard to let go of.
Depression affects more than your feelings. Your sleep, concentration, appetite, physical energy and contact with others can change too. The severity and combination of symptoms differ from person to person.
People with depression sometimes hear that they should simply think more positively or force themselves to be more active. Depression, however, is not a sign of weakness or insufficient effort. Recovery requires understanding, appropriate treatment and achievable steps that match what you can manage at that moment.
Depression can express itself emotionally, physically, and in your thoughts and behaviour. Not everyone experiences exactly the same symptoms.
Depression usually does not arise from a single cause. There is often a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. Life events, prolonged stress or earlier impactful experiences can also play an important role.
When your body and mind are under pressure for a long time, your energy reserves can become depleted. It then becomes increasingly difficult to recover and keep functioning well.
Loss, relationship problems, illness, financial worries or other impactful life events can contribute to the onset of depression.
Constantly thinking negatively about yourself, the future or the world can reinforce low mood and gradually reduce your confidence that change is possible.
Because of fatigue and low mood, many people do less and less. The moments that provide energy, pleasure or satisfaction then disappear as well.
Heredity, previous depressions, perfectionism, a negative self-image or traumatic experiences can increase the risk of depression.
Low mood makes you do less. As a result you experience fewer positive moments, which can deepen the low mood. In this way, depression can maintain itself.
Depression does not have to be permanent.
During the first consultation we carefully examine which factors contribute to your depressive symptoms. We look not only at your current symptoms, but also at events, stress, beliefs, habits and the influence of your environment. Based on that, we draw up a personal treatment plan together.
Treatment often consists of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), in which you learn to recognise and change negative thoughts and behavioural patterns. Techniques from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can also help you relate differently to difficult feelings and give new direction to what matters to you.
When traumatic experiences play an important role in the onset or persistence of depression, EMDR can be part of the treatment. Schema therapy can also be used when deeper, persistent patterns are involved.
Behavioural activation helps you gradually resume activities that restore energy and pleasure, at a pace that respects what you can manage.
Together we map out which factors cause and maintain your depressive symptoms.
You learn to recognise thoughts that reinforce your low mood and develop helpful, realistic ways of thinking.
We gradually build up activities, so you experience positive moments again and your energy can slowly recover.
You learn to understand your emotions better and cope with them, without them continuing to rule your daily life.
Together we strengthen your self-confidence, coping skills and daily structure, so you are better prepared for future challenges.
You learn to recognise early warning signs of relapse and develop a personal plan to keep supporting your mental health after treatment.
No two depressions are the same. That is why treatment is tailored to your symptoms, your personal situation and your goals. Together we work towards lasting recovery, so you can experience more energy, pleasure and confidence in yourself and the future.
Treatment based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), schema therapy and, where needed, EMDR.
Treatment is tailored to your symptoms, your stage of life, your personal circumstances and the pace that suits you.
Therapy is available in French, English and Arabic (Darija), with attention to your cultural and religious background when that matters to you.
You do not only learn to reduce your symptoms, but also to develop skills that prevent relapse and strengthen your resilience.
Amsterdam and online
FR · EN · AR · Darija
CBT · EMDR · ACT
Personal and goal-oriented
You do not have to keep living with depression alone. With the right treatment, you can rebuild energy, joy and confidence step by step. You are welcome for a first consultation online.
Book a consultation