Depression Support In Singapore
Depression is more than feeling sad or going through a difficult time. It’s a mental health condition that can affect how you think, feel, and manage your daily life.
At Us Therapy, we support you in understanding what you are experiencing and in finding a way forward at your own pace.
What is depression?
Depression is a mental health condition that can affect your mood, thoughts, and daily functioning. It can impact your relationships, work, and overall quality of life.
Depression is not a sign of weakness. You cannot simply push through it. It is a recognised condition that responds to the right understanding, support, and treatment.
Signs and symptoms of depression
Depression can affect people in different ways. You may notice changes like everyday tasks or emotions feeling more difficult to manage than usual.
Some common signs include:
- Persistent feelings of sadness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Loss of interest or enjoyment in activities you once valued
- Ongoing fatigue or low energy levels
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping, including insomnia or sleeping more than usual
- Challenges with concentration, thinking, or decision-making
- Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
- Increased irritability or restlessness
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide ideation
If you recognise some of these signs in yourself, it may be your mind and body signalling that you need some additional support. Reaching out can help you understand your feelings and learn ways of managing them.
Signs of depression in children
Depression in children may not look the same as it does in adults. Instead of expressing sadness directly, children often show changes through their behaviour and emotions.
Some common signs include:
- Increased irritability, anger, or frustration
- Changes in school performance, such as difficulty focusing or a drop in grades
- Physical complaints, like headaches or stomach aches, without a clear medical cause
- Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they previously enjoyed
- Heightened sensitivity to rejection or criticism
- Clinginess, worry, or increased fearfulness
Children may not always have the words to describe how they feel. Their distress is often expressed through behaviour, physical symptoms, or emotional reactions. Through appropriate support, we can help children learn to understand their emotions and feel safer expressing what they are going through.
What causes depression?
Depression doesn’t have a single cause. It often develops from a combination of biological, environmental, and physical health factors. Understanding what may be contributing to how you feel can help your understanding of why you feel the way you do.
Biological factors
Depression can be linked to biological processes in the body. Some people may have a higher vulnerability due to genetics, meaning it can run in families.
Changes in brain chemistry and hormones can also affect how you feel and function. These changes can influence mood, energy levels, and emotional regulation.
Common biological factors include:
- Neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the body) such as serotonin and dopamine, which help regulate mood
- Hormonal changes related to pregnancy, puberty, or menopause
- Thyroid conditions or hormonal imbalances
These factors can affect how your brain processes emotions, which may make it harder to manage stress or maintain a stable mood.
Environmental factors
Your life experiences and surroundings can influence the development of depression. Ongoing stress and difficult life events can have a lasting impact on your emotional wellbeing.
Common contributing factors include:
- Financial stress or work-related pressure
- Relationship challenges or conflict
- Major life changes, such as bereavement, divorce, or job loss
- Social isolation or a lack of support
Medical conditions
Your physical health can also influence your mental health. Living with certain conditions or taking specific medications may contribute to depressive symptoms.
Examples include:
- Long-term conditions, such as cancer, heart disease, or diabetes
- Medications that affect mood, including some blood pressure or hormonal treatments
Understanding these factors can help you make sense of what you are experiencing. It also allows us to tailor care that is relevant to your situation, so you can begin to feel more balanced and supported.
When to seek support for depression
You may consider seeking support if you notice changes that are ongoing or beginning to affect your daily life.
Some signs to look out for include:
- Experiencing symptoms such as fatigue, low mood, hopelessness, or thoughts about death for more than two weeks
- Finding it harder to manage work, school, or relationships
- Withdrawing or distancing yourself from family and friends
- Using substances such as alcohol or drugs to cope
- Having thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you notice these changes, don’t be afraid to reach out for support. With the right care, you can stop your emotions from becoming overwhelming and start a path towards feeling emotionally balanced again. You are not alone; we have helped many people with feelings of depression over the years.
Managing depression
There are different ways to manage depression, and what works for you may depend on your individual experience. A combination of professional support and small, consistent changes can make a meaningful difference over time.
The most important thing you can do is to reach out for support. The Us Therapy clinicians can assess you and co-care with other health professionals, if appropriate.
Contact us now to explore approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), which helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns.
Depression treatment with Us Therapy (Singapore)
You are not alone in what you are experiencing. At Us Therapy, our experienced clinicians work with you to understand your needs and explore the right path forward.
Take the first step and contact us to book your appointment.
FAQs about depression
Sadness is a normal emotional response that usually passes with time. It is often linked to a specific situation and does not significantly affect how you function day to day.
Depression is more persistent. It can last for weeks or longer and may affect multiple areas of your life. You may not always identify a clear cause, and it can make managing work, relationships, and responsibilities feel more difficult. If these feelings continue and begin to interfere with your life, it may be helpful to seek support.
Anxiety is often linked to ongoing worry or fear, usually focused on future situations. You may notice physical symptoms, such as restlessness or a racing heart.
Depression is more commonly linked to persistent low mood and a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed. It can also involve fatigue, changes in appetite, and withdrawal from daily life. Some people experience both depression and anxiety at the same time, which is why a professional assessment can help clarify what you are going through.
Our Therapists
Therapy Approaches
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
CBT helps you identify and challenge your negative thoughts and behaviours to improve your mood and functioning.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
A focus on improving relationship skills and discussing and addressing interpersonal issues that can trigger or maintain depression
Psychodynamic Therapy
A therapy approach that explores unconscious conflicts and past experiences to help individuals comprehend and address underlying emotional struggles that contribute to depression.
What To Expect
Treatment for depression will significantly depend on the individual. It can include:
- Therapy: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), or Psychodynamic Therapy
- Lifestyle support: Sleep care, exercise, nutrition, social support
- Medication & Collaborative Care: Antidepressants (alongside therapy). Please note that Us Therapy does not provide prescriptions and medication. You will have to seek guidance from a psychiatrist. However, we are happy to work along with your psychiatrist, GPs and anyone else aiding your care to provide the best treatment plan for you.
Initial Consultation – A Space to Be Heard
The first session is all about getting to know you. It is a conversation—one where you can share what is been on your mind, what has been feeling difficult, and what you would like support with. Your therapist will ask questions about your background, experiences, and goals, but there is no pressure to answer any questions—just a safe space to begin.
Questionnaires & Onboarding Surveys – Understanding the Full Picture
To help tailor therapy to your needs, you may be asked to fill out some brief questionnaires before or after your first session. These can give insight into things like mood, stress levels, relationship patterns, or coping strategies. They are not tests—just tools to help your therapist understand how best to support you.
Individual Therapy Sessions – Your Journey at Your Own Pace
Each session is a step forward in your journey. Therapy is not just about talking—it is about discovering new ways to navigate life’s challenges, make sense of emotions, and feel like you are getting the most out of your life. Depending on your needs, sessions may focus on:
- Exploring patterns of thought and behavior
- Understanding past experiences and their impact on the present
- Developing practical coping tools
- Strengthening emotional resilience
Feedback Sessions – Reflecting and Adjusting
After the first few sessions (or after assessments), a feedback session provides space to reflect on how therapy is going. This is a chance to talk about what has been helpful, what you would like more of, and how therapy can continue to best serve you.
Intervention – The Heart of Therapy
Intervention is where meaningful change happens. Every therapy journey is unique, and the approach will be shaped around what works best for you. Some common approaches include:
🌱 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helping to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns, reduce anxiety, and develop healthier ways to cope and new patterns of behaviour.
🧠 Schema Therapy – Deep, transformational work to uncover long-standing patterns that might be keeping you stuck, often rooted in early life experiences.
💙 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) – Learning to handle difficult emotions with self-compassion and move towards what truly matters in life.
🌊 Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) – A powerful approach for healing trauma and distressing memories, helping the brain reprocess them in a way that feels less overwhelming.
🧘 Mindfulness-Based Approaches – Building self-awareness, grounding techniques, and ways to manage stress and emotions with greater ease.
Recovery takes time, but many people see significant improvements within a few weeks to months.
Fees
Individual Counselling Rates
Clinician type
Fees and Duration
Clinic Founder
$325
Principal Psychologist
$305
Senior Clinical Psychologist
$277
Educational Psychologist
$277
Clinical Psychologist
$251
Senior Counsellor
$251
Counsellor
$185
Associate Counsellor
$120
Phone calls / Emails
Clinicians rate pro-rata (10 Mins)
FAQs About Depression
What are 5 coping skills for depression?
Exercising, journaling, talking to someone, setting small goals, and practising mindfulness.
How do I know if I am depressed?
Some signs include fatigue, persistent sadness, loss of interest, and changes in appetite and/or sleep. Consider seeing a professional for a proper diagnosis.
Can I live a normal life with depression?
Yes, of course! With the right treatment, support, and coping strategies, many lead fulfilling lives
Is depression the same as feeling sad?
No, sadness is seen as temporary, whereas depression is intense, long-lasting and significantly impairs functioning.
Can I still work/go to school with depression?
Yes! Many with depression go to school and/or work. However, if your symptoms are severe, your care team may suggest adjustments, like fewer hours or time off, to aid your treatment.
Is depression curable?
While Major Depressive Disorder cannot be fully cured, it is highly treatable. With the correct support, the symptoms can be managed and help prevent the individual’s episodes in the future. Some people experience one episode, while others manage it as a chronic condition.