Depression Counselling
in Belfast,
Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationships and more.
Providing Services
over 30+ Years
Introduction
Recognising the Signs and Impact of Depression
Depression is something many of us experience at some point in our lives, often as a natural response to loss or difficult events. However, when depression becomes more persistent, it can deeply affect our energy, concentration, and ability to function. It can leave us feeling drained, disconnected, and overwhelmed, making even daily tasks feel impossible. Thoughts of worthlessness and hopelessness often accompany depression, impacting our mood, behavior, and sense of self. Although depression can feel isolating and all-consuming, with the right support, individuals can find ways to regain control, rebuild their energy, and move toward healing.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Key Information
The Struggles of Living with Depression
People with depression may struggle to get out of bed in the morning, eat well, sleep well, and be well. Individuals feel sad, anxious, or apathetic. Their whole body may feel sluggish; indeed, the person may experience deep fatigue and low self-esteem. There is a loss of interest in usual activities or in their social life, and the individual may begin to retreat or isolate themselves from life. This loss of interest in living may accelerate into suicidal and self-harming thoughts. For some, depression may be linked to unresolved trauma, making it even more challenging to cope. Talking through your concerns and worries with a non-judgmental therapist can be a huge help at such a distressing time.
- Postgraduate Diploma in the Psychodynamics
- Certificate in Hakomi Body Centred Psychotherapy
- EMDR Level 1 and 2
- Registered Member of the British (BACP)
- I work to BACP’s code of ethics for good practice
- I hold a M.Sc in Guidance and Counselling (University of Ulster)
Depression Counselling can help with
Depression counselling provides a safe space to explore the underlying causes of your feelings, helping you understand how depression affects your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Through therapy, you can gain new perspectives, develop coping strategies, and work towards rebuilding your sense of self-worth and hope. Counselling helps create a supportive environment where you can process your emotions, challenge negative thought patterns, and develop healthier ways to manage the symptoms of depression. With the right guidance, individuals can learn to cope better with their depression and move toward healing.
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Identifying Triggers and Root Causes
Depression counselling helps you uncover the factors contributing to your depression, whether they're related to past trauma, ongoing stress, or current life circumstances.
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Developing Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Therapy offers strategies to manage overwhelming emotions and stress, helping you create healthier habits and respond more effectively to difficult situations.
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Improving Self-Esteem and Confidence
Depression often leads to feelings of worthlessness, but counselling helps you challenge negative self-beliefs, rebuild self-esteem, and regain confidence in yourself.
The Process
Uncovering the Underlying Causes of Depression
In depression counselling, one of the first steps is to identify the triggers or underlying causes that contribute to your depressive feelings. These might stem from past trauma, unresolved emotional pain, ongoing stress, or even biological factors. It’s common for individuals to feel overwhelmed without understanding why they’re struggling, but through therapy, you can explore the deeper issues at play. By uncovering these root causes, you gain a clearer understanding of your depression, and this awareness can help break the cycle of negative emotions. Understanding why you feel the way you do is the first step toward meaningful change and recovery.
Equipping You with Tools to Manage Depression
One of the core benefits of depression counselling is learning how to develop healthier coping mechanisms. Depression can often leave individuals feeling helpless or stuck in negative thought cycles, but with the right guidance, you can begin to change how you respond to life’s challenges. Therapy offers various techniques—such as cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness practices, and relaxation exercises—that help individuals manage overwhelming emotions and stress more effectively. By practicing these tools, you can break free from unhealthy coping patterns like isolation, self-criticism, or avoidance, and learn new ways to navigate difficult emotions. Over time, these healthier coping strategies can reduce the intensity of depressive symptoms and foster long-term emotional resilience.
Healing Negative Self-Perceptions
Depression often brings with it feelings of worthlessness, self-doubt, and diminished self-esteem. These negative beliefs can make it difficult to take care of yourself or pursue the things that bring you joy. Depression counselling focuses on helping you challenge these harmful thought patterns and rebuild your self-worth. Through guided conversations, self-reflection, and cognitive restructuring, you’ll learn to see yourself more compassionately and develop confidence in your abilities. By changing how you view yourself, you can begin to heal from the effects of depression and move forward with a stronger, healthier sense of self. Over time, as you build up your self-esteem, you’ll be able to engage more fully in life and feel empowered to create the changes you desire.
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
Would you like to explore your mental health wellbeing? Reach out today to start your journey towards healing and personal growth with a compassionate, professional counsellor by your side.
Other Services
Other areas of Counselling,
see how I can help
Counselling offers support for a wide range of challenges, providing a safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, or trauma, therapy helps you understand your experiences and work towards positive change.
It can also address issues like workplace stress, relationship challenges, or personal growth. Whatever you’re facing, counselling provides tools and guidance to build resilience and move forward with clarity and confidence.
- Workplace Anxiety
- Childhood Trauma
- Depression
- Social Anxiety
- Relationship Breakdown
- Grief Support
- Self-Esteem Struggles
- Nature-Based Therapy
- EMDR for Healing
- Body Image & Eating
Every journey starts with a first step, make yours today.
I offer flexible counselling options, including both in-person and remote sessions, allowing you to choose the format that best fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
In-person Sessions
In-person counselling provides a unique opportunity for connection and support in a comfortable environment. Meeting face-to-face allows for deeper emotional exchange and fosters a strong therapeutic relationship. Together, we’ll create a safe space to explore your challenges and work towards healing in a supportive atmosphere.
Remote Options
Remote counselling allows you to connect from home via phone or the video platform Zoom. This flexible option makes it easy to fit sessions into your schedule while ensuring meaningful therapeutic conversations in a convenient setting.
Client reviews
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Depression
"I lost my relationship and my job and was at an all time low, I had gone to see many counsellors, many of whom didn’t help me. Jean did. She was real with me, she listened, she recognised my pain, I felt she was with me in my pain and wasn’t scared of it. Quite simply I wouldn’t have turned my life around without her. She was only one I could trust and who gave me the care and support I needed."
J, 54
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Depression
"I was scared going to my first counselling session but Jean was warm, welcoming and professional. She put me at ease and I was able to say things to her that I had never told anyone before. I was able to understand my behaviour and my pain so much more and to gradually change my life. I was able to put old ghosts to rest and enjoy my life again."
B, 39
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Anxiety
"Going to counselling was so helpful. I was really anxious, couldn’t concentrate, couldn’t settle, was wakening up every night and felt so vulnerable. I felt I had lost everything and didn’t know where to turn. Through being listened to and heard, I came to understand some of why I was behaving the way I was and through Jean’s gentle probing I was able to look at my attitudes and behaviour and see how it was making things worse. I am so grateful that I had the courage to pick up the phone and make an appointment. Money well spent."
A, 41
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Anxiety
"I have had many problems through out my life and seeing Jean has been a lifesaver for me. I never thought I could change my life around in the way I have. Counselling was painful at times, looking at things that had happened in the past, but Jean supported me and was my ally during this process. She allowed me to express my painful emotions, give me hope that I could survive and I did."
L, 60
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Body Centred Psychotherapy
"Jean really helped me to feel my emotions, I had cut off from my body and was living in my head. I was just like an automaton, going through the emotions. My relationship had broken down and I was devastated. Jean sat with me and gradually I was able to come into my body and to feel again and eventually connect with friends again and not feel so alone or separate. Jean allowed me to feel safe enough to feel some of my emotions and to feel my fears. I never felt judged, I felt heard and valued and gradually came to believe again that it was safe enough for me to speak what I was feeling and that I could survive what I had experienced. "
K, 53
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Couple Counselling
"I feel excellent progress has been made in our relationship and wish I had considered the counselling earlier. Although difficult and painful at times, having a neutral and honest assessment of our needs was extremely beneficial "
J, 33
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Couple Counselling
"Jean is such a good counsellor, she gives an excellent service. We had just got civil partnered and thought it would be the happiest days of our lives, but we were struggling in our relationship. Though counselling we learned how to sort out our differences without hurting each other and we have grown closer together. We would go and see Jean if the need arises but we are able to talk things out now and realise how we wind up each other. We are now practicing how to put what we have learned into practice. Thank you"
M, 36 and D, 38
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Couple Counselling
"My husband and I still loved each other but couldn’t find a way through. We had stopped communicating with each other and were living separate lives and were pretty much done. For the sake of the children we thought we would go and see a counsellor. We went to see Jean and it really helped us, we got to understand at a deeper level what the problems were, how we had stopped supporting each other and most importantly how to fix. We are still married and the children are thriving."
E, 39 and W, 43
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Food and Body Image
"I hated my body and went to see Jean to lose weight. I got so much more than that. I was surprised at what I found out. I got to understand why I was eating and how food was an emotional crutch for me and how it was easier to hate my body and myself, rather than deal with some of the hateful and horrible things that had happened to me in my life."
C, 44
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Food and Body Image
"My life looked perfect on the outside but had crumbled on the inside. I was feeling desperate and just couldn’t cope any more. I was binge eating and hating myself. It was a long and tough journey but with Jean’s knowledge, skills and understanding I have stopped striving for the perfect life and the perfect me. Instead I have opened up to friends and family and am much happier."
S, 34
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Nature
"Jean has a real gift to connect with people and to understand them. I had tried talking to other therapists and it hadn’t helped. When I spoke to Jean she understood this and suggested that we see each other outside and and be in nature. I found this so healing and less intimidating. It allowed me to feel my breath, to feel my legs, to feel the earth beneath me, I felt less alone. Jean and nature helped soothe me and allowed me to heal"
T, 53
Jean McMinn Therapy
Counselling & Psychotherapy in Belfast Holywood - Counselling for Anxiety, Stress, Depression, Self-esteem, Trauma, Grief and Loss, Work Stress, Couples and Relationship and more.
Bangor - Cultra - Newtownards - Carrickfergus - Belfast City Centre - Donaghadee - Lisburn - Dundonald - Groomsport - Larne - Cookstown - Omagh - Gortin - Carrickmore - Pomeroy in Co Tyrone - Derry - Monaghan - Holywood - Comber