Mood and enjoyment
Persistent sadness, emptiness, irritability, emotional numbness, loss of interest or difficulty enjoying what used to matter.
Depression and low mood
Depression therapy in Córdoba and online
Sadness is part of life, but sometimes low mood continues, interest disappears and even ordinary tasks begin to require enormous effort. Depression is not a lack of willpower and cannot be identified simply by feeling sad.
A proper assessment can help clarify what is happening, how much it is affecting daily life and what kind of support is appropriate. Sessions are available in English or Spanish, in person in Córdoba, online within Spain or in a hybrid format.
Sessions available in English and Spanish
Understand before applying a label
Sadness, low mood and depression are not the same
Sadness is a normal emotion that can follow loss, disappointment or change. Depression usually involves a persistent low, empty or irritable mood, or a clear loss of interest and pleasure, together with other changes that affect everyday life.
The World Health Organization describes symptoms occurring for most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks. You do not need to wait for an exact period before seeking help when distress is intense, there is a safety concern or ordinary functioning has become very difficult.
Common signs
What can depression feel like?
Depression is not experienced in the same way by everyone. It can affect emotions, thinking, the body, relationships and the ability to study, work or care for yourself.
Energy and functioning
Tiredness, low motivation, slowing down or feeling that getting up, studying, working and completing tasks takes too much effort.
Thoughts
Difficulty concentrating or deciding, excessive guilt, low self-worth, harsh self-criticism, worthlessness or hopelessness about the future.
Sleep, appetite and the body
Significant changes in sleep, appetite or weight, low energy or physical symptoms that may also require a medical assessment.
Relationships and self-care
Withdrawing from family or friends, abandoning activities, responsibilities, routines or basic self-care.
Safety concerns
Self-harm, thoughts about death, suicidal ideation or a previous attempt require prompt professional assessment. Indicators of current danger need urgent care.
You do not have to wait until rock bottom
When may it be helpful to seek support?
Distress continues
Low mood, irritability or apathy persists, worsens or appears very frequently.
Very little feels interesting
It is hard to enjoy activities, connect with other people or find motivation even for things that used to matter.
Daily life becomes difficult
Getting up, caring for yourself, studying, working, making decisions or meeting basic responsibilities becomes very demanding.
Isolation or hopelessness increases
Support decreases and intense guilt, worthlessness or a belief that nothing can change begins to take over.
Sleep or eating changes
Persistent changes begin to affect rest, energy, appetite, weight or physical health.
There is a safety risk
Self-harm, thoughts of death or suicide and a previous attempt need prompt attention. For a current plan or intent, an attempt in progress or a recent attempt, ingestion, poisoning, overdose, injury or when safety cannot be maintained, call 112 or go to emergency care.
Support adapted to the person
How can psychological therapy help?
The process begins by considering mood, everyday functioning, relationships, recent events, physical health, available support and any safety concerns. We can then agree on realistic and reviewable goals.
My approach is primarily cognitive behavioural, while integrating other tools when useful. The specific intervention depends on each person's needs, preferences, previous treatment and circumstances.
Reconnect with activity and meaning
Gradually return to meaningful activities and understand the cycle between inactivity, withdrawal and low mood.
Work with thoughts and rumination
Address guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, self-criticism and repetitive thinking that can maintain distress.
Solve problems and make decisions
Break large difficulties into manageable steps and regain the ability to choose and act without turning therapy into another demand.
Support routines and relationships
Rebuild sleep, self-care, social contact and communication with important people in a sustainable way.
Plan for relapse prevention
Recognise early warning signs, consolidate skills and prepare a response for future periods of greater vulnerability.
Coordinate care when needed
Recommend medical, psychiatric or specialist assessment when combined or more intensive care may be appropriate.
Clinical honesty and safety
When might other care be needed?
Severe difficulty meeting basic needs, psychotic experiences, significant suicide risk or needs requiring intensive intervention may be beyond what ordinary private outpatient therapy can safely provide. Medical, psychiatric, specialist or urgent care may then be needed.
Assessment should also consider any periods of unusually elevated or irritable energy, much less need for sleep, impulsivity or risky behaviour, because a depressive episode can occur as part of bipolar disorder and requires a different evaluation.
Córdoba and online
Depression therapy in English or Spanish
Sessions can be held in person in Córdoba, online within Spain or in a hybrid format when this is appropriate for the therapeutic process and the person's safety.
Support is available in English and Spanish. You can use the language in which it feels easier to explain your experience.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about depression therapy
These answers provide general guidance. Only an individual assessment can clarify what is happening and which care is appropriate.
01What is the difference between sadness and depression?
Sadness is often connected to a situation and can alternate with moments of relief or enjoyment. In depression, low mood or loss of interest tends to persist and affect functioning more widely. Only an assessment can distinguish this properly.
02Do I need a diagnosis before seeing a psychologist?
No. You can seek help for apathy, feeling stuck, loss of interest, withdrawal or low mood even if you do not know what to call it. The initial assessment is there to understand the difficulty.
03Can depression cause physical symptoms?
It can be associated with tiredness, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy and physical symptoms. Because these can also have medical causes, a healthcare review is sometimes advisable.
04Can psychological therapy help with depression?
There are effective psychological treatments, including behavioural activation and cognitive behavioural therapy. Support needs to be adapted to the person's situation, safety, needs and preferences.
05Will I need medication?
Not everyone does. Medication can only be prescribed and monitored by a medical professional. Some people receive psychological therapy alone, while combined care may be helpful in other situations.
06How long does therapy take?
This cannot be known before an assessment. It depends on the duration and impact of the problem, goals, support, previous treatment and response to therapy. Progress is reviewed regularly.
07Can depression therapy take place online?
Yes, when the situation, available privacy and safety make online work appropriate. Online and in-person sessions in Córdoba can also be combined.
08Can I have sessions in English?
Yes. Sessions are available in English and Spanish, both in person in Córdoba and online within Spain.
Sources and further reading
Sources and further reading
References used to prepare and review this information.
Pulso en Cauce
Finding direction can begin with a conversation.
The first session is a brief, free and no-obligation meeting to get to know each other, answer questions and consider whether this space feels right for you.