The staff is all university trained counsellors and psychologist, knowledgeable and experienced in treating a mental condition that can be debilitating. However, they can help only if people seek help. Often, those suffering from depression do not know when it is time to for help. Friends and family members can be very helpful if they recognize the signs and encourage the individual to attend counseling.

According to the staff at Professional Counselling & Coaching Services, the time to seek counseling is now if you or a loved one is experiencing the following symptoms longer than a few weeks.

1. A lessening of interest in one’s usual daily activities.
2. Suffocating sadness accompanied by spontaneous weeping.
3. Over eating or loss of appetite.
4. Extreme fatigue.
5. Difficulty concentrating on tasks.
6. Confusion and forgetfulness.
7. Difficulty even getting out of the bed in the morning.
8. Suicidal thoughts or just wishing you did not have to be here anymore.
9. Anger and self-pity may accompany depression.
10. Personal grooming becomes too much trouble.

One question to ask yourself is “Would I feel happy and content if my life was perfect?” Be honest. If you had all the money you wanted, looked the way you wanted and treated perfectly by others would you then feel happiness? If the answer is “no” then it is time to seek counselling.

The counsellors at Professional Counselling & Coaching Services understand the symptoms depressed people are experiencing. They create an atmosphere of safety and caring so patients can relax and share their struggles. Family members will be benefit from counselling too as the specialists offer techniques to help deal with depression in their family. Counsellors will stress that there is no shame in mental illness. There are any number of causes from genetic chemical imbalance in the brain, personal emotional trauma, brain injury and more. They want patients to understand that what they are feeling is real and needs real treatment.

It is true that medication can be very helpful in dealing with depression. The staff at Professional Counselling & Coaching Services knows that medication is only part of the answer. Personal one on one professional counselling will walk patients systematically through the process to recovery.

Professional Counselling & Coaching Services operates out of three clinics in Brisbane. One in Stones Corner, one in Newmarket and the third in Auchenflower. Their clinic hours are set up to accommodate the schedules of their patients. Their practice affiliates with professional organizations including the Australian Counselling Association; Australian Psychology Society; Social Education Association of Australia; Australian Association of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and the International Institute of Complementary Therapists.

The motto of Professional Counselling & Coaching Services is “caring and confidential, personal, family and relationship counselling”