Overcoming Depressed Mood

Prior written permission was obtained from each client on which each coaching story is based. Names and some details have been altered to preserve anonymity.

Note: names and some personal details have been changed to preserve anonymity.

Background

Paul, a 42-year-old dentist, had been experiencing a persistent depressed mood for several months. His condition led to a significant decline in productivity at work, withdrawal from social activities, and a strained relationship with his family. Despite his scepticism about psychological interventions, Paul’s growing concern about his well-being led him to seek help from me, as a clinical psychologist specialising in coaching interventions.  He reported that he found the concept of ‘coaching’ rather than ‘therapy’ more acceptable to him.

Initial Assessment

During assessment, it became apparent that Paul’s main challenges included low motivation, negative thought patterns, and a lack of coping strategies for managing stress. His sceptical view of therapy also posed a challenge for engagement and participation in the coaching process.

Intervention

  1. We began with a comprehensive assessment to understand Paul’s cognitive patterns, emotional state, and behavioural habits.
  2. Skill-building exercises: to improve Paul’s emotional regulation and stress management techniques.
  3. Cognitive restructuring: to challenge and change negative thought patterns.
  4. Goal-Setting and behavioural activation: setting realistic, relevant, and achievable goals to gradually increase Paul’s engagement in meaningful activities and social interactions.
  5. Regular progress monitoring: to adapt the intervention as needed and celebrate his successes.

Outcome

After three months, Paul reported a significant improvement in his mood and overall outlook on life. He became more active in social activities, which improved his relationships with family and friends. At work, Paul’s productivity returned to its previous levels, and he reported feeling more equipped to manage stress. Most importantly, Paul developed a more positive and resilient mindset, which he credited to the skills and strategies he learned during his coaching sessions.