Depression Treatment

Elemental Health is a multi-disciplinary clinic in Novena offering depression treatment and depression therapy for adults, teens, and families. Your care is led by psychologists and psychotherapist, working together using science-backed methodologies and life skills coaching.

The goal is simple: to help you move beyond just coping, and start living with clarity, calm and confidence.

What is Depression?

Everyone has down days. Clinical depression is different. It is persistent, affects your worldview, sleep, appetite, energy, concentration, relationships, and work, and often brings loss of interest or pleasure. In clinical terms, major depressive disorder (a depressive disorder) is diagnosed through a structured assessment that looks at severity, duration, and impact on daily life.

At Elemental Health, we screen for bipolar spectrum conditions, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, trauma history and current precipitating factors. Accurate assessment ensures treatment targets the underlying causes rather than just managing visible symptoms.

Signs and Symptoms of Depression

Persistent low mood, emptiness, or irritability
Loss of interest in usual activities
Sleep disturbance (insomnia or oversleeping)
Appetite or weight changes
Low energy or fatigue; slowed movement or restlessness
Difficulty concentrating, indecision, memory lapses
Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or hopelessness
Physical complaints without clear cause (pain, headaches, gut issues)
Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

If several of these show up most days for two weeks or more, it’s time to consider depression treatment.

Types of Depression

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)

MDD is an episode of depressed mood and/or loss of interest that lasts at least two weeks and clearly impairs daily functioning. People often report changes in sleep and appetite, low energy, poor concentration, and feelings of guilt or hopelessness. Some experience thoughts of self-harm.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

Dysthymia is a longer-lasting, lower-grade form of depression that persists for two years or more. Symptoms may be milder than MDD but over time they erode motivation, relationships, work and quality of life.

Prenatal and Postpartum Depression

Depression can begin during pregnancy (prenatal) or after delivery (postpartum). Beyond low mood, signs can include anxiety, irritability, intrusive worries, sleep disturbance beyond newborn care, and difficulty bonding.

Depression with Anxiety Features

Many people experience depression with prominent worry, restlessness, tension, and insomnia. This combination can make decision-making and follow-through harder.

Depression With a Trauma History

Trauma (single event or cumulative) can shape how depression shows up: numbness, withdrawal, hyper-arousal, nightmares, and a strong inner critic.

Treating Depression

Medication and Depression Treatment

For some patients, adding antidepressant medication alongside therapy improves outcomes. We partner with consultant psychiatrists who will explain options, expected benefits, timelines, and side effects in plain language. Medication isn’t a shortcut or a mandate; it’s one of many tools.

Therapy

Therapy at Elemental Health is warm, structured, and focused on real-life changes. We begin with psychoeducation to build self-awareness and work together to set clear, meaningful goals, such as improving sleep, energy levels, reducing avoidance or rumination, and addressing relationship stressors, while also cultivating positive emotional and mental states. From there, we choose the approach most likely to help you reach those goals. Between sessions, you’ll have small, manageable tasks to practice so that progress becomes visible in your everyday life. We regularly review your experiences and outcomes to ensure each next step is guided by both data and what’s working for you.

Our therapeutic approaches are personalized to meet each individual’s unique needs. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Together we map the patterns that keep you stuck, test unhelpful predictions in real situations, and replace avoidance with practical steps.
Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR is considered when trauma sits underneath current symptoms. After careful preparation and stabilisation, we process specific memories using structured sets of eye movements. The goal isn’t to erase the past but to reduce the intensity of present-day reactions, so you have more room to live now.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT helps when fighting feelings hasn’t worked and life is on hold. You’ll learn skills to notice difficult thoughts and sensations without being run by them, then take small steps guided by your values even on hard days. Over time, that creates more choice and movement where you feel stuck.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)

Originally developed for intense emotional dysregulation, DBT is helpful when emotions feel overwhelming or hard to manage. It combines acceptance and change strategies, teaching practical skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Over time, clients build greater emotional stability and improve their ability to navigate relationships and everyday stress.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)

IFS is a gentle yet powerful approach based on the idea that the mind is made up of distinct “parts,” each with its own voice, perspective, and intention. Often, inner conflict comes from parts trying to protect us in ways that no longer serve us. IFS helps you build a compassionate relationship with these parts, led by your core “Self,” allowing for deep emotional healing and internal harmony.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy

Mindfulness-based approaches cultivate present-moment awareness, helping you observe thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment. This can be particularly helpful for anxiety, depression, and stress-related conditions. Through mindfulness practices, you learn to respond to challenges with greater calm, clarity, and flexibility rather than reacting automatically or getting caught in mental loops.
Life Skills Coaching

Life Skills Coaching is a performance-focused approach designed to help you build clarity, efficiency, and momentum in key areas of your personal and professional life. Whether you're working on improving productivity, communication, decision-making, and goal execution; or trying to get out from a stuck zone, coaching provides structured support and accountability. The focus is on practical strategies, mindset shifts, and measurable progress so you can perform at your best, stay aligned with your values, and move forward with purpose.
Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

IPT targets the life events and relationships most tied to low mood, grief, role transitions like becoming a parent or changing jobs, conflict, or isolation. We improve communication, set workable boundaries, and map a support network that fits your reality. The aim is fewer people-stress triggers and stronger day-to-day support.
Expressive Therapy

Expressive Therapy integrates creative forms, such as sand-play, visual arts, movement or writing into the therapeutic process to support emotional exploration and personal growth. It offers a non-verbal outlet when traditional talk therapy feels limiting, allowing thoughts and feelings to emerge in new and often unexpected ways. This approach can help process complex experiences, reduce stress, and foster deeper self-awareness, regardless of artistic background or skill level.

What To Expect

Depression Therapy

Most people begin with weekly sessions for 4 to 8 weeks, gradually reducing as you gain confidence and momentum. Between sessions, you’ll focus on simple, manageable practices like improving sleep, gradually increasing activity, noting helpful thoughts, gently facing challenges, or taking small steps aligned with your values. We check in regularly to see how things are going, using both your feedback and progress to guide the next steps. This way, therapy feels like a steady, collaborative journey toward feeling better.

Anxiety Treatment

Anxiety and depression often occur together, and we provide support for a wide range of anxiety-related concerns, including Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), social anxiety, health anxiety, and panic attacks. At Elemental Health, we use evidence-based approaches to help individuals better understand their body’s stress response, reduce sensitivity to anxiety triggers through techniques such as EMDR and desensitisation, and develop practical skills to manage worry, uncertainty, and avoidance behaviours.

For some patients, adding antidepressant medication alongside therapy improves outcomes. Elemental Health partners with consultant psychiatrists who provide clear, practical explanations of your options, including benefits, timelines, and side effects. Medication isn’t a shortcut or a mandate; it’s one of many tools.

Lifestyle Changes That Support Recovery

Lifestyle changes aren’t a cure-all, but small, consistent shifts can make a meaningful difference over time. We focus on practical, sustainable adjustments that support your recovery not overwhelm you with another to-do list.

Sleep – A consistent routine, morning daylight, and a calming wind-down practice can improve both mood and rest cycles.
Movement – Gentle, realistic activity that aligns with your values not based on guilt or pressure.
Nutrition – We focus on balanced, regular meals that stabilize energy and mood. This might include exploring anti-inflammatory foods, understanding the gut-brain connection, while honoring cultural food preferences. We also look at how certain foods, alcohol, or stimulants might affect your symptoms.
Connection – Intentional time with supportive people helps reduce isolation and stress.
Structure & Support – Healthy boundaries at work and daily routines provide a sense of stability and protect your progress.

We’ll tailor these changes to fit your life so they feel like support, not obligation.

Recognizing the Difference Between Sadness and Depression

Life brings emotional ups and downs, but depression is more than a rough patch. It’s persistent, often hidden, and impacts how you live and relate to others. We work with you to identify whether it’s situational or something deeper and guide you toward recovery.

Who You’ll Work With

Clinical or Senior psychologist typically leads your care, offering therapy, assessment, and treatment planning. They use evidence-based approaches to address core issues and ensure your care is coordinated and effective.
Psychotherapist, family therapist, and counsellors help you explore emotional patterns, relationships, and life challenges, providing support for personal growth, healing, and improved family or social dynamics.
Child and adolescent clinicians specialize in supporting the emotional, social, and developmental needs of young people. They work closely with children, teens, and families, and help parents involve schools when needed to provide tailored, age-appropriate care that promotes wellbeing and addresses challenges.
Nutritionist can support appetite, energy, and gut-mood links.
Clinical coaches and corporate trainers develop work-related and interpersonal soft skills, and lead workshops and seminars to enhance professional growth.
This integrated model means your plan isn’t built around a single discipline, it’s built around your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

A psychiatrist is a medically trained doctor who can prescribe medication and manage the biological aspects of mental health. A clinical psychologist focuses on psychological assessment and therapy, using evidence-based approaches to address thought patterns, emotions, and behavior. Working with both, when needed, can offer well-rounded care.

Do I need medication?

Not always. For mild to moderate depression, therapy alone can be effective. For moderate to severe symptoms, adding antidepressants can improve outcomes. Decisions are collaborative and reviewed regularly. Elemental Health partners with consultant psychiatrists if medication is needed.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

We’ll review fit, frequency, assessments, and whether the approach targeted the right mechanism (for example, adding EMDR, addressing trauma, or adjusting pacing). Sometimes adding or switching modalities makes the difference.

Do you treat anxiety too?

Yes. We provide anxiety treatment, including desensitisation, exposure-based CBT and panic-specific care, and integrate them with your depression plan when both are present.

Is this the same as IMH care?

No. Elemental Health is a private clinic. We coordinate with public services (including IMH) when needed and direct urgent risk to emergency services.

What happens in the first session?

You’ll complete a focused assessment, set goals, and leave with a clear plan. If a medication review is appropriate, we’ll arrange it.

Can you work with teens?

Yes. Our child and adolescent clinicians provide age-appropriate assessment and therapy, with parental involvement where helpful and consented.

Do you offer groups or support options?

We periodically run support groups and skill-based classes. Ask about current availability.

Every situation is different. Reach out and let us know how we can support you

Safety and urgent help

This page provides general information only and isn’t a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you are in immediate danger, call 995 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. For crisis support, contact Samaritans of Singapore (1767, 24/7) or the IMH Mental Health Helpline (6389 2222).