Depression Therapist Melbourne: Signs You Need Support and What to Expect in Somatic Depression Therapy

Depression rarely arrives loudly.
More often, it settles quietly into the body.

As a Depression Somatic Therapist, Sound Therapist and Integrative Dietitian working with depression in Melbourne, I see many people who delay seeking support because they are still functioning. Working. Caring. Showing up.

Yet inside, their body feels heavy, flat, tired or disconnected.

Depression is not just a mood.
It is a whole body experience.

Common Signs You May Need Support for Depression

Depression does not look the same for everyone. You do not need to feel hopeless or unable to get out of bed to benefit from therapy.

You may want to consider support if you notice:

• Persistent fatigue or heaviness in the body
• Feeling flat, numb or emotionally muted
• Loss of motivation or joy
• Disconnection from yourself or others
• Brain fog or slowed thinking
• Changes in sleep or appetite
• A sense of shutdown or withdrawal
• Anxiety alongside low mood
• Your body feels stuck, tense or collapsed

These are not character flaws or weaknesses. They are nervous system signals.

Why Depression Is Felt in the Body

Depression is often the result of a nervous system that has been under prolonged stress.

When stress or emotional load continues without enough safety or resolution, the body may move into a conservation state. This is a biological response designed to protect and preserve energy.

In this state, the body may reduce:

• Energy output
• Emotional range
• Motivation
• Digestive and hormonal efficiency
• Engagement with the world

This is why depression cannot be fully addressed through mindset alone.

The nervous system needs support.

What Is Somatic Depression Therapy

Somatic depression therapy is a body based approach that works directly with the nervous system rather than focusing only on thoughts or behaviour.

Instead of asking you to talk your way out of depression, we listen to what your body is communicating and support it to move toward regulation and vitality again.

In my work, somatic therapy for depression focuses on:

• Restoring a felt sense of safety
• Gently bringing energy back into the body
• Supporting emotional processing without overwhelm
• Increasing body awareness and connection
• Helping the nervous system come out of shutdown

This happens gradually and respectfully, at the pace your system can tolerate.

What to Expect in Somatic Depression Therapy Sessions

Sessions are calm, grounded and tailored to you.

Depending on your needs, sessions may include:

• Nervous system education so you understand what is happening in your body
• Somatic awareness and tracking of physical sensation
• Breath based regulation
• Gentle movement to support energy flow
• Sound therapy to support nervous system settling
• Nutritional guidance when biology is contributing to low mood
• Integration and reflection

There is no pressure to relive past experiences or explain everything intellectually.

We work with what your body is ready to process.

The Role of Sound Therapy in Depression Support

Sound therapy is especially supportive for depression because it works below the level of thought.

Sound and vibration can:

• Gently stimulate a shut down nervous system
• Support emotional release without verbal processing
• Improve sleep and relaxation
• Increase body awareness and presence
• Create a sense of internal spaciousness

Sound therapy is used intentionally as part of an integrated approach, not as a standalone experience.

Nutrition and Depression Are Closely Linked

As an Integrative Dietitian, I always consider the biological foundations of depression.

Low mood and fatigue are often influenced by:

• Blood sugar instability
• Inadequate protein intake
• Mineral and micronutrient depletion
• Gut inflammation
• Hormonal changes
• Chronic stress load

Nutritional support helps create the physiological stability needed for therapy to be effective and sustainable.

Why a Body Based Approach Is So Effective for Depression

Depression is not something to push through.

When therapy works with the nervous system rather than against it, the body can gradually re engage with life.

As regulation improves, people often notice:

• Increased energy
• Greater emotional range
• Improved sleep
• Clearer thinking
• A sense of connection returning
• More capacity to engage with work and relationships

These changes happen because the body is no longer conserving energy for survival.

Finding a Depression Therapist in Melbourne

If you are looking for a depression therapist in Melbourne who works holistically with the body, nervous system and biology, somatic therapy offers a deeply supportive pathway.

You do not need to wait until things feel unbearable to seek support.



Ready to Take the Next Step towards a More Integrated you?

If you feel that your body and nervous system are asking for support, I invite you to book a somatic depression therapy session.

Together, we work gently and effectively to support your system back toward balance and vitality.

Book your somatic therapy session here

Sending love,
Anca Vereen

Somatic Therapist, Sound Therapist, Integrative Dietitian