Topic
Depression
Resources for working with low mood, motivation, behavioural activation, and the cognitive patterns that maintain depression.
Reviewed by Grounded Scribe ·
Each psychoeducation page is checked against current Australian source authorities (RANZCP, APS, AASW, OT Australia, Beyond Blue, Headspace, Black Dog Institute) and updated at least annually.
Depression is more than sadness — it is a pattern of thought, feeling, body, and behaviour that tends to feed itself. The handouts below give clients ways to notice and interrupt the thinking patterns that keep depression going, plus the structural building blocks (sleep, behavioural activation, goals) that recovery rests on.
Handouts in this topic
Thought Record Worksheet
A CBT tool for identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts.
The CBT Triangle: Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors
Learn how thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and how changing one can affect the others.
SMART Goals Worksheet
Set effective goals using the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
Sleep Hygiene Checklist
Evidence-based practices for improving sleep quality naturally.
The Grief Process
Understanding that grief is not linear and doesn't follow strict stages.
Locus of Control
Understanding whether you believe outcomes are within your control (internal) or determined by external forces (external).
Frequently asked questions
When should depression be referred for clinical care?+
In Australia, persistent low mood with functional impact, suicidal ideation, or symptoms lasting more than two weeks usually warrants assessment by a GP, psychologist, or psychiatrist. A Mental Health Treatment Plan via a GP opens access to subsidised psychology sessions under Better Access.
How do these resources fit alongside medication?+
Psychoeducation and skills work complement pharmacological treatment; they are not a replacement and the choice is up to the prescribing clinician. Sleep, thought records, and behavioural activation are commonly recommended adjuncts.
What if a client says they are not sad, just numb?+
Anhedonia (loss of interest or pleasure) and emotional numbness are core depression features and often more functionally disabling than sadness itself. Behavioural activation and the locus-of-control handout are more useful here than mood-focused work.