Depression Therapy · Earlwood, Inner West

Depression Psychologist in Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Compassionate depression treatment using behavioural activation and ACT. Helping Inner West clients reconnect with life, purpose, and community.

Book Depression Session Ask Tim a Question

Why Choose This Practice

Behavioural activation specialist
Evening appointments available
Medicare rebate $76.15 per session
Serving Dulwich Hill, Marrickville & surrounds

Getting Here

10 Keith Street, Earlwood NSW 2206. Free street parking on Keith Street and surrounding roads. Bus routes 423 and 426 stop nearby on Homer Street.

Earlwood Hours

Monday & Tuesday: 10am – 8pm
Wednesday: 10am – 2:30pm
Evening appointments available Mon & Tue for those who work during the day.

Earlwood Fees

Medicare rebate: $76.15
Private: $175
60-minute sessions. GP Mental Health Plan required for Medicare.

When Life Loses Its Colour

Depression rarely arrives all at once. Most people I see at my Earlwood practice describe a slow fade — they stopped calling friends, stopped cooking meals they used to enjoy, stopped caring about things that once mattered. One day they realise they've been going through the motions for months, feeling hollow and exhausted despite doing less than ever.

In the Inner West, I see this pattern often. People are juggling demanding commutes, family responsibilities, and caring roles — for children, for ageing parents, sometimes both. The energy drains away so gradually that by the time they notice, they've already withdrawn from the community and routines that used to sustain them.

Depression lies to you. It says you're lazy, that nothing will help, that you should be able to snap out of it. After 20 years of working with depression in this community, I can tell you — that voice is wrong. Depression is treatable, and the first step is recognising what you're dealing with.

You might recognise these patterns:

Waking up without motivation to face the day
Withdrawing from family, friends, or community activities
Feeling like you're going through the motions but nothing means anything
Changes in appetite or sleep that you can't explain
Irritability or emotional numbness that pushes people away
Persistent thoughts of worthlessness or guilt

Tim Carey – Depression Psychologist at Earlwood, Inner West Sydney

Meet Tim Carey, Your Earlwood Depression Psychologist

I'm Tim Carey, a registered psychologist with over two decades of experience helping people move through depression. My Earlwood practice at 10 Keith Street has been a safe space for Inner West locals — from Earlwood, Bardwell Park, Clemton Park, and surrounding communities — for most of my career.

Depression is something I've worked with extensively throughout my 20+ years in clinical practice. I draw on Behavioural Activation and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy — approaches backed by strong evidence — and I tailor every plan to fit your circumstances, not a textbook.

I know that when you're depressed, even making a phone call can feel like a monumental task. That's why I offer evening appointments on Mondays and Tuesdays until 8pm, and I keep the process as simple and low-pressure as possible from the very first session.

AHPRA Registered APS Member Medicare Provider 20+ Years Experience

You Don't Have to Keep Pushing Through Alone

Depression tells you nothing will help. That's the illness talking, not the truth. One session at my Earlwood practice is all it takes to start seeing things differently — no pressure, no judgement, just a genuine conversation about what you're going through.

Book a Depression Session Ask Tim a Question

Medicare rebates available with a GP Mental Health Care Plan · Evening appointments Mon & Tue until 8pm

How I Treat Depression at Earlwood

Depression shrinks your world. My approach is designed to expand it again — gradually, practically, and at a pace that works for you. Here's what treatment looks like.

Behavioural Activation

Depression makes you withdraw, and withdrawal deepens the depression. Behavioural Activation breaks that cycle by systematically re-engaging you with meaningful activities — even small ones. We start where you are and build from there, getting you moving and connected again.

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy

ACT helps you move toward the things that matter — your family, your health, your community — even when depression is telling you it's not worth it. Instead of waiting to feel better before acting, we act first and let the feelings follow.

Routine & Structure Building

Depression disrupts daily rhythms — sleep, meals, exercise, social contact. Together we rebuild a sustainable routine that gives your days structure and purpose. This isn't about rigid schedules — it's about creating a framework that supports recovery.

Sleep Hygiene

Depression and sleep problems feed each other relentlessly. Whether you're sleeping too much or lying awake at 3am, I teach practical, evidence-based strategies to restore healthy sleep patterns — because better sleep is one of the fastest ways to shift your mood.

Family & Relationship Work

Depression doesn't just affect you — it affects everyone around you. I help you understand how depression has impacted your relationships and work with you to rebuild communication, connection, and trust with the people who matter most.

Between-Session Goals

Each week I'll set you small, achievable tasks designed to build momentum. These aren't overwhelming homework assignments — they're carefully chosen steps that prove to you, through experience, that things can change. This is where real progress happens.

Types of Depression I Treat at Earlwood

Major Depressive Disorder

Prolonged sadness, loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, and difficulty functioning in daily life. MDD is more than a bad week — it's a persistent condition that responds well to structured psychological treatment.

Persistent Depressive Disorder (Dysthymia)

A low-grade, chronic form of depression that can last years. People with dysthymia often say they've "always been this way" — but it doesn't have to stay that way. Behavioural Activation is particularly effective here.

Postnatal Depression

Depression after childbirth that affects bonding, daily functioning, and your sense of yourself as a parent. It's more common than people think, and getting support early makes a significant difference for you and your baby.

Situational Depression

Triggered by life events like job loss, separation, bereavement, or major change. While it often resolves with time, professional support can prevent it from deepening and help you navigate the transition more effectively.

Other Services at My Earlwood Practice

Depression often overlaps with other conditions. I provide integrated support across these areas at Earlwood.