Depression
High Functioning Depression in Senior Leaders
We work with the quiet, flat mood underneath outward success, alongside (not instead of) any medical care you may already have in place.
- Executive Psychotherapist
- Multi Award-Winning
- 1,000+ Clients Transformed
About this work
What the work on depression with Nicky Anstey actually involves
This page is for senior leaders, business owners and high functioning professionals living with depression that does not look like depression from the outside. Nicky Anstey is a multi award-winning Executive Psychotherapist whose practice addresses the patterns underneath low mood in people who are still performing.
This is important: the work here is not a replacement for medical treatment. For clinical depression, medical input from a GP or psychiatrist is required. Nicky’s work fits alongside, not instead of, medical treatment. This page sits in the wider mental optimisation cluster, where depression often travels with anxiety, stress and extreme pressure.
What high functioning depression actually looks like
When you are still delivering and quietly feeling nothing
You meet deadlines. You hold the team. You sit through a strong year and feel nothing. You cannot remember the last time you enjoyed something properly. Sundays feel heavier than they should. Joy has gone quiet. None of this shows up in performance. All of it shows up in the parts of life that are not work.
Underneath, you usually find a recognisable mix of suppressed needs, identity built almost entirely around achievement, long-term extreme pressure, and patterns like perfectionism that have run for too long without rest. These are not the cause of clinical depression but they often shape its high functioning version.
How the work moves
High Functioning Depression in Senior Leaders
Inside the Rewire Method, depression in high functioning clients is addressed on three levels at once.
- The nervous system. Chronic exhaustion underneath flat mood needs settling, with practical work on sleep, breath, recovery and performance nutrition.
- The unconscious pattern. Often suppressed needs, identity through achievement, perfectionism that has run too long. Worked at the root through psychotherapy and hypnotherapy.
- The daily life. Workload, recovery, meaning, relationships and time. Where the new pattern has to actually live.
Important caveat. Severe clinical depression requires medical input. If you are in acute crisis or experiencing thoughts of self harm, please contact your GP or NHS 111 immediately. Nicky’s work runs alongside medical care, not instead of it. On the Reset Call she will help you identify whether her work is the right fit now or whether the right next step is medical first.
Clients who came back to enjoyment
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“I just wanted to say how transformational my sessions have been with Nicky and I would wholeheartedly recommend her.”
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“The most powerful timeline work I’ve ever done – gentle, insightful, and deeply effective. Nicky is truly the best.”
How You Can Work with Nicky
Nicky works with a small number of clients at any one time. Every engagement is delivered by her directly, with no associates and no handoffs. Most clients begin with a Reset Call and from there choose the right programme together.
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See Rewire Coaching
Rewire Coaching
The signature one to one programme, built on the trademarked Rewire Method. Where most clients begin.
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See Executive Coaching
Executive Coaching
For founders, directors and senior leaders at the top of their field who refuse to pay for performance with their health.
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See High Performance Coaching
High Performance Coaching
For high achievers who already perform and want the inner state to match the outer results.
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See Leadership Coaching
Leadership Coaching
For leaders who feel the weight of every decision and want to lead from a steadier place.
Succeed Beyond Your Limits
Twenty minutes with Nicky, one to one. No pitch. Honest conversation. If her work is the right fit, she will say. If it is not, she will say that too.
Why Nicky
Why Work With Nicky Anstey
She has lived it. Nicky experienced severe burnout during her own corporate career, then built her businesses through significant personal and health challenges. The story is not background. It is the reason the work goes deeper than most coaching.
She has the qualifications to go deep. Nicky is a qualified Executive Psychotherapist, Master NLP Coach, Master Hypnotherapist, Master Life and Business Coach, and a Registered Nutritionist aligned with medicine. Five disciplines inside one practitioner. Most coaches hold one.
She has the results. Over 1,000 clients have worked with Nicky and gone through the trademarked Rewire Method. Reduced pressure, clearer thinking, stronger leadership, healthier lives.
She is not a generalist. Nicky works specifically with high-achieving business owners and senior leaders. The people who others assume are fine, because they are still performing. Read more about Nicky here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is high functioning depression
A pattern of low mood and reduced enjoyment in someone who is still visibly performing in work and life. Often invisible to colleagues, family and even doctors who look at output.
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Is this a replacement for medical treatment
No. For clinical depression, medical input is needed. Nicky’s work runs alongside.
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Should I see a GP first
If you have not seen one and the depression has been ongoing, yes. The Reset Call can help you decide what mix of medical and coaching support fits.
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Will I need to come off my medication
No. Decisions about medication remain between you and your doctor.
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How is Nicky qualified to work with this
Nicky is a qualified Executive Psychotherapist with more than 15 years of practice. For non-crisis high functioning depression, that qualification is appropriate. For acute clinical depression, medical specialists lead.
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How quickly will I feel different
Most clients describe a shift within the first few sessions, particularly in sleep and energy. Deeper change in mood and meaning takes longer.
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What if I am in crisis
If you are in acute crisis or having thoughts of self harm, please contact your GP, NHS 111, or the Samaritans on 116 123. Nicky’s work is not for acute crisis.
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Is this the same as Rewire Coaching
It uses the Rewire Method, with high functioning depression as the focus, alongside any medical care.
Working Across the UK and Internationally
Most one to one work is delivered online, which means Nicky works with business owners and senior leaders across the United Kingdom, Europe and internationally. In person engagements are arranged by appointment for corporate workshops and select programmes.
Transform to Perform Coaching
Godalming, Surrey, UK
Ready to Book Your Reset Call
Twenty minutes, one to one with Nicky
Share a little about what is going on. Nicky reads every enquiry personally.
Book your free Reset Call
No obligation. Confidential. 20 minute call. Fit check for both of us.
Case Study
[PLACEHOLDER. Client whose flat mood reset over a defined period, alongside medical care]
[PLACEHOLDER. Short story in Nicky’s voice. Mention medical care running alongside, where applicable.]