Finding Your Sense of Purpose: A Recovery-Focused Approach

When you're navigating mental health challenges, well-meaning friends often suggest you "find your passion" or "discover your purpose." But if you're dealing with depression, anxiety, or other mental health conditions, this advice can feel overwhelming—even impossible. As a PACFA registered clinical counsellor working with NDIS participants across Brisbane's south and east, I've learned that finding purpose in recovery requires a completely different approach.

Why Purpose Matters in Mental Health Recovery

Purpose isn't just a nice-to-have—it's fundamental to meaningful recovery. In my work with clients dealing with schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and personality disorders, I've seen how a sense of purpose transforms not just daily motivation, but entire life trajectories.

Unlike goals or achievements, purpose is about connection—to yourself, to others, and to something larger than your immediate circumstances. For NDIS participants, this often translates directly into community participation goals. When someone feels purposeful, they naturally engage more with their community, build stronger relationships, and develop better emotional regulation.

Most importantly, purpose helps separate the person from their mental health condition. You are not your depression. You are not your anxiety. You are a whole person with unique gifts and contributions, regardless of your mental health challenges.

The Community-Centered Approach to Purpose

This is why I meet clients in parks, libraries, their homes, and other community spaces rather than a traditional office setting. Purpose isn't discovered in isolation—it emerges through real-world connection and engagement.

I remember working with a client in Thornside who felt completely disconnected from any sense of meaning. We started our sessions at a local park where she used to walk her dog years earlier. Simply being in that familiar environment began to reconnect her with parts of herself she thought were lost. Over time, she rediscovered her love of helping others and now volunteers at a community garden.

When we engage with our environment—whether that's a quiet corner of a library or the comfort of your own living room—we create space for authentic self-discovery. The setting matters because recovery happens in real life, not in sterile clinical environments.

Practical Steps to Rediscover Purpose

Start with What You Can Manage Today Purpose doesn't require grand gestures. In early recovery, your purpose might simply be showing up for yourself each day. That's not only enough—it's profound.

Notice What Naturally Draws Your Attention During our sessions, I use person-centered approaches to help clients identify what genuinely interests them, not what they think should interest them. What topics do you find yourself reading about? What problems do you notice in your community? What makes you feel slightly more alive?

Connect Through Small Actions Purpose grows through action, not contemplation. This might mean:

• Checking in on a neighbour

• Sharing something helpful in an online community

• Volunteering for one hour a month

• Teaching someone a skill you have

Separate Purpose from Performance Your worth and purpose aren't dependent on your productivity or achievements. Using motivational interviewing techniques, I help clients build confidence around their inherent value, regardless of their current capacity or circumstances.

Purpose in Different Recovery Stages

Early Recovery: Survival and Stability Your purpose here is fundamental—staying safe, taking medication as prescribed, attending appointments. This isn't small; it's the foundation everything else builds on.

Middle Stage: Exploration and Connection As stability increases, purpose expands to include reconnecting with interests, rebuilding relationships, and exploring community participation opportunities.

Ongoing Recovery: Contribution and Meaning-Making Purpose evolves into how you contribute to others' wellbeing, whether through work, relationships, creativity, or community involvement.

Moving Forward with Intention

Finding purpose in recovery isn't about having it all figured out. It's about taking small, consistent steps toward connection and meaning while honoring where you are right now.

If you're an NDIS participant in Brisbane's metro south, east, or Logan City areas, I provide therapeutic support that meets you where you are—literally and figuratively. My approach focuses on helping you achieve your daily living and community participation goals through person-centered, solution-focused counselling.

For those seeking ongoing support and practical strategies, I'm launching a digital subscription service that provides weekly multimedia content focused on motivation, purpose, self-worth, and managing depression. This includes short audio insights, engaging videos, and journal prompts delivered directly to your inbox.

Recovery is possible, and purpose is waiting to be rediscovered—not in some distant future, but in the small, meaningful choices you make today.

Michael Anderson is a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor (#25995) and NDIS registered provider specializing in psycho-social recovery support. Based in Brisbane, he provides therapeutic services in clients' homes and community settings across the metro south and east areas. Contact: 0402 710 285 or michael@recoverlifecounselling.com.au