Depression Counselling in Vancouver, BC.

Our therapy approach and style are simple and down-to-earth. You show up and we talk together in a secure, non-judgemental virtual environment. Our goal is that you are heard, understood and overall feel validated about your situation. Depression doesn't have to be something you suffer from for the rest of your life, let us help you so have the tools to manage confidently on your own.

Depression drains your energy, hope, and drive, making it difficult to do what you need to feel better. But while overcoming depression isn’t quick or easy, it’s far from impossible. You can’t beat it through sheer willpower, but you do have some control—even if your depression is severe and stubbornly persistent. Recovering from depression requires action. But taking action when you’re depressed is hard. In fact, just thinking about the things you should do to feel better, like going for a walk or spending time with friends, can be exhausting. Getting the support you need plays a big role in lifting the fog of depression and keeping it away.

Having difficulty coping with life? Feeling unfulfilled? Feeling overwhelmed? Don't know who you are? In a life or work transition? Suffering from seasonal affective disorder? I will create a warm, safe environment and help you discover what changes you can make to feel better, happier and more satisfied. Change feelings, thoughts and behaviours to help you break the cycle. I can help you process your thoughts and feelings and gain insight into yourself. Together we will work with the tools your need to create a new beginning helping you find new meaning in life and setting up goals for the future.

Depression can be deeply painful, robbing you of energy, motivation, and hope. It creates a negative view of life, your self, and your future. It typically disrupts sleep patterns, appetite, emotions, and your thinking ability. I use the clinical practice of cognitive behavioural therapy to help people regain healthy control over their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and reclaim a sense of influence over their life style and life situation's. Coaching you to refocus, set small daily goals, celebrate your successes, and learn new behavioral and thinking skills can take time but the good news is that once you have acquired these skills you have them for life.

Depression is now the number one cause of suffering in the world today (World Health Organization Statistics). Each person's story is different and there is no "one size fits all" when it comes to treating depression, depending upon the severity of symptoms. I assess and offer practical tools as well as create a safe and secure place and environment for people to come and talk to me about things that they may not tell anyone else because of the shame and stigma of depression. I am trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy as well as a number of other therapeutic techniques which have been proven to help with depression.

Depression can color how we see the world, ourselves and other people. Activities that used to be fun are not fun anymore and doing small things can feel like a chore. We might lose our sense of meaning and purpose and struggle to motivate ourselves. I want you know that there is hope, even if you cannot fully feel it right now. When working with depression, I help my clients to develop skills to improve their mood . Sometimes making little changes can help you feel better, which results in hope and lead to more hope and create an upward spiral. I also always help my clients heal the roots of their depression since this is an important part of recovering from depression.

No two people experience depression in exactly the same way and so dealing with it also needs an individual approach. Rather than viewing depression as something wrong with the person experiencing it, the client and I listen to what it might have to say to them. Though understandably, nobody likes depression, and it can be managed with tools such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy and mindfulness, etc., it can also be engaged through other approaches that allow its importance and meaning (and what it is calling for) is revealed. This can bring greater richness, wisdom, and appreciation for life.

Grey Matters International, Inc. and the work of Kevin J. Fleming, Ph.D. handles depression and other emotional disorders in a very unique way. Most of therapy or counseling processes utilize validation, unconditional positive regard, and reframing as common techniques to get someone to heal from their depression. Though this can be helpful, it rarely fixes the core problem behind it and for tough cases we then refer them usually to a psychiatrist for medication which can have tons of side effects. Instead, why not try a natural and arguably more effective way to not just change your mind, but change the brain--where the depression is rooted. Contact us at kevin@kevinflemingphd.com.

Our practice incorporates the compassionate inquiry approach to delve deeper into the underlying factors contributing to depression. Additionally, we utilize approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches to assist clients in developing awareness of the thoughts that lead to feelings of depression. Furthermore, we integrate positive psychology techniques to promote well-being and resilience.

Are you struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in once-loved activities or feeling helpless and hopeless? The lethargic and foggy shutdown of depression can make everything in life feel just a few inches out of reach. The good news is that depression is readily treatable. I would be glad to help you explore what is keeping your body stuck in numb disconnection. Next, we form a plan to help you back to your best self. Together we tackle here-and-now symptoms with strategies of mindfulness and CBT, while also untying old knots from the past with emotion-focused and inner-child work. The heaviness of depression is your body asking for care. Are you ready to answer its call?

Among other things, depression is a stagnation, a lack of forward motion. I side with the cognitive behaviour therapists, who say that behavioural activation is a valuable treatment. Learn about what activities bring you joy or peace or relief. Then, give those activities a larger role in your life. I could just say "activity" over and over here, because that is what will help most. Activity, activity, activity...

Depression can feel debilitating and leave people feeling isolated and unsure of how to get out of that "grey" zone. I describe it that way because when depressed, everything feels grey and nothing seems to matter. I think it is very important to uncover the underlying causes of a client's depression. This typically involves an increased awareness of how they are seeing themselves, and changing these negative thought patterns. In a way, depression can result in self loathing and recrimination. I help my clients make significant shifts in how they see themselves and others.

Feeling depressed is a horrible way to live your life. I work with clients to help them overcome their depression for good. We spend time on creating awareness and insight while developing healthy coping strategies, repairing/strengthening relationships, addressing ineffective habits, and altering thinking, feeling, and behavioural patterns. Whether it be situational depression or an ongoing pattern of depression, we can find ways to improve your mood and thus your quality of life.