Depression Counseling in Los Alamitos, CA.

Wouldn't it be great if we could take a pill to fix all our problems? While medication can be an important tool in fighting depression, psychotherapy and medication is normally the "gold standard." Forming a relationship with a therapist in a confidential and safe environment is an essential step on the road to recovery. Your therapist may end up knowing you better than anyone else in your life. Finding a "good fit" is vital. I seek to provide such an environment to facilitate self-discovery and to make change for the better.

Depression does not have to keep you from feeling like yourself any longer. You may be feeling unfulfilled, hopeless, discouraged- even seeking support in therapy can feel overwhelming. In the safety of our relationship, you can face these difficult feelings and gain insights into yourself and your relationships. We will develop necessary coping skills and work to understand what is contributing to your depression. As we process through painful feelings and thoughts you will be more free to re-claim the life you want and experience the joy and fulfillment that you deserve.

Depression can express itself in a variety of forms. The symptoms of depression vary from person to person. While occasional depression might be considered normal, it is not normal for it to become a hinderance to enjoying and living life. If you are depressed, allow me to provide you with tools to manage the depression while we explore the roots of the depression to create a path out of it.

I use several methods for helping you overcome depression. I support you in maintaining safety. Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, I help you to identify unhelpful thoughts and learn how to restructure your thoughts. I help you identify root causes of your depression and find ways to reduce their impact by replacing them with activities and relationships that support you in increased positive mood and personal responsibility. Depression can be comorbid with other issues you may be struggling with and I take a holistic approach to help you address what is needed in order to become a more fulfilled, and satisfied individual.

Depression is not something that exists "in" you. It is something you experience in a context. When we are out of connection with others we can become depressed. My approach to healing depression is not to simple help people get "over" their depression but by helping people move in and through it. That means, feeling into the pain and potential danger of feeling the feelings that are in you. When we are not alone in our feelings they can change.

Depression can be debilitating and sometimes just getting out of bed is a monumental effort. Sufferers just want to feel better and less overwhelmed by life and that's where I come in. I have extensive experience in this area and I think part of the reason my clients have shown improvements with their depressive symptoms is because we take small steps and tackle things one at a time. Negative thoughts and limiting beliefs can often contribute to depression and my approach is to explore where they come from and then replace them with healthier beliefs and patterns. Clients will be able to see the connections between their beliefs and behaviors and then be given tools on how to make changes.

If you or your child / adolescent are suffering with symptoms of depression such as, loss of interest in activities, low self-worth, and mood changes then I would like to help. Untreated depression can negatively impact relationships, productivity, physical and mental well-being. Whether you understand the root cause of your depression or are unsure of why you are struggling, therapy can be the start you need to move towards healing.

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

Depression causes a major disruption in the life of individuals due to constant feelings of sadness, hopelessness, exhaustion and even anxiety. This mood disorder causes persistent changes in the way you feel physically, mentally and emotionally. By getting treatment you can progressively work with a supportive therapist and together embark on your journey towards healing.

Depression takes away your ability to feel joy in life. But with the right help you can overcome it. I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy to help you understand your emotions and take concrete actions to change how you feel. It's not easy, but it is an evidenced based therapy that can offer you a chance to feel joy. Understanding how you can change your mood in positive ways can help you find joy again. I can help you do that.

Depression should be seen as normal in that all of us experience depression periodically. Too much depression is discouraging and can be treated. Find out of your depression is "normal" or clinically troubling. Relief from depression is available for most depressed persons. Often depressed persons are understimuated with not enough fun or activity. On the other hand depression can be seen as the opposite of "expression" where thoughts, feelings and needs are not sufficiently acknowledge and expressed.

Depression is more than a situation that causes you to feel down for a period of time. It is a debilitating state that affects all aspects of your life. Learning how to increase coping skills and learn the negative self thoughts that are underlying the depressed feelings will help you to understand the mind and body connection. I offer support and a whole person approach to treating depression.

Do you feel lost? Are you searching for something without knowing what that something is? Is there an emptiness inside that has made you feel lonely? I specialize in TRAUMA, and those symptoms may be byproducts of an unresolved past. My Advanced Trauma Training focuses on long-term holistic healing where I customize my therapy to YOU, eclectically using the many pieces of training in my therapy toolbelt - Somatics, Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Transpersonal, and EMDR.

Are you feeling hopeless, isolated and not your usual self? I want you to know that you are not alone and there are people who can help. Many of my clients find relief in realizing that their struggle does not own them and that there are many options available to once again have hope for their lives. I understand the social stigmas that come with label of being depressed, and thus aim to help clients sort out their environmental, biological and circumstantial factors while offering support and care through a very dark time in their lives. If you are hoping to finally lighten this load and feel like yourself again, contact me today for a free consultation.

Life can be very stressful these days. Cell phones, I Pads, smart phones, e mail, social networks all are fun and wonderful but they also bring with them higher expectations from work, family, friends and even ourselves. Our world keeps speeding up and the pressures can be great. Depression as an outgrowth of the stresses and pressures that surround us is becoming increasing common and a part of each of our lives. Most of us will experience depression at one or more points in our lives. Medication can help but is usually not the long term answer. We will work to identify the problems, find solutions, set goals and work toward minimizing the causes and find more peace and calm.

Depression can be a heavy and overwhelming burden to bear, but with my evidence-based approach and compassionate guidance, we can work together to lift that weight and shed light on a brighter future. My use of cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness techniques can help you understand and challenge negative thought patterns, leading to an improvement in mood and overall outlook on life. I will provide a safe and non-judgmental space for you to explore the root causes of your depression, and work towards building healthy coping skills to manage symptoms. You are not alone in this journey and I am here to support you every step of the way.

Depression can be crippling. By talking with an expert, becoming aware of the specific "kind" of depression (there are many kinds....hormonal, clinical, psychological to name a few ) you can understand the causes. By identifying the causes, your treatment plan will include looking deeper into the situations, people, experiences (past or present) which may be keeping you depressed. For instance, unresolved "anger" is a primary cause for depression. Also "loss" and "guilt". Talking will help. Your therapist will guide you in a direction to help you gain insight into what might be unresolved in your life and help you through it. Knowledge and understanding the causes are the beginning.

Depression, just the very word feels hopeless and limited, there is a sense of internal and external collapse of the world. Yet it can also be used as a tremendous starting point to examine one's life, goals, expectations and longings, both current and historical. Depression can actually function to suppress emotional pain that has been cut off, denied and stuffed away. Depression is treatable today.

Depression is a debilitating feeling and I commend you for reaching out for help. I believe that therapy gives you choice in how you want to live, not just how you learned to survive. I help my clients examine and uncover what is underneath their depressive symptoms to resolve the unconscious triggers and feelings that create these tough feelings. Together, we can bring you relief.

I practice a type of therapy for depression called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which research has shown to be especially effective with depressive disorders. Using CBT, we work together to discover underlying beliefs (which we call cognitive distortions) that are causing or contributing to your depressive symptoms. Once identified, we then use a variety of techniques to help you correct those thinking patterns that are causing you difficulty. We measure progress constantly so that we can try new techniques if needed, to help you feel better.

Talk therapy is incredibly beneficial for all areas of treatment, especially depression. Psychotherapy will help the depressed client to identify and understand life problems. Therapy will explore life problems and the cognitions behind the thoughts that lead to the depressed feelings. Together, in a safe and warm environment the client will be able to regain a sense of control and pleasure.

I work with individuals who experience an inner critical voice that attacks them with messages such as: “I am not enough”; “I need to be a better person”; "I cannot trust others". Some explain feeling overly responsible and share that they have difficulty expressing their authentic feelings to others. I help my clients discover that there is plenty of room for every aspect of their personhood. Shame, depression and anxiety dissipate and self-acceptance is the natural byproduct. Letting go of shame and worry leads to greater joy and fulfillment in interpersonal relationships.

Again deep breathing is the key here. The inhale will energize you and the exhale will relax you. Low energy is a key symptom of depression. Also hopelessness and helplessness. Changing the way you breathe will directly change your nervous system and change the way you feel physiologically. It will also change the way you perceive reality. If you have clinical depression (not situational) then medication in addition to psychotherapy may be advised. Mostly I help people get off medication. Exercise is as effective in treating depression as medication.

Sadness is a part of life, but depression can lead to serious problems if not treated correctly. If you are suffering from a sadness that goes on day after day you may have a clinical depression that is in need of professional help. If you are not sure if you are depressed we can help you figure that out. Don't let the cost of therapy stop you. We have over 25 therapists with fees ranging from $45 to $250 per session so we will find just the right person to help. You don't have to suffer another day, give us a call.

Depression can be experienced at any age and comes in various degrees impacting how we feel about ourselves and others. It can change our mood, eating, sleeping, thinking, and involvement in activities. Many individuals suffer in silence but their mood and behavior reveal a deeper turmoil within themselves. Talking to a trusted person about those inner thoughts is helpful but many friends and family members may not have the knowledge and skills to help you. Seeking a professional counselor can reduce feelings of isolation and provide you with feelings of hope. “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed” Proverbs 15:22.