Depression Counseling in Mead Valley, CA.

Depression can limit a person from thriving. These limitations can be be various and may include experiencing life as hard to get motivated or even wanting to stop existing. Thoughts of suicide are common, but not existing and not thriving can be overcome; depression can be managed. Therapy for depression will reveal the basis for your feelings of hopelessness and helplessness and help you to manage these feelings rather than be managed by them. You don't have to let depression control you. You can, with the help of therapy, manage depression so that you can thrive. Like waking up from a bad dream, you can experience a new life where you are not ruled by depression.

Depression counseling involves assessing and making appropriate changes in the physical, emotional, and relational aspects of a client's life that are contributing to depressed mood. I work with clients to both remedy the underlying causes and their resulting cognitions, and the lifestyle habits that hinder their recovery. Often it is appropriate to work in conjunction with medical professionals who may suggest medications and/or nutritional supplements to correct the biochemical aspects of depressive episodes. Clients benefit most when their treatment is comprehensive and avoids dealing solely with symptom relief.

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.

Clients usually experience a progressive decline in mood, which can impact their emotions, the quality of their sleep, relationships (they may even begin to withdraw from others), and have persistent negative thoughts. Many clients prefer to explore viable holistic and integrative strategies before trying medication. In our collaboration, we will design a plan to explore possible options, strategies to strengthen effective coping mechanisms, and identify a plan to enhance the opportunity for recovery.

I've worked with depressed clients in every environment from private practice to locked wards over the past couple of decades. I use everything from Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to deep root issues with a Psychodynamic approach. This is what a client recently stated..."I wasn't able to function on my job.I had to have someone else do my work! I'm now doing GREAT at work! Before I was only able to sleep 2-3 hours a night. My sleep's back to normal! No more thoughts of suicide and no more depression! I can't believe it! Now...I'm...EVEN... happy! I've been doing the things you suggested and THEY'VE WORKED! I feel blessed! All this within a few visits?!"

Cognitive Behavioral therapy is the treatment of choice for depression. How you think effects how you feel, so we will work together to alter your irrational and non-productive thoughts and behaviors. First we will assess your symptoms and the impact of the "dark cloud" that is robbing you of joy and energy, then set goals and develop a treatment plan to help you get back to your old self, only better.

Research shows that the most effective treatment for depression is psychotherapy. Depression can range from feeling down to major symptoms such as having trouble even getting out of bed or contemplating suicide (if you have suicidal thoughts or plans, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255). Online counseling is effective for depression because it is easy to access: you can start treatment without even leaving the house.

When one is struggling with depression, it feels like being at the bottom of a big, black hole, always looking for a way out/up and not finding one. I provide emotional support, administer depression inventories, provide referrals for medication evaluations (if necessary), and help with cognitive processing to change thinking patterns which add to the depression. Don't try to face your depression alone. There is help available!

I believe there are at least two kinds of depression. One is more biological or "hard-wired" and may need a biological-level intervention. Therefore, I may refer you to be evaluated by a doctor or psychiatrist for medication. The other kind of depression often arises from injured relationships or facing obstacles in life. Sometimes, depression can be a combination of both. If your depression results from a hurt relationship or failures in life, I can help you to rise above it. As a Family Therapist, I treat problems through a relationship-oriented perspective. Therefore, I may be able to address the kinds of relational issues that often worsen depression.

Depression can be insidious and chronic causing you to feel like you can't connect, you're missing out on life or you're "going through the motions". This is no way to live! Don't settle for feeling detached and disconnected from your life, missing true joy and adventure. Tools can help you feel connected again and release buried feelings that keep you depressed. When depression becomes acute, you can't slow down, relax, can't sleep or sleep too much, feel a deep sadness, heaviness. Using tools for acute depression really helps you get back on track!

Depression Counseling, Therapy Dr. Laura Adams PsyD MFT (949) 244-1992. www.SouthOCTherapist.com. Dr. Adams is a licensed MFT and Psychoanlyst in Orange County, with private practices in Newport Beach and Mission Viejo. Dr. Adams specializes in using a Psychoanalytic approach to long-term Depression, Stress and Anxiety disorders. Dr. Adams counsels families, individuals and couples.