Depression Counseling in San Fernando, CA.

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 a lonely place. A place where you are surrounded by your darkest and deepest thoughts. A place that feels isolated. A place that prevents you from moving forward, getting out of bed, and having a fulfilling life. Depression can become so powerful that instead of having hope, you can become consumed with feelings of sadness and hopelessness. In therapy, I will make you connect your emotional and physical pain into your depression and teach you self care, though stopping techniques, and relaxation techniques in order to overcome the symptoms. You and I will work together to work through your past traumas you have experienced growing up.

CBT is a particularly effective treatment for depression, both as a combined approach with medication and as a stand alone treatment. Participating in CBT therapy for depression can help you restructure negative thought patterns and get out of negative cycles of thinking. Changing the way you think can help you interpret your environment and interactions with others in a more effective and positive way, improving the way you feel about yourself and helping improve your relationships with others. It may also help you recognize things that may be contributing to the depression and help you start doing things that lead to a reduction of symptoms and feelings of meaningful happiness.

My therapeutic approach in treating depression is to assist my clients in gaining insight and awareness as to the origin and cause of their depressed mood and unhappiness. I conduct an evaluation to determine the severity of the depression and create a treatment plan for therapy. I assist clients in understanding the causes for their depression, help clients develop coping mechanisms and increase awareness of behaviors that perpetuate the client's depression. My work mainly consists of teaching emotional intelligence, mindfulness, DBT, and CBT skills to learn to manage and overcome the depression.

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.

Studies show that talk therapy along with medication are the most effective for chronic depression. Although I cannot prescribe medication, I have a vast amount of experience practicing talk therapy with depressed clients. Depression can be debilitating and can interfere with every aspect of your life. Whether your depression is situational or hereditary, through psychotherapy we'll get to the root of it.

It can often seem like society expects us to be happy and positive at all times, that any admission of sadness or a loss of motivation, energy, or engagement with life is a personal failure. But Depression isn't a personal failure, and it is also more than just "feeling sad". If you find yourself down in the hole of disconnection, surrounded by a fog that is interfering with your life and relationships, you need a hand to help you climb out. A trained therapist understands the mechanics of depression and can help you understand it and find strategies to make your way up and out of it, and back into the light. Please contact me so we can begin to work on this process together.

Depression, fear and anxiety are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience at some point in our lives. Therapy can help you to talk things out, cope with feelings, problem solve and change behavior patterns that may contribute to your symptoms. Through our work together in therapy, I am able to help you recover motivation, perspective, and joy that you once had so that you can live your best life.

For clients experiencing depression, I help them explore both external and internal circumstances that are impacting their mental health and look for relationships in their lives that are impeding the healing process. Then we do relational work together to move out of a place of hopelessness and helplessness into a place of strength and empowerment.

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.

In treating mood problems, the most important piece in collaborating is to find rays of hope in your life. What did you love to do before that you no longer enjoy? What are/were your interests in life? Who are the people in your life you want to feel closer to? What are your strengths? How can we interupt habitual feelings of hopelessnes, by changing the way you think about triggers that lead you to depressed feelings? How can we challenge negative or unrealistic thinking? With sensitive, open communication in sessins, we can find answers to these questions that can curtail habitual depressive thought and feelings. Coping skills can be taught and mastered.

There are many types of depression. If you believe that you, or someone you care about, is struggling with this common disorder, please reach out for help with us or another qualified mental health professional. Treatments vary, depending upon the type, severity, and duration of the problem. Please know that depression is treatable and that there is hope.

Persistent depression can steal your passion for life and make everyday feel hopeless and pointless. Sometimes it can feel as though nothing will ever change. At VOBH, our psychologists strive to help you identify the roots of your depression so that you once again be optimistic and hopeful about your life. We strive to collaborate with you on ways to alleviate you depression and manage sadness through research-proven therapeutic techniques.