Depression Counseling in Scotts Valley, CA.

Depression feels like walking through mud. We lose ourselves and wonder if we will ever be found again. Often depression is a result of unexpressed negative emotions (which we were never allowed to safely express in our family of origin - so we swallowed it instead). I am very comfortable with the shame and humility that the human condition sometimes hands us - and I can sit with my clients while they work through unexpressed sadnesses - and ultimately find joy in their lives.

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 may be hereditary, may be created by enormous stress over time, or from a recent stressor that results in an assault on one's serotonin levels. The results are symptoms of depression; poor sleep, appetite issues, bad moods or mood swings, low energy, poor focus/concentration and difficult functioning in every-day life. There are many ways to approach the problem of depression, and I usually recommend a multi-faceted approach to really solve the problem. I've helped hundreds of people with the issue in my career. People don't usually "snap out of it" and it is a serious issue. Professionals, like myself, know what to do to help you.

Does life seem bleak right now? Have you lost interest in the things you used to enjoy? Do you feel sad most of the time? Do you have little to look forward to, and a lot you’d prefer not to look back on? When you are convinced that things will never get better no matter what, you are depressed. I can give you tools and teach you how to use them to dig yourself out of the emotional ditch you’re in. It is possible to feel hope again when you know how.

When struggling with depression, almost all areas of life can become affected and very difficult to manage. I can support your depression recovery by helping you increase behaviors that support a positive change in your mood, helping you change patterns of negative thinking, and also help break life-long held beliefs that keep one stuck. You deserve compassionate and attentive support, and you are capable of change, although this can feel incredibly difficult when depression is present. But recovery is quite possible, and I can support you.

Depression can be painful for the person suffering from it as well as those closest to them. When we are depressed, previously enjoyable activities can appear meaningless. We lose interest in connecting with others (often exacerbating symptoms). Furthermore, it can feel as though there is "no point" to life. We all have periods of time when we feel less than ideal, but depression is severe and enduring. Counseling provides an atmosphere where it is safe to discuss these feelings.

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.

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.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.

I help clients explore the root causes of their depression, which can often be complex and multifaceted. By uncovering underlying issues, clients can gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and behaviors. Clients learn strategies to manage and regulate intense emotions associated with depression. These skills empower clients to navigate emotional challenges more effectively. I offer tools to cope with stress and life challenges, reducing the impact of stressors on depressive symptoms. I use CBT, acceptance & commitment therapy to help break negative patterns for my clients who are dealing with depression. When depression is tied to past trauma, I also use EMDR.

Depression is a common mental health disorder, affecting all age groups, that causes intense & persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness and personal emptiness. Depression affects how you feel, think, behave and could lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems, left untreated. If you are struggling with depression you don't have to be alone, seeking help is the first step to improving your symptoms. Psychotherapy has shown to improve the symptoms of depression. Together will develop a comprehensive treatment plan specific to your concerns, needs and symptoms to improve the quality of your life.

Depression can be a very difficult emotion to feel, to understand, to cope with and to heal from. As we work together, we begin to explore your experiences and relationships from the past to understand what might be happening in the present that may still need healing. As well as, understand your feelings in the moment to provide relief, comfort and support.

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.