Depression Counseling in Silver Lake, CA.

Depression has many different faces. It can be triggered by sad events, like the loss of a loved one, or by seemingly happy events, like the birth of a child. Sometimes it can even be caused by influences we don’t really understand. Helping individuals identify the causes of their depression, and explore new ways to cope are at the heart of my work in this area. Often clients who begin therapy because of depression discover that what they are feeling is to past trauma, issues related to their family history or upbringing, negative thinking or limiting beliefs. With the opportunity to work through past issues in a safe, non-judgmental setting often helps people find relief from their overwhelming emotions and lift the fog of depression that has been weighing them down.

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.

I believe that as we grow up we are shaped by our relationships; this starts from the time we are little and continues for the rest of our lives. Through these relationships we are also shaped by society. In being shaped we create various meaning from our experiences as well as receiving and giving instructions on how to live. When we form new relationships of any kind, this gets challenged; coming together and finding a path forward that celebrates all involved is the key to success. Sometimes this gets stalled through unspoken expectations and anticipated or unanticipated pressure related to sadness. Lets explore this!

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.

Young adults across the country are struggling, and often their parents often don’t understand why, or how to best help them. By waiting until emotional problems with your child have escalated, the issue becomes more complicated to solve. Seeking my services as a Young Adult Life Coach offers the opportunity to address and remedy these problems. I provide a safe, non-judgmental space for your child to express their feelings and overcome their challenges. I invite you to take advantage of my FREE Initial Parent Consultation.

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.

Are you struggling with sadness, loss of motivation, low energy, feeling down, hopelessness or helplessness? Life these days are not easy and can bring on depression and loneliness. I want to be a support to you and help you through this part of your life. I will help you find hope and identify coping skills to manage your symptoms. It would be my pleasure to walk by your side and find a new path of hopefulness!

I like to work collaboratively with my clients with a special emphasis on going at their own pace. When feelings of hopelessness, sadness, or lack of motivation is a primary concern, it is important to help clients find goals that they feel they are actually able to achieve. Providing a supportive, non-judgmental and peaceful atmosphere in therapy can help a client explore some of the more challenging struggles that has made him or her feel stuck, either in their personal goals or in important close relationships. Finding new strategies or coping skills to replace the ones that have stopped working becomes the new goal and transformations in outlook and relationships can begin.

Depression is an overused word, and therefore misunderstood. I will work with you to help you understand if you are truly depressed, caught in grief, or going through a rocky life-transition. How we respond to our life is as, or even more important than the facts of our life. Our reactions to our circumstances will guide our emotional path in either a positive or negative way. Let me help you embrace the parts of yourself that are unknown, even to you. Bringing your darkness to light, will help you to see yourself in a much more empathetic way.

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 has a way of taking away our zest for life, our sense of vitality, and even sometimes our will to live. I begin my work in depression treatment with a thorough assessment of not just the number of symptoms of depression but as importantly the quality of the depression. Depression that stems from guilt has a different feel than that which stems from shame. I observe and interact with my clients and I provide my observations back to them for their assessment and collaboration in this very engaged and intimate process of identification. I make note of how my client is feeling during these conversations and I make my observations and senses my guides in treating depressive feelings.

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.

We all feel down sometimes. Real depression is when we can’t get back up. Or it’s when we do so only after great effort, and even then it’s not all the way back. If sadness, hopelessness, and helplessness get in your way, that’s depression. Even mild or periodic depression can interfere in your life. It can also increase conflicts at work and in your relationships. Therapy helps, even without medication. Some people may benefit from medication, but that’s on an individual basis, and research shows that medication works best when it’s combined with therapy. We’ll examine what causes the depression, what you’ve tried, and what else can be done. Depression doesn’t have to stop your living.