Depression Counseling in Vandenberg Village, CA.

“Stinkin’ thinkin’” isn’t what causes depression. It’s just one manifistation of this bewildering, joy-sucking, often recurring illness. The good news is that depressive illness does not last forever, even though it can feel like it. The not-so-good news is that for many people, depression is a recurrent illness that hides in the shadows and may strike without cause or warning. MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy) is an 8-week program that’s been scientifically-shown to prevent—or at least, decrease the likelihood of— recurrence in people who have suffered from 3 or more episodes of depression. It is a skill-based program that reduces the body’s vulnerability to depressive illness.

There are many causes for depression and many forms of depression, from reactive depressions to deep internal depressions. Sudden depressions as well as long lasting depressions are not to be ignored. They are serious emotional responses which can benefit extensively from appropriate counseling and therapeutic interventions. Having a caring and listening ear to talk to during a time of depressive despair can be extremely healing. It is often stated that a healthy listening relationship can heal beyond measure. There are depressions which will benefit from medical interventions along with talking interventions. In general, cared for depressions will greatly improve and most will pass.

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 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.