Depression Counseling in Oakbrook Terrace, IL.

Depression can leave you feeling physically and emotionally exhausted. It can be hard to complete simple tasks, go to work or care for ourselves; being overloaded with thoughts has zapped your energy. But, there's hope for a way out through therapy. I utilize Cognitive and dialectical behavior therapies, Acceptance and Commitment therapy, and person centered therapy to help you overcome the internal battle that keeps you from getting better.

When it comes to treating people with depression, we pinpoint life events that contribute to your trauma. Afterwards we help you find ways to change or adapt and cope your day to day situations. We will guide you on how to overcome feeling of hopelessness, isolation, anger, and provide solutions on how to deal with discouraging and negative thoughts.

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.

My approach will vary depending on the severity of the depression. The first importance is stability of well being. From there I will work on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors working towards short terms goals. Goals will include small behavior changes that will help to be building blocks and also cognitive work on realistic truths. Often things like sleep, nutrition, and exercise are also evaluated and improved in the process as ways to counter depression.

As a mental health professional of considerable experience I've worked with individuals and couples with issues of demoralization, depressed mood and various forms of acute and long-standing depression. Depression isn't only an individual matter. as it sucks the life out of a couple and a family. In our work together clients often find hope by actively discussing their life issues, often their shame and anger at themselves and others for the predicaments they are a part of. Depression can be harmful medically and medical issues can cause depression. It can kill. I work well with the medical community, referring when necessary,

Isolation feeds depression and then also becomes a breeding ground for negative thought patterns. In session, we challenge those thought processes and take baby steps towards leaving isolation, hopelessness, and helplessness. As your therapist, we do not want you to be alone; we will work to develop skills and techniques that benefit you and that challenge the fog that you may feel that you are stuck in. These skills and techniques are practiced in session and often suggested that it be continued to be practiced outside of session. Then, we regroup, process, and re-strategize as needed.

Depressive symptoms can stem from a variety of sources in an individual’s life usually reflecting a sense of loss. While medications can be helpful, it’s the behavioral symptoms associated with depression that can leave a lingering impact even after the depressive symptoms have stated to improve. Being pulled into depressive experiences over and over reflects both habits that can be difficult to break and/or subconscious issues that have yet to be addressed. Through processes such as hypnotherapy that address the whole person, we are able to capture a wider range of challenges and help the individual to regain the ground lost to he depressive illness.

Depression can be paralyzing and make it challenging to have the motivation to take care of daily life activities. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can provide insight to your emotions and help with identify values that you want to live by. We can work together to not allow depressive symptoms to determine how you live your life. We will identify commitments that will build positive experiences and decrease depressive symptoms. The first step and often the most difficult is making an appointment and coming in for your first session, and you will begin feeling better once you do!

Depression can be debilitating. Dealing with loss of energy, difficulty concentrating, hopelessness, feeling worthless, low mood, and overall difficulty dealing with the day to day can be a symptom of depression. Through counseling I can help provide you relief from depression. I will help you identify ways your thinking is impacting your mood and offer your tools to help correct your thinking. I will also teach you new ideas/concepts that will help you make changes to your thinking and mood.

Depression is an intruder. It gets in the way of personal happiness and pursuits. Depression also interferes in interpersonal relationships. So how do you deal with this intruder? Either you manage depression or it manages you. I assist my clients in developing coping strategies to manage depression so that it is less intrusive. Using modified thinking and acting strategies, individuals report improved mood and energy. I often hear my clients report, "I feel like myself again!"

I use traditional cognitive behavioral (CBT) approaches and third-wave mindfulness based CBT approaches in the treatment of Depression. These are considered evidence-based treatments. Importantly, I conduct a thorough assessment of depression symptoms as part of my intake procedures to determine the best course of treatment. I then collaborate closely with my clients to develop their treatment plan.

Sometimes people feel depresed and can atribute it to stressful events that have occured, other times people can't quite put their finger on why they feel depressed, they just know they're not happy, feel unmotivated, and in some cases hopeless and helpless. What we now know about neuroscience helps us understand how and why depression occurs. I will help you determine whether your depression can be improved through talk therapy combined with some changes to your daily routine or whether a clinical depression has set in that may respond well to medication too. I have a wonderful, caring Doctor I work with who will assess clinical depression and offer recommendaitons if necessary.

Depression can leave you feeling drained, disconnected, and hopeless. But healing is possible. In our work together, you’ll gain tools to shift negative thinking, reconnect with joy, and rediscover your strengths. I provide a safe and supportive space where you won’t be judged or rushed—just gently guided toward renewed motivation, healthier coping strategies, and emotional relief.