Depression Counseling in Cottage Lake, WA.

We all feel down sometimes. But what about when the blues just don't go away? Or what about when you feel so overwhelmed that you just feel paralyzed? Or when you have lost a sense of hope about yourself or the future...when nothing is fun anymore, and you feel down more days than not? That's a time to get some help to find your way out of the depths of despair. Our counselors at Mill Creek Family Services walk together with you through that darkness to a growing light on the other side of depression. With care and compassion, we assist you with proven strategies that help you start feeling better and living life again.

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 hits all of us at some level at some time in our lives. At a low level, we may feel blah, or describe it as the blues. At a more extreme level, depression can be downright debilitating, causing us to lose our appetites or overeat, to gain weight or lose weight. If depression has taken a hold of you to the extent that you are sleeping all the time or conversely, losing sleep, you will want to see your physician and find out if anti-depressants are in order for you. Even if your depression is not to the point of your being unable to get out of bed in the morning, don't delay in getting help. Call me at 425 652-1413 for an appointment.

I work with many clients who are depressed and am generally very good at assessing which clients would benefit from medication in addition to talk therapy and which clients would benefit from therapy alone. I am very good at relating to depressed clients and try to help them regain connection to self and others as well as find meaning in their suffering.

Depression isn't just a lack of happiness, for many, it can also be a debilitating condition that robs you of the ability to live your life to the fullest. With understanding, care, and non-judgement, I will teach you the skills you need to help you overcome your depression so you can live the life you want, with the strength and resiliency you deserve.

You did not choose depression, and it is not something that can simply be “shaken off.” Depression is real, life-altering, and can convince you that happiness or peace will never return. Yet depression does not define you. Together, we can acknowledge its weight while also challenging the painful story it tells. My role is to walk with you through the heaviness, to hold space for the difficulty, and to help you discover that hope and healing are possible. You do not have to face this alone.

We want to acknowledge how strong you are for looking for help. Our therapists cultivate a safe and nurturing environment to explore your emotions, thoughts, and behavioral patterns. Throughout therapy, you will gain valuable coping strategies to challenge negative cognitive patterns, foster self-compassion, and engage in meaningful activities that boost purpose and happiness.

Depression. It's one of the most core maladies to all of humanity. Catholic monks used to call it "acedia" or the noon day demon; robbing one's will, the ability to freely engage in life. In the modern day, we have more methods than ever to "escape" the feelings we don't like. Yet depression is one of the ones that stick around. My work focuses on facing depression while not villainizing it. I pay particular attention to both your life story and who you are here and now. Through this we can learn to work with our emotions and find new ways of dealing with the messiness of life.

Depression can be an endless weight that interferes with a sense of purpose, meaning, and connection in your life. Together, you and your therapist will explore what is contributing to your depression (cognitively, behaviorally, biologically, and situationally), brainstorm manageable solutions, build skills to implement those solutions, and create plans that support lasting change.

When depression takes over, saps all color from life, drains passion from relationships and interest in activities, takes you by the throat, squeezing your chest, deadening your limbs, making it difficult to breathe or move, I hear a cry for the authentic being within to be truly seen, heard, loved, and accepted. We work to gently help the true you rise through the layers of pain, layers of expectations and lies, layers of imposed identity, that bury your heart and spirit. We work to release or transform all those layers, creating a foundation for and affirming the worth of your authentic self and rebuilding your sense of purpose.

Depression keeps millions from gaining a sense of self and identity in the world while keeping them in darkness. Do not suffer alone. Therapy will bring to light issues you are struggling with and help you gain control of your life and meet the goals you've set for yourself. There are many ways to tackle depression, I've found that psychotherapy, self-exploration, CBT and RET works wonders with clients going through depression.

There is a way to move beyond depression and make sense of suffering. We will work together to help you develop a new and different relationship with your painful thoughts, feelings, and behaviors so you can have greater life satisfaction. Struggling with your feelings pulls you away from the life experiences you want. By learning ways to let go of the painful struggle with difficult thoughts and feelings, you are free to connect with what is meaningful to you. I want to help you become more grounded in the present moment, gain clarity on what really matters to you, and commit to living a full, satisfying life.

Depression is a devastating disease and can significantly impact everything in your life. If you suspect you or someone you know is depressed but aren't sure, contact me for a brief assessment. I can help you understand more about your struggles and how you might begin to address and overcome this terrible disease in a matter of minutes. I look forward to helping you move beyond the overwhelming and hopeless feelings of depression and into a place of peace and contentment.