Depression Counselling in Lions Bay, BC.

In the treatment of depression, we explore the factors that contributed to depression. This process includes helping my clients to identify the unhelpful and painful emotions and transform them in to helpful ones which relatively results in change in healthy behaviours. Most of us are unaware of the suffering and painful underlying emotions . By creating an empathic and safe space, I ease the difficulty of exploration. In addition, I help the clients work to access deep down unmet needs and to bring resilient responses in face of difficult situations.

Depression is a medical term that describes a mood but if we simply look at the overall meaning of the word, it means to "press down". Clearly, a person who suffers from 'depression' fits the definition as a 'person who is pressed down'. i am NOT arguing that depression is a simple issue, rather that there are REASONS that a person feels 'pressed down' and at least part of the process of recovery is to first identify then lift the burden that is 'pressing down' the person.

Depression is a state of mind that effects most people at some point in our lives. Often, symptoms of depression include a loss of interest in things that once made us happy, sleep disturbance or abundance, change in appetite, and dark thoughts. People can experience depression for many many reasons including postpartum depression, situational, relationship loss or difficulties, loneliness, seasonal affective disorder, teen depression,isolation and many more reasons. There are many treatments for depression, beginning with talking to someone about your experience. In some cases, talking to your doctor about medication helps combined with therapy to help deal with the sadness.

Many adults and children will encounter depression at some point in their life. One of the crucial elements of healing is talking your feelings through with a trusted professional. I can help you combat your depression by addressing the feelings themselves and the issues that cause them. I offer a combination of focusing on solutions and supporting you through the difficult times. We will work together to resolve your current issues, free you from the many symptoms of depression and develop a strategy to prevent it in the future. I work with a holistic approach that is tailored to you. Contact me to start making changes today.

Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless, or constantly tired? Are you struggling with a sadness that won't lift, losing interest in things you once loved, or trapped in a cycle of negative thoughts? I get it. Depression is tough. But with the right support, you can find joy again, rediscover motivation, and build resilience. As a clinical counsellor, I'm here to help you reclaim your life with compassionate, results-oriented therapy using proven techniques. Let’s take this journey together. Book your free 15-minute phone consultation today and start moving towards a brighter, more empowered future.

Modern populations are increasingly overfed, malnourished, sedentary, sunlight-deficient, sleep-deprived, and socially-isolated. Research is showing that depressed people who put time and energy into activities that will help them recover have a higher recovery rate. Things that can help improve mood and feelings are: physical exercise, diet, managing our thoughts and feelings, self-care, social contact, improving our body 'clock' and mindfulness. None of them work like a magic cure, but when used regularly and in combination, they will help you feel much better. Everyone's mood fluctuates, so even if you put these things into practice, you will still have bad days. Be patient, it takes time

Depression is not only a mental problem, it is also a physical one - often leaving you with fatigue and lack of motivation to do anything. The first step to healing depression is building inner and outer resources for immediate symptom relief. This includes self- care, especially physical exercise along with mindful awareness of your internal experience . The next step is challenging those distorted beliefs and perceptions of yourself and the world. You can get better soon.

Our practice incorporates the compassionate inquiry approach to delve deeper into the underlying factors contributing to depression. Additionally, we utilize approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and other approaches to assist clients in developing awareness of the thoughts that lead to feelings of depression. Furthermore, we integrate positive psychology techniques to promote well-being and resilience.

I work with clients to manage symptoms of depression, which can be accompanied with a sense of helplessness and hopelessness that can create a negative valence around an individual’s daily functioning. A persistent feeling of sadness and doom can be accompanied with a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyable. While the causes of depression can be related to brain chemistry, genetics, stressful life events, and medical conditions, CBT can be effective in identifying the interactions between one’s thoughts, behaviours, emotions, and their environment. Healthy coping mechanisms such as eating healthy, exercise, adequate sleep, and managing stress levels can help combat depression

Depression can be experienced in a multitude of ways and often differently by each person. Depression can leave an individual feeling overwhelmed, a loss interested in activities that they used to enjoy, feel a lack of energy, have difficulty sleeping, experienced pronounced weight changes, and even serious illness. You do not have to suffer or feel alone. We will work with you to uncover the elements to your depression and help you to regain enjoyment and satisfaction in your life.

Therapy is a place for all matters of the heart, body and soul. Depression can range from mild to completely disabling, and the root causes varied and individual. While medical support can be helpful, therapy can help us get to the root of what we are emotionally 'depressing'. I believe in the mind/body connection which includes both, helping a client to access practical tools for coping day to day as well as exploring the deeper emotions stored in the body that might be contributing to the depression. From a deeply compassionate and client centred approach within the therapeutic connection the client feels less alone offering them hope as they navigate their depression.

Depression can be effectively treated through evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Both treatments have been extensively researched and proven to be effective in clinical trials. As someone who is trained in both of these treatments, I help individuals manage their depression symptoms, improve their functioning, and experience an improved quality of life.

I view depression primarily as a response to dissatisfaction with life circumstances. Therefore, I believe it is within one's control to identify the cause of this dissatisfaction, sadness and low mood, and use both cognitive and behavioural strategies to enhance life. The sequence in which I find most successful for people struggling with depression is first understanding the nature of where their depressive symptoms come from, then encourage meaningful life changes along with a shift in perspective about how one is situated in the world. Together, we will build off what we know and what works to overcome a depressive mood and aim towards maintaining greater joy in life.

When I use narrative therapy to work with clients experiencing depression, I focus on helping them re-author the stories they tell about themselves and their lives. So often, depression is tied to dominant narratives that make people feel powerless, unworthy, or stuck. Together, we work to externalize the problem—separating them from their depression—so they can see it as something they’re facing, not something that defines who they are. This opens up space for us to explore alternative stories that highlight their resilience, strengths, and values. By shifting the focus from what feels wrong to what’s possible, I aim to help them reclaim a sense of agency and nurture a more hopeful view.

Are you a gay man struggling with depression? Depression can feel so overwhelming for a lot of gay men that it feels like nothing will help. And the truth is, up to this point there may not have been anything that feels like it’s helped you on your unique journey as a gay man. I help gay men with depression by first teaching easy and effective tools that begin to break the cycle of depression. From there, I work with clients to maintain their shift out of depression, and explore the roots of their depression so that they can remain free from depression long term.

Among other things, depression is a stagnation, a lack of forward motion. I side with the cognitive behaviour therapists, who say that behavioural activation is a valuable treatment. Learn about what activities bring you joy or peace or relief. Then, give those activities a larger role in your life. I could just say "activity" over and over here, because that is what will help most. Activity, activity, activity...

Depression and the feeling of being overwhelmed, scared and even paralyzed are real. The good news is that depression is treatable. Identifying the reasons behind depression, understanding the inner tensions that create depression are the necessary steps to move into a hope-filled life. Being able to look forward to the day ahead, living out your hopes and dreams is achievable.

Depression is often associated with negative beliefs about oneself and the world, and EMDR can help to desensitize and reprocess these negative beliefs, leading to a more adaptive and positive worldview. Through the use of bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, EMDR can help to process the distressing memories and beliefs, reducing the intensity of the emotional response and increasing emotional resilience. By addressing the underlying negative beliefs, EMDR can help to alleviate symptoms of depression and improve overall mood and well-being.

No two people experience depression in exactly the same way and so dealing with it also needs an individual approach. Rather than viewing depression as something wrong with the person experiencing it, the client and I listen to what it might have to say to them. Though understandably, nobody likes depression, and it can be managed with tools such as Cognitive Behavioural therapy and mindfulness, etc., it can also be engaged through other approaches that allow its importance and meaning (and what it is calling for) is revealed. This can bring greater richness, wisdom, and appreciation for life.

Depression is a shut down of our connection to ourselves. It was so important at one time for depression to help protect you from other feelings that were too painful to bear. But then it came seem to overtake everything else in your life. If you would like to start to understand why your depression came in and who you are underneath the depression, please reach out. A combination of approaches tailored to you can help you connect to yourself and release the layers of depression.

As someone who has a history of depression personally and intergenerationally, I am well aware of the great challenges and opportunities for growth that this experience can bring. For those struggling with depression, healing can feel elusive, as if nothing will ever work. It often requires a wider lens, an eye for patterns and a deeply supportive and holistic orientation to shift this dynamic. My approach comes from my years of experience moving through and finally out of my own depression and integrating the ancestral patterns that laid the foundation for it in my life. I now come to you with a wide-reaching tool kit to support you in your journey.

In Depression Counselling and Treatment, my approach is rooted in compassion, evidence-based techniques, and a deep understanding of the complex nature of depression. I work collaboratively with clients to create a safe and nonjudgmental space where they can openly explore their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Through a combination of CBT strategies, mindfulness techniques, and tailored interventions, clients can expect to gain valuable insights into the underlying causes of their depression and develop practical coping skills. Together, we work towards reducing symptoms, increasing resilience, and ultimately helping clients regain a sense of control and well-being.

I use cognitive behavioral therapy against depression. This is a very effective tool. Many people feel depressed because their thoughts are negative, catastrophic, black and white or overgeneralized. I believe that negative, irrational thoughts create hopeless and depressed feelings which create negative behaviors. Clients are amazed how much better they feel when they change their irrational thoughts for more rational and realistic ones.

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.

Have you been feeling very depressed, unmotivated, hopeless or stuck? Do you want to free yourself from the vortex of depression? EMDR therapy and hypnotherapy are very powerful tools used to help you break free from your depression. You can start to feel joy, hope and excitement again! You feel motivated and become more engaged in life. You can begin to feel better about yourself and the world around you! EMDR and hypnotherapy can help you look at the root causes of your depression. These methods can facilitate the release of buried emotions such as shame, guilt, worthlessness or resentment. They both can help you change your mindset, then change your life! Call 778-548-7345!