Depression Counseling in Carpinteria, CA.

When you’re depressed, it can feel like you’ll never get out from under its shadow. However, depression is a treatable problem. If your depression is keeping you from living the life you want to, don’t hesitate to contact me. Learning about your depression treatment options will help you decide what approach is right for you. From therapy to medication to healthy lifestyle changes, there are many effective treatments that can help you overcome depression and reclaim your life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has shown in studies to have the best results for depression because it is a practical, hands-on method for challenging automatic negative thoughts.

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!

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.

When you’re depressed it makes life feel like you’re walking through mud, everything is more difficult and tiring and you feel less motivated to do anything. This can make depression incredibly difficult to deal with because it requires taking action to overcome. I have personal and professional experience in recovery from this unpleasant disorder, which gives me an edge and helping people to heal from depression.

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.

Most people will be faced with an episode of depression at least once in their lives. When you first come in we explore whether the depressive feelings are based in the past or the result of current events. Sometimes people who present with depression seem to have unresolved child hood issues. Together we find ways of bringing closure to these unexplored and unexpressed 'childhood wounds'. Clients often report a new sense of joy and more vitality after feelings of sadness, grief or anger have been expressed. Also relationships with parents and or other loved ones usually greatly improve. If the depression is based in current affairs we often use behavioral therapy to increase your coping.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by life? Has the joy been taken out of things you used to enjoy? Common symptoms of depression in adults and children are feelings of sadness, lack of energy, changes in eating or sleeping, and being self-critical. Gently, we can approach these feelings and begin to understand them. Through connecting and understanding them, they can begin to transform them. Some techinques that I have found helpful are mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, somatic awareness, and expressive therapies like drawing, sand tray, or collage. Depression can feel heavy and isolating, and you don't need to handle it alone.

Depression is a common mental health disorder, affecting all age groups, that causes intense & persistent feelings of hopelessness, sadness and personal emptiness. Depression affects how you feel, think, behave and could lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems, left untreated. If you are struggling with depression you don't have to be alone, seeking help is the first step to improving your symptoms. Psychotherapy has shown to improve the symptoms of depression. Together will develop a comprehensive treatment plan specific to your concerns, needs and symptoms to improve the quality of your life.

First, it's important to me to understand what my clients mean by "depression" because how one client experiences depression can be very different than another client. This is necessary so I can customize the strategies I use for each specific client based on their unique experience of depression. Ultimately, my clients can expect to discover real-world steps they can take to feel not just "less depressed" but better about their life - and more positive and hopeful.

When one is depressed the range of thoughts and feelings encompass a wide spectrum. Sadness and despair might be pervasive. One can feel as if they have fallen into a deep dark pit where everything is covered in negativity and hopelessness. In this state, one can feel inadequate, discouraged, unable or unwilling to make decisions. In addition, guilt, shame, profound low self-esteem and loss of interest in relationships, sex, career and even life itself are commonly found. A variety of evidence-based tools, specific to the needs of the individual, applied skillfully at the right time, can dramatically lift one out of that deep, dark pit and help avoid relapse.

Depression is often anger turned inward rather than expressed appropriately in an outward direction. We integrate cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic (family of origin focused) therapeutic approaches to support clients in reducing their depressive symptoms, increasing feelings of motivation and expanding one’s sense of purpose to begin actualizing their life visions with confidence.

Depression can be debilitating and lonely. I understand the complexities of depression and have found that my psychodynamic, psychoanalytically-minded technique is very successful in treating depression. I have found psychotherapy to be very effective in helping individuals find a way to overcome their struggles and reclaim energy and purpose in their lives.

Depression can hit all of us at times. If you have depression either clinically or circumstantially because of something that's happened to you I can help you to work through it and get back to a better feeling place about your life. I felt literally hundreds of people work through their depression and learn skills to deal with symptoms of lack of motivation, problems with her sleep, extended anxiety that leads to frustration and feelings of defeat. Having a better life takes action and change. If you have depression give me a call and let's work on this together to make the changes you need to live the life you want.

TIRED OF FEELING DOWN ALL THE TIME? Are you struggling with insecurities, stress, and self-doubts? Are you stuck in some strange vicious cycles? I can help you go deep and identify the source of your unhappiness, take charge of your life and move on to happiness, empowerment and meaning... Counseling can help you overcome sadness, and destructive emotions. Call me for a free telephone consultation session.

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

Working with the experience of depression is much more than changing our thoughts to change our behavior. Our brains are wired to notice the negative; it's part of our survival. I support my clients in expanding what they notice, and help them discover what works for them by creating a tool kit through experiential relational interventions in session. When I see children, I utilize play therapy as the modality, including Child Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and Prescriptive Play Therapy. When working with adolescents and adults, I utilize expressive arts, DBT, CBT and Narrative Therapy.