Depression Counseling in Los Altos, CA.

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.

Are you struggling with sadness, loss of motivation, low energy, feeling down, hopelessness or helplessness? Life these days are not easy and can bring on depression and loneliness. I want to be a support to you and help you through this part of your life. I will help you find hope and identify coping skills to manage your symptoms. It would be my pleasure to walk by your side and find a new path of hopefulness!

For clients experiencing depression, I help them explore both external and internal circumstances that are impacting their mental health and look for relationships in their lives that are impeding the healing process. Then we do relational work together to move out of a place of hopelessness and helplessness into a place of strength and empowerment.

Are you feeling sad? Hopeless? Worthless? Are you struggling to find motivation? How about the energy needed to connect with friends? Or are you feeling isolated? All of these (and more) are very common symptoms of depression. As your therapist, I will use CBT therapy to improve your quality of life. I love using CBT for depression because it makes common sense. We learn to notice those negative thoughts. Then we learn together which thoughts are hurting you and causing you to feel emotional pain. Lastly, we work together to change and replace those thoughts with something better. It's not a magical cure, but this is a long-standing and proven technique for depression and I find it helpful!

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.

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.

Has anyone ever implied you should just "snap out of" depression? Oh, boy, do they not understand! If depression is keeping you from living the life you want, I can help. I understand that depression is a complex emotional, physical, and psychological disease. Often historical, genetic and environmental factors contribute to depression. Together we can sort out those complex factors and address them one by one. Depression is not your fault, nor is it a moral failing. You can feel better. You can feel alive again. Studies show that even contacting a therapist can give you hope. Give it a try. I'm waiting to hear from you.