Depression Counseling in Soquel, CA.

In the years that I have been treating clients with depression, I have learned that not all depressions are equal; they have different causes. The first thing I do is rule out physical causes by asking my clients to make sure they have had a recent physical exam. Many depressions are caused by illnesses such as thyroid disease. I have many tools up my sleeve to get rid of depression. Many are in- the- moment exercises and some are dredging up past experiences.

It can often seem like society expects us to be happy and positive at all times, that any admission of sadness or a loss of motivation, energy, or engagement with life is a personal failure. But Depression isn't a personal failure, and it is also more than just "feeling sad". If you find yourself down in the hole of disconnection, surrounded by a fog that is interfering with your life and relationships, you need a hand to help you climb out. A trained therapist understands the mechanics of depression and can help you understand it and find strategies to make your way up and out of it, and back into the light. Please contact me so we can begin to work on this process together.

Depression may be hereditary, may be created by enormous stress over time, or from a recent stressor that results in an assault on one's serotonin levels. The results are symptoms of depression; poor sleep, appetite issues, bad moods or mood swings, low energy, poor focus/concentration and difficult functioning in every-day life. There are many ways to approach the problem of depression, and I usually recommend a multi-faceted approach to really solve the problem. I've helped hundreds of people with the issue in my career. People don't usually "snap out of it" and it is a serious issue. Professionals, like myself, know what to do to help you.

Does life seem bleak right now? Have you lost interest in the things you used to enjoy? Do you feel sad most of the time? Do you have little to look forward to, and a lot you’d prefer not to look back on? When you are convinced that things will never get better no matter what, you are depressed. I can give you tools and teach you how to use them to dig yourself out of the emotional ditch you’re in. It is possible to feel hope again when you know how.

Depression and chronic worry often go hand in hand and both leave us feeling helpless and alone. I work with people who are locked in cycles of repetitive, negative thinking to see that the wisdom of the body can be harnessed to help change the cycle. You can learn to listen to your body-mind's need for being accepted, encouraged, and loved, rather than harassed, put-down and pushed. Depression is the fear of doing things on the job, in relationship or in life less than perfectly. And yet perfection isn't possible. We can work together to release you from the bonds of skewed thinking. You can practice new skills, especially acceptance of yourself, other people and our human frailties.

I use a blend of cutting-edge therapeutic techniques such as sensorimotor psychotherapy, internal family systems, and object-relations psychotherapy to create a personalized healing journey. Focused on working with individuals who desire more permanent solutions to their emotional pain, my approach to depression therapy is as compassionate as it is transformative. By engaging with these specifically tailored methods, clients find themselves nurtured, understood, and empowered, unlocking new pathways to well-being and joy. This personalized care provides clients with a value-driven and life-enhancing experience that goes beyond traditional therapy.

Depression affects millions of people worldwide. Depression can leave you feeling disconnected with yourself and others, frozen in time, and without purpose. Therapy for depression starts with understanding how your symptoms are affecting you. Behavioral activation is a tool for helping to lift your mood. Understanding what may be causing your depression will help you move toward change, self-expression, relief, self-awareness, meaning making, and growth. Healing from depression will result in more vitality, direction, appreciation, and joy.

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.

Depression can make it difficult to reach out, but in a safe and supportive space you can find ways to heal and to move out of the heavy and dark place into a richer life in which connecting with others becomes easy and enjoyable. Therapy can be the first step in connecting with another person to look at the various reasons that can cause depression and to find and practice resources that will lead out of the depression.

In depression treatment with me, you will feel that you are deeply heard, that your symptoms are understood, and that your process is respected. Initially, I will teach you some valuable skills to help you take the edge off of your depression to make way for deeper healing. By experiencing compassion and receiving effective coaching in sessions, you will be able to begin to process your pain more effectively so that you can let it go and move toward more consistent happiness and satisfying relationships. Call me with any questions or to schedule an initial appointment.

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.

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.

I help clients explore the root causes of their depression, which can often be complex and multifaceted. By uncovering underlying issues, clients can gain a deeper understanding of their emotions and behaviors. Clients learn strategies to manage and regulate intense emotions associated with depression. These skills empower clients to navigate emotional challenges more effectively. I offer tools to cope with stress and life challenges, reducing the impact of stressors on depressive symptoms. I use CBT, acceptance & commitment therapy to help break negative patterns for my clients who are dealing with depression. When depression is tied to past trauma, I also use EMDR.

Depression can be painful for the person suffering from it as well as those closest to them. When we are depressed, previously enjoyable activities can appear meaningless. We lose interest in connecting with others (often exacerbating symptoms). Furthermore, it can feel as though there is "no point" to life. We all have periods of time when we feel less than ideal, but depression is severe and enduring. Counseling provides an atmosphere where it is safe to discuss these feelings.

I work with a depressed nervous system by working with the body. Often we struggle to sleep, eat, or accomplish relatively simple tasks. Our bodies are stuck with the brake on. When our body thinks it is futile, out mind follows quickly thereafter and we begin to tell ourselves how pointless things are and how worthless we are. I work with the whole body to re-regulate the body to enable you to get back to a whole integrated self.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest that can interfere with daily functioning. Reaching out for help is a step towards wellness. Symptoms of depression can vary from person to person, but it is a very treatable condition. Therapy for depression helps you overcome the feelings of hopelessness and despair and to gain control of your life.

When struggling with depression, almost all areas of life can become affected and very difficult to manage. I can support your depression recovery by helping you increase behaviors that support a positive change in your mood, helping you change patterns of negative thinking, and also help break life-long held beliefs that keep one stuck. You deserve compassionate and attentive support, and you are capable of change, although this can feel incredibly difficult when depression is present. But recovery is quite possible, and I can support you.

Depression can be a very difficult emotion to feel, to understand, to cope with and to heal from. As we work together, we begin to explore your experiences and relationships from the past to understand what might be happening in the present that may still need healing. As well as, understand your feelings in the moment to provide relief, comfort and support.

Depression feels like walking through mud. We lose ourselves and wonder if we will ever be found again. Often depression is a result of unexpressed negative emotions (which we were never allowed to safely express in our family of origin - so we swallowed it instead). I am very comfortable with the shame and humility that the human condition sometimes hands us - and I can sit with my clients while they work through unexpressed sadnesses - and ultimately find joy in their lives.

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.