Depression Counseling in Hillsboro, OR.

Even though we talk a lot about depression in our culture, it's actually not well understood. No two people will have the same experience of depression, and if someone hasn't experienced it personally, it can be hard to understand why it is difficult for a depressed person to function "normally". My approach to treating depression involves understanding where it comes from, and addressing that underlying root cause. I don't want you to settle for symptom reduction, but actual healing. Reach out if you want to learn more!

If you find yourself in an everlasting state of feeling down, blue, lethargic, despairing, or stuck, welcome to the the realm of depression. The good news is that just like physical pain, depression is an emotional pain, it is a symptom and not a bad thing in and of itself. It is there to tell you that something is not quite right. Just like when we feel physical pain, and we check that part of the body to see what damage may have been done in order to help ourselves, the same is true with emotional pain. Since depression is one of the most common and wide encompassing emotions, it can be a murky one to work with. In the therapy setting I will help you get to know this dark place with you.

Part of what makes depression so, well, depressing, is the crushing weight of pessimism holding your head under water. Pessimism makes it easy to believe that nothing will work out, and everything is pointless. WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND WHO YOU ARE AND LEARN HOW TO COPE, LIFE GETS BETTER. These things start to happen: You enjoy life more. You feel more relaxed. You feel closer to your friends and loved ones. You feel happy, calm, and mindful more of the time. You’re able to focus on your goals. You know that you are good enough, capable and whole.

Do you feel defeated by life? Do you have low energy and low self-esteem? I will work with you to heal the negativity that keeps you mired in a rut of self-criticism and a sense of failure. With compassion and complete acceptance, I will help you find the energy and motivation to tackle the obstacles in your way to achieving what you really want in life and experiencing peaceful contentment.

Research shows that the most effective treatment for depression is psychotherapy. Depression can range from feeling down to major symptoms such as having trouble even getting out of bed or contemplating suicide (if you have suicidal thoughts or plans, call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1-800-273-8255). Online counseling is effective for depression because it is easy to access: you can start treatment without even leaving the house.

Since 1980, Pacific University's Pacific Psychology Clinic has provided outpatient assessment and therapy services to children, adolescents, adults, couples and families in Portland, Hillsboro, Beaverton and the surrounding metropolitan area. We offer counseling and therapy for depression, anxiety, relationship problems, PTSD, and a wide range of other concerns. We also offer testing and assessment for learning disabilities, ADHD, and diagnostic clarification.

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$50 for intake, sliding scale for therapy sessions, $500 for learning disability, adhd, dementia & neuropsychological assessments

At some point in our lives we experience sadness or depression. This emotion can be triggered by a passing of a loved one or just feeling stuck. That makes everyday activities, such as getting out of bed, engaging with family and friends, focusing on work, enjoying favorite hobbies difficult. In a safe, caring, and compassionate environment, I’ll help you identify and explore depression triggers. Together will create coping strategies that manage your symptoms. You are not alone! I can help! Call or text me today.

Clients who come indue to patterns of depression, ask me how they can shrug off the heavy oppressive feeling that they live with on a regular basis. Many of them are tired of being tired. I remind them that the act of making and keeping an appointment is a big hurdle and congratulate them on reaching out for a collaborative professional hand. We co-discover their daily and seasonal patterns as an important first step. I work closely and compassionately with Clients to increase their awareness of how their thoughts and body are intimately connected.Through mindfulness meditation techniques and learning to be in the present moment, people begin to see the light at the end tunnel.

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.

The symptoms and causes of depression are unique to the individual who experiences them. It is important to consider the unique circumstances of the whole person. This means considering biological factors, social factors, emotional factors, spiritual factors, and thought patterns that may be leading to depression. I help clients explore the root of their symptoms and help them develop strategies for dealing with their symptoms and root causes. I address shame and help clients move towards greater self-compassion throughout the healing process.

Depression can be completely debilitating. If you are suffering from depression, you've probably heard "what do you have to be depressed about?" from well-intentioned loved ones. The negative stigma that society places on those suffering from depression may have prevented you from seeking out help in the past. I recognize that depression is very real, and is NOT a character flaw. Together, we will explore your past as well as the dynamics of your present life to identify experiences or underlying unmet needs that may be contributing to your depression, and work together to determine the most effective way to alleviate your emotional and physical pain.