Depression Counseling in Irwin, PA.

My work with depression consists largely on quick relieving of the depressive symptoms (i.e., intense sadness, lack of energy) and then, if the individual has a history of repeated depressions, an in-depth exploration to help the individual understand how she/he developed the depression and why it continues to occur. This self-knowledge is essential in arming the individual so they can reduce recurrences of the depressive symptoms (at least at their usual intensity), and to some extent in shifting their personality patterns away from the self-criticism and despair associated with depression.

I help my clients view depression as a mental, emotional, and physiological condition that can be treated with a full application of the tools, insights, and aids that are available from a variety of sources. These will include cognitive techniques to redirect unhelpful thought patterns, behavioral practices such as exercise, sleep hygiene, and life style adjustments, and social/relational interactions with significant others. We will also explore patterns of reactions to past and current life stressors that might perpetuate a cycle of depressive symptoms. If symptoms of depression are chronically severe, posing elevated risks to health or safety, I will help the client consult with a doctor to evaluate the potential use of a psychotropic medication to...(view profile to read more)

Each year millions of Americans struggle with depression, an illness that comes in many forms—from major depression and seasonal affective disorder, to dysthymia and bipolar disorder. Depression is an illness that increasingly afflicts people worldwide, interfering with many aspects of everyday functioning. It is a complex disorder, involving many systems of the body. However, depression is highly treatable. Many studies show that the most effective treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy, which addresses problematic thought patterns, with or without the use of antidepressant drugs.

With depression comes a "block" that ties you down, stopping you from achieving your conscious goals and carrying out your life tasks easily. I am compassionately aware of this and seek to remove those subconscious blocks and reprogram the mind during hypnotherapy, doing most of the "hard work" as the therapist during the clinical hypnosis process, allowing you to reduce your burden and not feel more guilty about not achieving perfection overnight! I'm here to help you!

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.