Depression Counseling in Laurel, VA.

“The Impossible Task”…if you’ve ever struggled with depression you get it. Something that ought to be so easy; sending that email, taking a shower, making the kids lunch, or walking the dog feels as if it’s insurmountable. Well-meaning friends and family aren’t very helpful when they suggest things like, “Just get dressed and exercise. It’ll make you feel better.” I get it. Calling a therapist might be the hardest thing you ever do. If you can take this one step, we’ll walk the rest of the way together.

If depression is preventing you from enjoying life and functioning at your best, counseling can help. Often times, people living with depression have negative thought patterns that influence behaviors, creating a cycle that exacerbates low moods. By changing these self-defeating patterns, increasing self care, and improving coping skills, patients are able to find more enjoyment and motivation in life. Depression can feel very lonely, but you don't have to struggle alone.

When in my late 30's, I went through a serious depression & so have a real understanding of the suffering involved here, along with what can help lift that cloud off your heart. Steps: #1 Strengthen your true identity, your sense of self, apart from the depression you're enduring: (You are not the depression, you are a wondrous human being who is dealing w/ it.) #2 Examine the multi-faceted nature of your depression--its emotional, biological, mental, social & spiritual aspects & then apply every remedy the two of us can come up with! We'll use common sense, knowledge, love & creativity to help bring you out of that darkness & back into the light. There is more hope than you can imagine!

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.

Depression is a suffering that takes the joy out of life and seems endless and hopeless. It drains your self-esteem. It is a sign of a problem but it makes solving problems more difficult. Sometimes medication can help, but psychotherapy is more effective. There are several approaches to getting out of depression and I would use all of them. We can work to notice and challenge depressing thoughts. We can work with underlying trauma or loss where you may have begun to feel depressed. I can also support you to take the kind of actions that lift your mood. You will learn ways of being more nourished and fulfilled.

Taking The First Step is Always The Hardest Let us help you, and together we can defeat depression. The right approach will help you feel better and lead you to recovery. Remember that feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are symptoms of depression—not the reality of your situation. Getting support is critical for you to fight depression. Our depression therapists understand your situation & take steps to help you feel better.

Dr. Nedra Voorhies, LPC frequently works with physicians who prescribe anti-depressant medications for clients whose symptoms include sleep impairment, mood disturbance, and eating disruptions. She believes that symptom relief via medications is as important as is exploration of life circumstances that can cause disruptions in emotional well being. "No one should feel shame or fear when medications can decrease depression just as no one feels reluctance in taking insulin when necessary for control of diabetes. Depression can be relieved and not taking the necessary steps for relief, including medication and therapy causes unnecessary suffering."

Depression can make it hard to get out of bed, to be hopeful, to want to try something new. But depression can be managed. We can talk about medication and the need, or not, for it. We will discuss natural ways to combat depression and we will empower you with a belief in yourself and your abilities. We will work together to help you find hope and a desire to try again tomorrow.