About seasonal affective disorder (sad)
On this page you can browse therapists who focus on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and list approaches and experience relevant to seasonal mood changes. Use the filters below to narrow results by approach, credentials, language, and region to explore practitioner profiles.
What to compare in entries
| Credentials | A US state licence, or membership of a professional body such as BACP or NCPS. They are different kinds of thing; each profile shows what was supplied. |
|---|---|
| Focus | Whether seasonal affective disorder (sad) is listed as a main focus or among the wider list of areas. Entries show both. |
| Way of working | The approaches named on the entry. Two people working with the same concern can describe very different sessions. |
| Time in practice | Years in practice, as supplied. A fact to weigh, not a ranking. |
| Language | The languages sessions can be held in, where that matters to you. |
Common questions
How were these entries chosen?
Everyone listed on this page has seasonal affective disorder (sad) among the areas they told the platform they work with. They are not ranked, rated or endorsed by this directory, and the order is not a recommendation.
Do I need a referral to start?
No. You can contact a therapist through their entry directly. A GP referral is not required for independent online therapy.
What if the first therapist is not right?
Changing therapist is normal and expected, and can be done at any point. One session is a small sample of how someone works.
Entries for seasonal affective disorder (sad)
Angela Neary, BACP
Ref 109659
Experienced person-centred counsellor with practical support
Works with: Addictions, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRoseanne Jackson, LCSW, LCSW-R
Ref 54688
Compassionate, practical help for big life stressors
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingCleo Irish Zorrilla, BACP
Ref 258501
Compassionate, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDr. Wanetta "Nita" Hughes Bise, LPC
Ref 7050
Therapist focused on practical support
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingMary Smith Tyler, LCSW, CSW
Ref 170206
Supportive Georgia licensed social worker
Works with: Relationship, Family, Parenting Languages: English
View listingYumi Lemaster, LCSW
Ref 2633
Skilled, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingWilliam Signey, BACP
Ref 113870
Practical, person-focused counselling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingMelody Hatter, LCSW, CSW, LISW
Ref 123632
Practical support for anxiety and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJanet Hardin, LCSW
Ref 55726
Practical, compassionate support for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Bipolar Languages: English
View listingJonetta Wakely, LPC
Ref 124539
Practical, listening-focused counseling for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJonathan Stuart, NCPS
Ref 175272
Practical, respectful support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingBrittany Elledge, LPCC, LMHC
Ref 11729
Practical, client-centered support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDawn Nunney, NCPS
Ref 97317
Compassionate person-centred counselling with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingLiisa Hiltunen, PACFA
Ref 317033
Calm practical therapy with coaching focus
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKatelyn McCrady, LPC
Ref 345230
Calm, practical counseling for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingCarol Broad, NCPS
Ref 128573
Calm, practical counselling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingShannon Mott, LCSW
Ref 108724
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJessica Sullivan, BACP
Ref 94142
Compassionate counsellor focused on practical change
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJames Hagins, LPC
Ref 233524
Compassionate, practical therapy for life transitions
Works with: Grief, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingKendall Jones, LCSW
Ref 106192
Compassionate LCSW focused on practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingTammy Russell, LMHC
Ref 181426
Compassionate, practical therapy for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJennifer Blaney-Sutton, BACP
Ref 225637
Collaborative psychotherapist for adult challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingDarwin Allen, LCPC
Ref 125869
Direct, practical counseling for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingAnnie Taylor, NCPS
Ref 153305
Experienced client-centred counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingMarilee Frazier, LPC
Ref 257654
Compassionate counselor for adults seeking practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJill Malcolm, BACP
Ref 231136
Gentle practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingJennifer Mcpherson (Norman), BACP
Ref 161239
Experienced relationship and trauma counsellor
Works with: Relationship, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMatt Lightfoot, NCPS
Ref 193161
Person-centred counsellor who values meaning and choice
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingAngela Winter, BACP
Ref 175271
Counselling focused on rebuilding confidence
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMark McConnell, BACP
Ref 208651
Practical support for stress and change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingDawn Redwood, NCPS
Ref 137085
Client-centred counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, ADHD Languages: English
View listingDiane Trosch, LPC
Ref 80275
Simple practical help for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDale Thompson, LCSW, CSW
Ref 341301
Practical, experienced help for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDarla McAdams, LPC
Ref 58935
Practical, person-focused counseling in Missouri
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, LGBT Languages: English
View listingFaith Beaulieu, LCMHC
Ref 23986
Somatic-minded counselor for focused change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingApril Vandiver, LPC
Ref 229121
Compassionate counselor helping people move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingSally Smith, LPC
Ref 338970
Practical therapy for stress and relationships
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingStacey Sugar, MD, LCPC, LPCC
Ref 2629
Relationship-focused therapist who values authentic change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingKerrie McCabe, BACP
Ref 128546
Compassionate counsellor blending listening with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDonna Khan, LMSW
Ref 29669
Experienced social worker focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingStella Sacarello, BACP
Ref 261216
Person-centred counsellor for life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Grief Languages: English
View listingDawn Meadow, LPC
Ref 76208
Calm, practical counseling for lifes hard moments
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJosephine Sultana, AASW
Ref 309775
Compassionate social worker blending therapy and lifestyle care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Sleeping Languages: English
View listingLoire Bennett, LMHC
Ref 25344
Experienced Florida LMHC focused on practical growth
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Grief Languages: English
View listingTeneka Gerido, LPC
Ref 203172
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSidonia Stiles, BACP
Ref 101572
Experienced counsellor for relationships and grief
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English, Portuguese
View listingConnie Seth, LISW
Ref 206834
Seasoned Iowa LISW focused on practical coping
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingReuben Alexander, NCPS
Ref 212721
Practical, focused therapy for anxious and stuck feelings
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Sleeping, Depression Languages: English
View listingMore about seasonal affective disorder (sad)
What Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is and how it commonly affects people
Seasonal Affective Disorder, often called SAD, refers to recurring mood changes that follow a seasonal pattern, most commonly appearing during the fall and winter months. You may notice a predictable shift in your energy, mood, sleep, appetite, or motivation when the seasons change. For many people the experience can feel like a heavier, longer-lasting form of the low mood you might sometimes have, and it can impact daily routines, work performance, relationships, and your sense of enjoyment.
People describe SAD in different ways. Some feel a gradual dimming of mood and social withdrawal, while others notice significant increases in sleep and appetite or a strong craving for carbohydrate-rich foods. Concentration and interest in activities you usually enjoy can wane, and tasks that once felt manageable can begin to feel burdensome. Because these patterns return in a predictable seasonal cycle, you may start to anticipate the difficult months and adjust your life around them, which can increase stress and reduce quality of life over time.
It is important to remember that seasonal mood changes exist on a spectrum. For some people symptoms are mild and manageable with small changes in routine. For others symptoms are more disruptive and can make it harder to carry out responsibilities or maintain relationships. Therapy can offer tools to reduce the burden of seasonal shifts and help you plan coping strategies that fit your life and values.
Signs that you might benefit from therapy for SAD
If you notice a clear seasonal pattern in how you feel, therapy may be a useful resource to help you cope. You might benefit from working with a therapist when the symptoms you experience cause you to withdraw from friends or family, interfere with your work or school responsibilities, or make it hard to take care of daily tasks. Other signs that therapy could help include persistent low mood during certain seasons, significant changes in sleep or appetite, loss of interest in activities you normally enjoy, trouble concentrating, or an increase in irritability and stress.
Therapy can also be helpful if you find yourself adopting avoidant behaviors, such as spending more time indoors or using substances to manage mood. If you notice that seasonal changes are shaping the choices you make about relationships, work, or social activities, talking with a professional can help you identify patterns, test small changes, and develop strategies that reduce the impact of seasonal shifts. You don’t need to wait until symptoms are extreme to seek support; early intervention can make it easier to manage seasonal transitions and maintain a routine that supports your well-being.
What to expect in therapy sessions focused on SAD
Your first sessions will typically involve discussing your history with seasonal mood changes, how symptoms show up in your daily life, and what you hope to get out of therapy. Expect a collaborative conversation where you and the therapist map out the timing, severity, and triggers of your seasonal symptoms, as well as strengths and resources you already use. This assessment helps shape a plan that fits your schedule and goals, and it provides a baseline for tracking progress across seasons.
As therapy continues you will likely work on practical strategies to manage mood and activity levels. Sessions may include goal-setting, experimenting with behavioral changes, tracking patterns in sleep and energy, and building routines that support your well-being during vulnerable months. A therapist may help you rehearse communication skills to maintain social connections during times when you feel withdrawn, and they may support you in breaking down tasks that seem overwhelming so you can gradually re-engage with important activities.
Therapy for seasonal concerns often balances short-term coping techniques with longer-term skills for resilience. You can expect the pace to reflect what feels useful for you, with regular reviews of what’s working and adjustments as your needs shift. If other forms of care, such as consultation with a prescriber or lifestyle changes, are relevant to your situation, a therapist can help you weigh options and coordinate care without making decisions for you.
Common therapeutic approaches used for SAD
Therapists address seasonal mood changes using a range of approaches, often combining methods to match your needs. Cognitive behavioral strategies are commonly used to help you notice thought patterns that make seasonal low mood worse and test more balanced ways of thinking. You might work with a therapist who lists cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, among their approaches to practice small experiments and behavioral changes that can lift mood and increase activity during difficult months.
Behavioral activation is another approach frequently used with seasonal mood concerns. This work focuses on scheduling meaningful and reinforcing activities that counteract withdrawal and low motivation. Some therapists include mindfulness-based practices to help you become more aware of how seasonal shifts affect your body and attention, and to build tolerance for uncomfortable feelings without getting pulled into avoidance. Interpersonal approaches can help when seasonal changes strain your relationships or daily roles, by strengthening communication and social supports.
Light-related interventions and lifestyle adjustments are commonly discussed in tandem with psychotherapy, though they are not therapy techniques themselves. You can expect a therapist to talk with you about routines, sleep hygiene, daylight exposure, and activity patterns as part of a comprehensive plan. When medication or other medical options are relevant, therapists often work alongside prescribers to offer coordinated care rather than replacing medical advice.
How online therapy works for SAD and tips for choosing the right therapist
Online therapy can be a practical option if you want to connect with a clinician who has experience addressing seasonal mood changes, especially if local options are limited. Sessions commonly take place by video or phone, and some therapists offer messaging support between sessions. You should plan for sessions in a comfortable environment where you can speak freely, and check whether the platform or clinician provides information about privacy protections and how your information is handled. A reliable internet connection and a consistent session spot can help create a predictable routine, which is often helpful when managing seasonal symptoms.
When choosing a therapist for SAD you may find it useful to look at several factors. Consider the therapeutic approaches a clinician lists and whether those methods align with how you prefer to work - for example, whether you want a solution-focused plan, an approach that explores interpersonal dynamics, or a practice that emphasizes skills training. Look at credentials and years of experience to the extent that they matter to you, and note any languages or cultural backgrounds that might make communication easier. Reviews and biographies can offer insight into how a therapist describes their work, but remember that outcome data is not always available.
It can be helpful to think about practical preferences as well. Decide whether you prefer video sessions, phone calls, or messaging, and whether you need flexible session times to fit seasonal schedule changes. Ask about how progress will be measured and what a typical session looks like so you have clear expectations. Finally, trust your sense of fit: a therapist who listens to your goals, explains their approach clearly, and helps you build a plan for the seasons ahead is likely to be a strong match for ongoing work on seasonal mood changes.