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)
Savithri (Savi) Jayaweera, NCPS
Ref 151058
Compassionate counsellor for complex life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Hindi, Sinhala
View listingAngela Teasdale, NCPS
Ref 119622
Supportive counsellor focusing on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJoanne Maddison, BACP
Ref 276861
Compassionate counsellor blending insight and practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Grief, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJames French, BACP
Ref 203032
Practical support for anxiety and life transitions
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDr. Paula Alvarez, LCSW
Ref 29756
Compassionate clinical social worker with practical tools
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingSimon Nelson, BACP
Ref 281876
Calm, straightforward support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Grief Languages: English
View listingMargaret Johnston, LMHC
Ref 62092
Calm listening that helps you move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingClement West, BACP
Ref 167549
Gentle, practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingDavid Potts, LCSW
Ref 23255
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingNicola Claydon, NCPS
Ref 183763
Calm, practical support for complex life issues
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Intimacy-related issues Languages: English
View listingRichard Gordon-Smith , NCPS
Ref 120083
Straightforward, experienced counsellor for complex issues
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingIvy Medow, LPC
Ref 300506
Practical counseling for life transitions
Works with: Family, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingAnnette OBryant, LPC
Ref 77726
Compassionate counselor focused on practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Parenting Languages: English
View listingDanielle Horn, LMSW
Ref 272733
Focused therapy that digs to the root
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRebecca "Becca" Mather, BACP
Ref 236007
Compassionate, practical support for life’s pressures
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Parenting Languages: English
View listingJoanne Rothery, NCPS
Ref 179003
Compassionate counsellor for stress and trauma
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingJennifer Lee Sylvester, LCSW
Ref 116075
Experienced LCSW offering respectful, practical care
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSara Lowe, LPC
Ref 104527
Practical, compassionate therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Depression Languages: English
View listingMichael Pfisterer, LCSW
Ref 6636
Practical goal-focused therapy
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Parenting, Depression Languages: English
View listingFrank Centonze, LPC
Ref 297421
Direct, practical counseling for emotional recovery
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingSherry Ramsey Hansen, LPC
Ref 352558
Collaborative counselor focused on practical progress
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingJade Round, BACP
Ref 180505
Practical, person-focused therapy for life challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingSarah Anderson, NCPS
Ref 133882
Practical support for stress and life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingCecile Terrelonge, BACP
Ref 134582
Person-centred counsellor offering practical support
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Family Languages: English
View listingAnjanette Morton, LMHC
Ref 207471
Calm, practical support for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingMichael Witham, LPC
Ref 56161
Practical, person-focused counseling for daily struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Anger Languages: English
View listingFaith Beaulieu, LCMHC
Ref 23986
Somatic-minded counselor for focused change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship Languages: English
View listingCallie Roberts, LPC
Ref 261180
Calm practical support for everyday challenges
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Anger Languages: English
View listingDianna Wheeler, LPC
Ref 354614
Practical support for healing and stronger coping skills
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingStacey Tenbrink, LMHC, LPC
Ref 326268
Compassionate, practical therapy for life changes
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingMegan Warner, BACP
Ref 241754
Short-term practical counselling and coaching
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingClaudia Santiago, LCSW
Ref 149793
Practical, collaborative therapy for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English, Spanish
View listingWendi Hoag, LPC
Ref 261771
Seasoned counselor focused on relationships and mood
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingDr. Lisa Hammons, LPC
Ref 251179
Calm guidance for stress, relationships, and life change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingAndrea Antrobus, BACP
Ref 121857
Warm counsellor blending practical therapy and listening
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingRose Sanford, LPC
Ref 150546
Practical support for stress and relationship struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingMaria Wilson, LCSW
Ref 138055
Understanding, practical support for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingFaye Noyland, BACP
Ref 176481
Calm, practical counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingDonna Watts, BACP
Ref 219020
Compassionate, practical support for real-life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingVictoria Harper, BACP
Ref 257028
Gentle person-centred counselling for everyday struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem Languages: English
View listingKelley Sullivan, LCSW
Ref 526
Compassionate, practical therapy for real life struggles
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Trauma and abuse Languages: English, Spanish
View listingDr. Robert Hunt, LPC
Ref 187307
Experienced therapist for life changes and emotion work
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Relationship Languages: English
View listingLisa Spears, LPC
Ref 101050
Hopeful, practical counseling for life
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Family Languages: English
View listingKim Smith, BACP
Ref 203026
Warm integrative BACP counsellor
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Family, Grief Languages: English
View listingJamie Finkelstein, LPC
Ref 16744
Compassionate counselor for practical change
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Trauma and abuse Languages: English
View listingRani Sagar, BACP
Ref 180509
Gentle humanistic counselling for life changes
Works with: Relationship, Trauma and abuse, Grief Languages: English
View listingJamie Hess, LPC
Ref 175358
Trusted counselor helping build resilience
Works with: Relationship, Self esteem, Career Languages: English
View listingDanielle Morgan, BACP
Ref 144635
Compassionate listener who helps people move forward
Works with: Stress, Anxiety, Trauma and abuse, Self esteem 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.