Seasonal Depression & Holiday Stress
When the season feels like more than you can manage
The end of the year is often painted as joyful and bright — but for many people, it can feel heavy.
Shorter days, family dynamics, financial pressure, and constant expectations for cheer can take a real emotional toll.
If you’re feeling low, anxious, or disconnected this time of year, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself.
Why the Season Feels Different
The shift in light and rhythm can affect both body and mood. You might notice:
Low mood or loss of interest in things you usually enjoy
Fatigue or changes in sleep and appetite
Feeling tense, irritable, or emotionally exhausted
Guilt or pressure to “keep up appearances”
Family or social stress that feels magnified
Sometimes, this pattern aligns with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD); for others, it’s the accumulation of holiday stress, grief, or burnout.
Either way, it’s valid — and treatable.
How Therapy Can Help
At Birch Grove Therapy, I offer a warm, non-judgmental space to explore what’s happening beneath the surface.
Together, we’ll:
Identify how seasonal changes and holiday stress impact your emotions
Develop practical tools to manage stress and create boundaries
Build self-compassion and emotional resilience
Find ways to reconnect with meaning and calm during this season
Support can help you feel more grounded, even when everything around you feels uncertain.
You Don’t Have to Wait Until January
Instead of waiting for the season to “pass,” therapy offers a place to pause — to understand yourself, to find balance, and to breathe again.
Let’s work together to make this time of year feel more manageable, more grounded, and more you.
Sessions available online and in-person in South Burlington.
FAQ: Seasonal & Holiday Stress
Do I need to wait until winter to get help?
No — if you notice patterns of low mood, overwhelm, or dread leading up to the holidays, therapy can help you prepare and find tools early.
Is this just the winter blues?
Seasonal depression and holiday stress can look like “just the blues,” but if symptoms linger or interfere with your daily life, therapy can make a real difference.
Can we focus on coping skills, not deep processing?
Absolutely. We can tailor therapy to fit your needs — from short-term coping support to ongoing personal growth.
Take the First Step
If you’re ready to talk about what this season is bringing up for you, let’s connect.
Reaching out is the first — and often the hardest — step toward feeling lighter.