When the days grow shorter and the light fades, it’s common to feel a little low. But for some, these changes bring more than the typical “winter blues.” This is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression tied to seasonal changes that leave you feeling weighed down, disconnected, and far from yourself.

You might notice your sleep patterns shift, your energy dip, or a growing sense of persistent sadness. For others, the impact shows up as difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in activities, or even physical symptoms like changes in appetite or fatigue. Left untreated, seasonal depression can become a serious mental health condition that affects your overall health and your ability to fully engage in daily life.

In Englewood, CO, Dr. Susan Hollander offers seasonal affective disorder therapy that blends warmth, compassion, and proven evidence-based treatments. Together, you’ll explore coping strategies and create a treatment plan that supports your emotional well being, restores balance, and helps you move forward with hope.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is more than just feeling “off” when the weather turns cold. It is a recognized affective disorder that can show up as major depression, persistent depressive disorder, or even overlap with bipolar disorder, which often involves extreme mood swings.

When you’re living with SAD, the shorter days and reduced natural sunlight can trigger not only emotional changes but also noticeable physical symptoms. You may find yourself fighting fatigue, struggling with low self-esteem or battling negative thought patterns that make life feel harder than it should. For some, these changes bring on depressive episodes that repeat every year, leading to chronic depression or even treatment resistant depression.

Because seasonal affective disorder SAD impacts both the mind and body, healing requires a comprehensive approach. Therapy with Dr. Hollander focuses on understanding depression in the context of seasonal changes, while also paying attention to your physical health, lifestyle, and the unique ways your symptoms show up. By combining evidence-based treatments such as talk therapy, light therapy, and other personalized methods, she helps you find balance and move toward greater mental well being.

Could You Benefit from Seasonal Affective Disorder Therapy?

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to seek help, consider the following:

• Do you experience depressive episodes that return each winter?
• Have your sleep patterns, appetite, or energy levels changed dramatically?
• Are you dealing with low self-esteem, persistent feelings of sadness, or loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed?
• Do you notice physical symptoms like fatigue, heaviness in your body, or disrupted sleep quality?
• Have you experienced treatment-resistant depression or other mental health disorders that get worse with seasonal changes?

Even one “yes” suggests that you could benefit from the tailored support of a mental health professional.

What Seasonal Affective Disorder Therapy Looks Like with Dr. Hollander

In her Englewood office or through secure online sessions, Dr. Hollander offers a supportive environment where you’ll explore emotions, confront challenges, and discover coping strategies that provide lasting relief.

Your personalized treatment plan may include:

• Talk therapy to uncover negative thought patterns and learn symptom management techniques.
• Light therapy to restore balance disrupted by the loss of natural sunlight.
• Dialectical behavior therapy skills like distress tolerance and emotional regulation.
• Internal family systems to heal inner conflict and restore balance.
• Coping strategies for managing depression, improving sleep quality, and finding adequate rest.
• Collaboration with prescribers for medication management when necessary.

Each step focuses on improving your emotional well-being, reconnecting you with joy, and helping you move through seasonal affective disorder SAD with strength.

Living with major depression, chronic depression, postpartum depression, or seasonal depression will leave you feeling like life is heavier than it should be. These are not just passing moods, they are real mental health conditions that touch every part of your life, from your relationships to your physical health and sense of emotional well being.

Dr. Susan Hollander has spent more than 30 years supporting individuals struggling with both the quieter forms of seasonal depression and the more severe cases that require deeper care. She understands that healing isn’t about rushing to the finish line. Instead, it’s about creating a supportive environment where you can take each step at your own pace.

Her approach blends evidence-based care with genuine compassion, offering tailored support for your unique situation. With her guidance, therapy becomes a place where you’ll safely explore your story, ease depressive symptoms, and build a stronger foundation for lasting relief.

Meet Dr. Susan Hollander, Ph.D.

Licensed Therapist | Compassionate Guide | Experienced Mental Health Professional

Dr. Hollander is known for her warmth, empathy, and ability to listen deeply. Clients describe her as calm, grounded, and trustworthy, someone who provides a comprehensive approach to treating depression and other mental health disorders.

Her practice in Englewood, CO, offers both mental health services in-person and telehealth sessions, making therapy accessible whether you’re in the Denver metro area or nearby Colorado communities.

Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?

You don’t have to face the winter depression alone. With the right treatment options, you can rediscover balance, light, and purpose. Therapy offers tools to shift your perspective, improve your well-being, and bring hope back into your life.

If you’re ready to begin seeking treatment for seasonal affective disorder, reach out today.

Call Dr. Susan Hollander at (303) 220-8400 or use the contact form below to schedule a free consultation.

Your mental health journey matters. Let’s walk it together.

Serving Englewood, Greenwood Village, Castle Rock, Littleton, Denver, and surrounding Colorado communities.

Is seasonal affective disorder the same as the winter blues?

No. While “winter blues” might cause a temporary low mood, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a clinically recognized mental health condition. It brings stronger, longer-lasting depressive symptoms that interfere with daily life, like disrupted sleep patterns, low energy, and difficulty concentrating.

What are the early warning signs of seasonal depression?

Common early signs include:

• Sleeping more but feeling less rested
• Craving carbohydrates and gaining weight
• Feeling sad, hopeless, or irritable for weeks at a time
• Trouble focusing or finishing tasks
• Pulling away from friends or family
  If these symptoms return year after year, you may benefit from seasonal affective disorder therapy in Englewood, CO.

Can seasonal affective disorder cause physical symptoms?

Yes. SAD doesn’t only affect mood; it can also impact physical health. Many people report body heaviness, fatigue, appetite changes, and poor sleep quality. These physical symptoms often go hand in hand with emotional distress.

Does light therapy really work for SAD?

Light therapy is one of the most studied and effective treatments for SAD. Exposure to special lamps that mimic natural sunlight improves energy, stabilizes mood, and resets disrupted sleep-wake cycles. Dr. Hollander often combines it with talk therapy and coping strategies for the best results.

When should I consider medication for SAD?

If your symptoms are severe, persistent, or don’t respond to therapy alone, medication management may help. Doctors sometimes prescribe selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or recommend vitamin D supplements. Dr. Hollander will help create a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Can SAD be linked to other mental health disorders?

Yes. People with major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder (which involves extreme mood swings), or persistent depressive disorder are more vulnerable to seasonal depression. Therapy helps address overlapping conditions and offers evidence-based care for complex situations.

How do I know if I need professional help for SAD?

If seasonal changes bring on persistent sadness, negative thought patterns, or treatment-resistant depression that disrupts your work, relationships, or self-esteem, it’s time to consider therapy. Early seeking treatment prevents symptoms from escalating into severe depression.

Is SAD therapy available online if I don’t live in Englewood?

Yes. Dr. Hollander offers secure telehealth sessions in addition to in-person appointments. Whether you’re in Englewood, Greenwood Village, Castle Rock, Littleton, Denver, or elsewhere in Colorado, you can access evidence-based treatments and compassionate support from home.