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686,000 people sought help with Thriveworks in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a seasonal depression can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 99 therapists in Georgia available for an online or in-person session.

Starting Seasonal depression therapy

What is seasonal depression therapy?

Seasonal depression therapy treats seasonal affective disorder, a condition that results from the shift of seasons—often from fall into winter, which means it’s tied to less daylight exposure. Treatment is similar to what’s done for depression, but with the addition of other techniques that address the source of the depressed state (light exposure or seasonal change).

How does seasonal depression therapy work?

Seasonal depression therapy can utilize techniques like CBT as well as medications like SSRIs, depending on the severity of an individual’s symptoms. Light therapy, which involves sitting by a \”light box\” for a certain amount of time each day to increase one’s daily exposure to daylight in darker climates, is another common approach.

Is seasonal depression therapy conducted in person or online?

Thriveworks seasonal depression in Savannah is conducted both in person and virtually via online counseling. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does seasonal depression therapy last?

Seasonal depression therapy may last as long as symptoms last, which can be four or more months, though treatment can start taking effect in just a few weeks. Some people may also prefer to get continual support from a mental health professional for their seasonal affective disorder in order to treat it more effectively. Because of this, treatment duration will likely vary depending on the severity of symptoms and the client’s personal goals. Thriveworks Savannah therapists work with clients to create goals and potential timelines for treatment.

Need more help deciding?

Golden brown, red, and yellow leaves shower down on your drive back from work. There’s a crisp bite in the air as you step out, and delicious smells and heat greet you as you walk inside. You have a big weekend planned- corn mazes and pumpkin carving and planning for the holidays.

But for some reason, you just can’t get excited about it.

There’s an emptiness in you, no matter how full of pumpkin-everything you get, and it can’t be chased away by holiday shopping. Sometimes, that makes it worse.

Why are you feeling like this? Where do these despondent and blue feelings come from? You had a great summer, felt strong going into the fall, and now with winter just around the corner…sometimes you struggle to get out of bed.

You might be fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD for short). It shares many similarities with depression but occurs at certain times during the year.

Like depression, SAD can leave you feeling hopeless. Thriveworks Savannah is here to show you that it is far from hopeless! Fighting Seasonal Affective Disorder can be difficult, but together we can get you feeling like yourself no matter what the weather is doing.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

SAD is a lot like depression. It’s much, much more than feeling sad during winter. Feeling sad isn’t even one of the requirements! Neither is winter; SAD can take place during any season, although the symptoms most commonly start in the fall and continue into the winter.

If you notice a change in yourself of a loved one when the weather shifts, it’s worth talking to a professional. The best mental health comes from being proactive and responding quickly when something flares up.

There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you struggle with SAD. It doesn’t make you “weak”. Many scientific studies have shown the importance of sunshine and good weather for mental health. During months of dreary weather, we start to feel down as well. In some people, this manifests as SAD.

Thriveworks Savannah is here to help you through the bad months and prepare for the future no matter what your personal experience is with SAD. Some of the more common symptoms include:

  • Low energy
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Feeling depressed all day, nearly every day
  • Frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  • Lack of interest in things you enjoy
  • Sleep issues
  • Changes in weight or appetite
  • Feeling agitated or sluggish
  • Feeling helpless or worthless

SAD can make us feel isolated. It’s important to reach out when you’re struggling. Thriveworks Savannah is excited to meet you and begin feeling better so we can thrive together!

What does therapy for SAD look like?

Thriveworks Savannah counseling sessions all look different, because we all have one thing in common: keeping you at the front and center.

With a client-centered philosophy and a judgement-free space, Thriveworks Savannah counselors are able to adapt to your personality, situations, and goals. The most important thing in a counseling session is you!

With that being said, there are some tools and techniques we have found that work best when treating SAD, and we might implement some of them in a session. For example, you might discuss:

  • How we can use your community to support you
  • Reinstalling your passions for hobbies and activities
  • Developing healthy sleep, exercise, and eating habits
  • Light therapy (using special lamps or even just getting outside!)
  • Journaling, meditation, or other self-care methods

We might also discuss the possibility of using anti-depressants, which can prove very helpful during these dark months.

Thriveworks Savannah wants to be your biggest supporter as you fight SAD. There can be light in your life again, and we are excited to help you find it!

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Savannah therapists and counselors accept 26 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - HMO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | BCBS - PPO

  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia | Medicare Advantage

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Community Health Options

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

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Self-pay costs at Savannah
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

Thriveworks Savannah has no reviews yet, but check out these reviews from locations in Georgia.

4.5 Thriveworks Savannah reviews are collected through Thriveworks.com.
★★★★★
Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Read more Thriveworks helped me realize that I do believe people can change. I’m not the person I was three months ago, broken and fearful. I’m healthy and happy and for the first time being kind to myself. Thank you for giving me my life back.
Anonymous Thriveworks Client
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Savannah is located on East Broad Street between East State Street and East President Street. We share a building with the Frayed Knot yarn store and Ritual Holistic Studio. We are located one block away from Greene Square Park.

Phone number

(912) 623-4320

Languages spoken by GA providers

  • English
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm

Shown in ET

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