Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC, Founder

When people talk about feeling sad because of the seasons, they usually mean winter. But did you know some people feel sad in the summer too? This is called Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder or Summer SAD.

At The Gold Mind, we are NYC therapists who help other New Yorkers feel better. We want you to know it’s normal if you feel sad in the summer. You’re not alone!

What Is Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder?

Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder happens when people feel sad or upset during the summer months. Some people thrive in the warmer months while other feels worse. 

People with summer depression might:

• Have trouble sleeping at night
  
• Not feel hungry or lose weight
  
• Feel nervous, worried, or upset
  
• Get annoyed or angry easily
  
• Have trouble paying attention
  
• Want to stay away from friends and family
  
• Feel too hot or tired because of the heat and long days
  

Feeling sad in summer doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It just means your body and brain react differently to the season.

Why Do People Get Summer Depression?

Doctors aren’t sure why some people get summer seasonal affective disorder, but there are a few reasons it might happen:

• Too Much Sunlight – Longer days can mess up your sleep.
  
• Heat and Humidity – Hot weather can make people feel tired or stressed.
  
• Changes in Routines – Summer can mess up your normal daily schedule.
  
• Body Image Worries – Wearing summer clothes can make people feel nervous about how they look.
  
• Social Pressure – People feel like they should be having fun in summer, and feel bad if they’re not.
  

As NYC therapists, we talk to many people who are surprised to feel sad when the sun is shining.

How Can You Feel Better?

If you have summer depression in NYC, here are some ways to help yourself feel better:

• Keep a regular sleep schedule, even when the sun stays out longer.
  
• Stay cool and take breaks inside if it’s too hot.
  
• Try to keep your daily routine, like eating meals at the same time.
  
• Drink water and eat enough food, even if you’re not very hungry.
  
• Talk to someone you trust, like a friend, family member, or therapist.
  
• Be kind to yourself. It’s okay to feel sad, even in summer.
  

You’re Not Alone

If you think you might have summer seasonal affective disorder in NYC, The Gold Mind is here to help. Talking to an NYC therapist can help you feel better and learn new ways to cope.

Do you want help feeling better this summer? Contact our NYC therapists at The Gold Mind today. We’re here for you in every season.

Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC, EMDR Therapist

NYC can be such an electric and exciting place. When you walk outside you’re instantly met with sights, sounds, and smells – whether you like it or not. The energy of Manhattan is what makes it so special, but sometimes it isn’t the best thing for our nervous system. 

At The Gold Mind, we help people who love New York but also need to decompress with their comfort show after being outside for more than 5 minutes. 

Why Does NYC Feel So Intense?

Living in the city comes with:

• Subway screeches, honking horns, and always an ambulance
  
• Heavy foot and car traffic seemingly everywhere
  
• Overcrowded small spaces

Even if you love the energy, sometimes it’s just… too much.

How Sensory Overload Shows Up

When NYC is overstimulating you, it might look like:

• Feeling hyper but exhausted
  Irritability over small things 
• Headaches or muscle tension
  Craving alone time but feeling lonely when you have it
• Stuck with racing thoughts when trying to go to bed 

This doesn’t mean you’re failing at city life. It just means your mind and body need a reset.

How Therapy Can Help

At The Gold Mind, we help New Yorkers sustainably navigate life in the Big Apple. Therapy can help you:

• Recognize the early signs of sensory overload
• Create small rituals to maintain calmness
• Set boundaries confidently 
• Learn ways to decompress so you can maintain a healthy relationship with nyc

New York might be the city that never sleeps, but that doesn’t mean you have to be on all the time. You deserve balance, peace, and space to breathe.

Feeling stretched thin in NYC? Connect with us at The Gold Mind. Let’s help you find your calm in the chaos and keep loving the city you call home.

Written By: Rebecca Kangwa, LMHC

Many couples have a lot of love for each other but still have hard times. Maybe you and your partner fight a lot, feel disconnected, or feel resentment building. Couples therapy can help!

Although individual therapy is becoming normalized, a lot of people still feel shy, embarrassed, or scared about starting couples therapy. Let’s talk about why that may be and why couples therapy is truly nothing to fear. 

Why Are People Scared of Couples Therapy?

Some people think going to therapy means their relationship is “bad” or “broken.” That’s not true. Couples therapy isn’t just for people who want to break up. It’s for anyone who wants to:

• Talk with a mediator
  
• Feel closer to their partner
  
• Understand each other better
  
• Work through specific problems together
  

Couples therapy is like learning a new skill. Just like you’d take a class to learn how to paint or play piano. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

Different Kinds of Couples Therapy

There are many methods to working with couples. Here are some very popular modalities of couples therapy:

Gottman Method Couples Therapy
This theory helps couples talk calmly and kindly, even when upset. It teaches how to fix fights, show love, and build trust.

Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
This theory helps couples understand each other’s feelings and develop safety with one another. It helps people who feel alone or scared in their relationship.

Imago Therapy
This therapy helps partners understand how childhood affects how they act in love. It helps people talk and listen without blaming each other.

Every couple is different. A good couples therapist will help you find the right kind of therapy for you and your partner.

Should We Try Couples Therapy?

If you and your partner:

• Fight a lot
  
• Feel far apart or lonely
  
• Have trouble talking without getting upset
  
• Feel stuck in the same problems
  

…then couples therapy could help! You don’t have to wait until things feel “really bad.” Many couples go to therapy just to make a good relationship even stronger.

At The Gold Mind, we help couples in NYC learn how to talk, listen, and love each other better.
Want to know more about couples therapy?

Contact The Gold Mind today. We’re here to help you and your partner feel happier and more connected.