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, The Gold Mind Founder

Finding a therapist in New York City can feel like trying to pick a restaurant in Manhattan, so many choices, and somehow impossible to book a table. If you’ve ever searched for a therapist and found yourself overwhelmed by Psychology Today profiles, insurance terms, and waitlists, you’re not alone.

Let’s break it down and make the process way less stressful, because your mental health shouldn’t have to wait until you know what a deductible is!

Step 1: Know What You’re Looking For

Start by asking yourself a few questions:

• Do I want virtual or in-person sessions?
  
• Do I want someone who specializes in anxiety, trauma, relationships, etc.?
  
• Do I feel more comfortable with a woman, a person of color, or someone from a specific background?
  
• Do I want someone with a specific approach like EMDR, CBT, or IFS?
  

Knowing these answers will help you narrow your search and find a therapist who could be a good fit. 

Step 2: Understand Your Payment Options

Here’s a simple breakdown of the three main ways therapy is paid for in NYC:

1. In-Network Therapy

What it means:
The therapist has a contract with your insurance company and bills them directly.

Pros:

• Lower out-of-pocket cost
  
• You usually just pay a copay (like $25–$50 per session)
  

Cons:

• Harder to find therapists with openings
  
• Less flexibility. Many therapists limit the number of in-network clients they accept
  
• Limited choice in specialties and modalities
  

How to find one:
Call your insurance or use their website directory. You can also use platforms like Zocdoc or Headway.

2. Out-of-Network (OON) Therapy

What it means:
The therapist doesn’t work directly with your insurance, but you or them can submit claims for reimbursement if you have OON benefits.

Pros:

• Access to a wider pool of therapists
  
• More flexibility and often higher-quality care
  

Cons:

• You usually pay upfront (usually $150–$300/session)
  
• You sometimes need to submit a Superbill to your insurance
  
• Not all plans offer OON benefits
  

Pro tip:
Call your insurance and ask:

“Do I have out-of-network benefits for outpatient mental health? What’s my deductible, and what percentage do you reimburse?”

3. Private Pay

What it means:
You pay the therapist directly, and insurance isn’t involved at all.

Pros:

• Total privacy. Your insurance never sees your diagnosis or records
  
• No restrictions. More freedom in how you do therapy
  
• Often easier to get a spot
  

Cons:

• More expensive ($150–$300/session)
  
• You’re responsible for the full fee
  

Why people choose it:
Some people don’t have insurance or don’t want to deal with their insurance. Others want to work with a therapist who has specialized expertise that insurance doesn’t always cover. It’s an investment in your mental health, like Equinox for your mind.

Step 3: Actually Finding a Therapist

Once you know how you’ll pay, here are the best ways to find someone:

• The Gold Mind’s team page www.thegoldmindnyc.com
  
• Psychology Today: Filter by location, specialty, and insurance
  
• Zocdoc: Great for finding in-network therapists
  
• Instagram or TikTok: Many therapists are online now
  
• Word of mouth: Ask a friend if they have any recommendations

Final Thoughts

Finding the right therapist in New York takes time but when you find someone you connect with, it’s worth it. At The Gold Mind, we work with both private pay and out-of-network clients, and we’re happy to help you navigate the insurance process so you can focus on healing, not billing.

Want help figuring it out? Reach out to us for a free phone consultation and we’ll walk you through your options.