Counseling Blog | LGBTQ+ Couples & Individuals

July 11, 2025 by Alan Zupka

Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Causes & Symptoms

Do You Feel Low Around the Same Time Each Year? Let Us Explore the Story Behind It Together

If you notice that your mood consistently shifts downward at certain times of the year, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is more than just the “winter blues.” It is a form of depression that tends to emerge with the change of seasons, and it can profoundly affect how you think, feel, and engage with your life. According to the American Psychiatric Association, approximately five percent of adults in the United States live with this condition.

As a therapist who integrates narrative therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, and positive psychology into my practice, I invite you to explore the meaning behind your seasonal emotional experiences—not as a flaw in your character, but as a part of your story that may be asking to be understood and gently reshaped.

Understanding the Roots of Seasonal Affective Disorder

Although research is ongoing, seasonal affective disorder appears to be linked to how the changing seasons disrupt biological rhythms. Shifts in daylight can affect your circadian rhythms, melatonin production, and serotonin levels—each of which plays a vital role in regulating sleep, mood, and energy. These biological changes may silently influence the way you think and feel, and over time, those thoughts and emotions can reinforce discouraging or painful internal narratives.

In narrative therapy, we pause and ask: What story are these symptoms telling about your relationship with this time of year? Through that lens, we begin to reconnect you with your values, your agency, and the strengths you have utilized before—even during challenging times.

What SAD May Feel Like

Seasonal affective disorder often follows a predictable cycle, beginning and ending around the same time each year. For most people, symptoms typically appear in the fall and persist through the winter months. However, some individuals experience SAD in the spring or summer.

Common symptoms include:

Persistent sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, irritability, or feelings of worthlessness
Loss of interest in activities that previously brought joy or meaning
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping too much or too little)
Changes in appetite, especially craving carbohydrates, which can lead to weight gain or loss
Fatigue or low energy that feels hard to overcome
In more serious cases, thoughts of self-harm or suicide

These experiences do not define you. They are part of what is happening, but they are not the whole story.

Rewriting the Season: Therapy Can Help

If you see yourself in the descriptions above, you are not alone, and you do not need to navigate this on your own. I have had the privilege of working with many clients who have experienced SAD, and together, we have gently rewritten the emotional chapters tied to specific seasons.

In our work together, I may incorporate:

CBT techniques to challenge unhelpful beliefs and build more balanced, supportive thoughts
Mindfulness practices to help you remain grounded in the present, even when your mood tries to pull you away
Positive psychology exercises to reconnect you with moments of purpose, gratitude, and hope
Narrative approaches to help you explore the meaning you have made of these seasonal patterns—and create a richer, more empowered version of your personal story

You deserve care, insight, and a space where you can feel safe to explore these seasonal shifts in your mental health. If you have seasonal affective disorder, I would be honored to talk with you, listen without judgment, and help you understand what is unfolding for you. Should we determine that SAD is part of your experience, I will offer you a customized treatment plan tailored to your needs and strengths.

Please feel free to reach out and schedule a session with me. Let us explore your story together—and find new ways for you to thrive in every season.

July 7, 2025 by Alan Zupka

How Do You Break Night Terrors?

Understanding and Addressing Night Terrors: A Mindful and Therapeutic Approach

Night terrors—sometimes referred to as “sleep terrors”—are a form of parasomnia that can be deeply unsettling. They may cause someone to scream, cry, breathe rapidly, experience an elevated heart rate, sweat, stare blankly, sit upright in bed, or flail their limbs. It can be challenging to awaken someone in the midst of a night terror, and even when they do awaken, they may feel confused, disoriented, and difficult to soothe. Although these episodes often last only a few minutes, they can occasionally persist longer, and many individuals have no recollection of the experience by morning.

In my practice, I view night terrors through a lens that integrates narrative therapy, positive psychology, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness. Rather than treating night terrors as isolated disruptions, I explore the broader story of a person’s emotional life and sleep experience. Together, we examine how meaning, stress, habits, and the body interact. Often, the focus of treatment lies in addressing the underlying contributors.

Here are a few common areas we explore:

1. Fatigue and Sleep Deprivation: Paradoxically, insufficient rest can lead to more frequent night terrors. Part of our work may involve examining your current sleep patterns and introducing small, realistic changes to increase restorative rest. Whether that means going to bed earlier or allowing for short, intentional naps, creating a rhythm of rest often becomes an essential part of the healing process.

2. Stress and Anxiety: Many clients I work with discover that their night terrors are linked to unresolved stress or persistent anxiety. From a CBT perspective, we explore the thoughts and beliefs that may be fueling these stress responses. By using mindfulness techniques, such as gentle breathing exercises or guided meditation, we can cultivate a sense of calmness before bedtime. If emotional distress or life challenges are surfacing, we may use narrative therapy to explore the stories you hold about your safety, identity, or relationships, offering room to re-author those narratives in a way that fosters healing and security.

3. Inconsistent Sleep Patterns: Maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake time is a foundational step in improving sleep quality. In therapy, I support clients in identifying barriers to consistency and help co-create routines that feel grounding rather than rigid. This might involve setting up a soothing nighttime ritual that signals the body and mind that rest is near.

In some instances, medication may be necessary to regulate sleep patterns and reduce the occurrence of night terrors. If this is the case, I will help coordinate care with a prescribing provider to ensure that any medical approach aligns with your broader mental health goals.

Are Night Terrors Disrupting Your Life?

If you are experiencing night terrors, you are not alone. I understand how distressing and exhausting these episodes can be—not only for you but also for your loved ones. Every story is unique, and in our work together, I will take time to understand your lived experience. From there, I will develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs, drawing on evidence-based practices and a deep respect for your unique journey.

You deserve peaceful rest and a sense of safety during your most vulnerable hours. If you would like support, I invite you to reach out. I am here to help you reclaim a sense of calm and restore your connection to restful, healing sleep.

July 4, 2025 by Alan Zupka

10 Affirmations to Add to Your Daily Routine

The Transformative Power of Affirmations: Rewriting the Story You Tell Yourself

Words carry extraordinary power. The language we use, especially the words we direct inward, can shape how we see ourselves and how we respond to the world. From a narrative therapy perspective, the stories we tell about who we are influence not only our sense of identity but also our choices, emotions, and relationships. When those stories are rooted in self-compassion and empowerment, we become more aligned with our values and strengths.

This is where affirmations come into play. Informed by the principles of positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy, affirmations involve intentionally choosing phrases that promote encouragement, self-worth, and resilience. Over time, repeating affirming messages can help retrain the brain, reduce negative self-talk, lower stress levels, and increase motivation. Mindfulness practices further support this process by helping us become aware of unhelpful thought patterns and create space for more constructive, intentional narratives.

How to Begin Using Affirmations

The first step is to select affirmations that speak to your current needs and emotional landscape. These should reflect the kind of self-talk you want to nurture, messages that support your healing, growth, and sense of agency. Here are ten affirmations that may resonate with you:

I deserve happiness.
I am strong enough to face this moment.
My body is inherently beautiful and worthy.
I trust in my ability to make wise decisions.
I will be alright, even when things feel uncertain.
I am capable of achieving what I set out to do.
I am proud of who I am becoming.
Today holds the potential for goodness.
I am worthy of love, just as I am.
I am at peace with what I cannot control.

Once you have chosen a few affirmations, find a time each day to repeat them. You might say them aloud while getting ready in the morning, write them in a journal before bed, or quietly reflect on them during your commute. Speaking affirmations out loud can reinforce them through auditory and verbal engagement, but internal repetition is also profoundly effective when practiced mindfully and consistently.

The key is daily repetition. The more you practice, the more familiar and believable these new thoughts become, making it easier to integrate them into your internal narrative. Over time, these affirmations can help shape a more empowered, compassionate story about who you are and how you move through the world.

Let Us Explore This Together

If you are ready to explore how affirmations can support your well-being, please contact me for an initial consultation. I integrate narrative therapy, mindfulness, CBT, and positive psychology to help you create space for new stories, ones that honor your resilience and align with your values. Together, we can identify affirmations that speak to your unique needs and begin building the inner dialogue that will support your healing and growth.

June 30, 2025 by Alan Zupka

How to Improve the Quality of Your Sleep

Struggling With Sleep? You Are Not Alone.

Do you find it difficult to get a good night’s sleep? If so, you are far from alone. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans live with sleep disorders. Chronic sleep difficulties are more than just frustrating—they can take a toll on your mood, impair your ability to think clearly, and increase the risk of developing serious health concerns such as heart disease, obesity, strokes, and dementia.

From a narrative therapy lens, I recognize that sleep challenges often become part of the story individuals tell themselves about their limitations or their struggles. I work with clients to externalize these problems—to see “poor sleep” not as a personal failing but as a challenge that can be addressed with support, insight, and practical tools.

If you are looking to improve your relationship with rest, here are eight strategies I often explore with clients as part of a collaborative and compassionate treatment plan:

Eight Evidence-Based Ways to Improve Sleep

Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule: Try to wake up at the same time each morning and go to bed at the same time each evening, even on weekends. CBT-based behavioral consistency helps reset the body’s circadian rhythm and supports better rest over time.
Create a Sleep-Supportive Environment:
Keep your bedroom cool, quiet, and dark. Consider blackout curtains, a white noise machine, or calming scents like lavender to invite restfulness.
Move Your Body Daily:
Engaging in regular physical activity can improve sleep quality, as long as exercise is not done too close to bedtime. Even mindful stretching or walking can help calm the nervous system.
Limit Napping During the Day:
If naps are necessary, keep them brief and avoid them late in the afternoon. This allows your body to build natural sleep pressure throughout the day.
Be Mindful of Caffeine Consumption:
Reduce or eliminate caffeine intake at least eight hours before bedtime. This small behavioral shift can significantly affect your ability to fall asleep.
Avoid Alcohol and Heavy Meals Before Bed:
While alcohol may initially feel relaxing, it can disrupt sleep cycles. Similarly, eating large or rich meals late at night may cause discomfort and restlessness.
Unplug From Screens Before Bedtime: The light and stimulation from phones, tablets, and TVs can signal the brain to stay alert. Instead, you might choose to engage in mindful reading or a calming bedtime routine.
Learn to Soothe Your Stress Response:
Practicing mindfulness, engaging in therapy, or cultivating gratitude are all powerful ways to reduce the mental chatter that keeps so many people awake at night. Together, we can explore which approaches work best for your unique situation.

Take the Next Step Toward Restful Sleep

If sleep has become a struggle and you are ready to reclaim your nights, I invite you to reach out. I help clients explore the stories they carry about rest, performance, and worth, while also incorporating practical strategies grounded in CBT, mindfulness, and positive psychology. Together, we can co-author a new chapter—one that makes room for rest, renewal, and greater well-being.

Contact me today to learn more about my telehealth services, ask any questions you may have, and schedule a consultation at a time that works for you. You deserve to feel rested, clear-minded, and at peace.

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