December '22 - Joy & Suffering

Elvis once crooned about feeling blue at Christmas time—and we’re here to tell you: It’s perfectly normal to feel that way.

There are a variety of reasons why your days may not be merry and bright around the holiday season. It can be the jam-packed social calendar, deadlines at work, the loss of a loved one during the year, financial stress, sunless winter days, or all of the above.

According to the American Psychological Association, 38% of people surveyed said their stress increased during the holiday season, which can lead to physical illness, depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. The reasons given: lack of time, financial pressure, gift-giving, and family gatherings.

To make matters worse, the National Alliance on Mental Illness noted that 64% of individuals living with a mental illness felt that their conditions worsened around the holidays.

Expansion Brainspotting is what I use during the holidays with my clients who are so down. Here are some of my favorites.

For clients with social anxiety, this is a great set-up to prep for those holiday parties and family gatherings:

For clients who are struggling to find any joy, try this:

For your most vulnerable clients, try this approach: