When most people think of seasonal depression, they picture the dark, cold days of winter—a time when limited sunlight and long nights can bring on fatigue, sadness, and disconnection. But for some individuals, the opposite is true. Summer, with all its light and warmth, can bring its own form of seasonal depression—one that’s less recognized, but no less real.
What Is Summer-Pattern Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?
Summer-pattern SAD, sometimes called “reverse SAD,” affects a smaller subset of the population compared to its winter counterpart, but the symptoms are distinct and often disruptive. Instead of feeling slowed down, many individuals with summer SAD feel overstimulated—anxious, agitated, restless. Sleep becomes difficult. Appetite may decline. Energy feels scattered rather than low. And rather than turning inward, some experience an urge to flee or isolate in reaction to overwhelming sensory input.
There are a number of factors that may contribute to summer-pattern SAD. Increased heat and humidity, disruptions to routine (such as school breaks or social expectations), body image pressures, and even too much sunlight—particularly for individuals sensitive to changes in circadian rhythm—can all play a role. For people who already live with mood or trauma-related conditions, these seasonal shifts can compound symptoms.
Therapeutic Approaches to Summer Depression
Because summer-pattern SAD isn’t as widely recognized, many people struggle without realizing that their symptoms may be seasonal. Identifying the pattern is a critical first step. From there, a combination of interventions, lifestyle changes, therapy, and sometimes medication or adjunct treatments can provide meaningful relief.
Two approaches that have gained attention for their effectiveness in treating depression and supporting emotional regulation, particularly when other methods fall short, are ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and nature-based therapy.
The Role of Ketamine in Depression Treatment
Ketamine, when administered in a controlled clinical setting alongside psychotherapy, has shown promising outcomes in rapidly reducing depressive symptoms, including in individuals who experience seasonal or treatment-resistant depression. Unlike traditional antidepressants, ketamine can produce shifts in perspective and emotion within hours or days making it especially useful for acute or cyclical depressive states.
For individuals experiencing the intense agitation, anxiety, or dissociation often associated with summer SAD, ketamine’s ability to interrupt distressing cognitive patterns and open new therapeutic pathways can offer a unique window for healing. At Clark Counseling Services we incorporate ketamine-assisted psychotherapy through a carefully guided process, ensuring both safety and integration.
Healing with Nature: Reconnection as Regulation
Nature therapy or ecotherapy invites clients to engage with the natural world as part of their healing journey. Summer SAD often brings a sense of disconnection, overstimulation, or alienation. Nature, when approached mindfully, offers a counterbalance. Research continues to show that time spent in green spaces reduces anxiety, supports nervous system regulation, and enhances mood. For clients feeling trapped by the brightness and chaos of summer, nature can offer grounding, quiet, and space to breathe.
Whether through structured outdoor sessions, mindfulness-based hikes, or nature-immersion practices, working therapeutically in natural environments can help restore balance especially when combined with other interventions.
Introducing KetaNature: An Integrative Treatment Pathway
Recognizing the unique challenges summer brings for some, Clark Counseling Services is preparing to launch a new integrative care option: KetaNature Therapy. This offering combines the clinical strength of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with the restorative power of nature-based therapy. Delivered by licensed professionals trained in both modalities, KetaNature is designed to support individuals experiencing mood disturbances seasonal or chronic through a whole-person lens.
This is not about replacing traditional therapy, but about expanding what’s possible when we align neuroscience, nature, and intentional support. While the full program is still in final development, we’re excited to offer this path for those seeking relief that is both evidence-informed and deeply human.
A Final Word
Summer is not joyful for everyone and that’s okay. If you or someone you know finds this season emotionally difficult, know that support exists. Seasonal depression isn’t limited to winter, and treatment should never be one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s through talk therapy, lifestyle adjustments, medication, or integrative options like ketamine or ecotherapy, healing is possible. And you don’t have to go through it alone.