Winter, Holidays, and the Weight of Depression: A Reflection on Disconnection and Repair
Winter, Holidays, and the Weight of Depression: A Reflection on Disconnection and Repair
By David Bolander, LMHCA
Founder, David Bolander Psychotherapy | Indianapolis, Indiana
As the days grow shorter and the air turns colder here in Indianapolis, Indiana, many of us begin to feel the quiet heaviness that winter can bring. For some, this shift is subtle—a slowing down, a desire to retreat. For others, it’s more acute: a deepening sense of depression, isolation, or emotional misalignment.
In my work at David Bolander Psychotherapy, I often see how seasonal depression and holiday distress intertwine. The bleak weather may dampen our energy, but it’s often the relational strain of the holidays that stirs something deeper:
A longing for secure, joyful memories that feel out of reach
A sense of relational rupture or rejection
The ache of unmet needs, especially in families or partnerships
The pressure to perform happiness when we feel anything but
Depression Is Not Just a Mood—It’s a Signal
Whether it’s seasonal affective disorder, chronic depression, or a quiet sense of emotional disconnection, these experiences often point to something relational. In Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) and Psychodynamic therapy, we understand depression not just as a chemical imbalance, but as a signal—an invitation to explore attachment wounds, unmet longings, and the stories we carry about ourselves and others.
Group Therapy as a Space for Repair
This winter, I’m offering group therapy for adults navigating depression. These groups are designed to be emotionally attuned, gently paced, and rooted in the principles of attachment theory, EFT, and psychodynamic integration. In group, we explore:
What depression feels like in the body and in relationships
How attachment patterns shape our experience of connection and disconnection
The possibility of relational repair through witnessing, validation, and shared presence
The quiet hope that emerges when we feel seen—not fixed, but held
You’re Not Alone
If you’re feeling the weight of winter, the strain of the holidays, or the ache of disconnection, know that you’re not alone. Help is available—and healing doesn’t have to happen in isolation.
Whether through individual therapy, group therapy, or simply reaching out, there is space for your story. There is room for your pain. And there is hope.
David Bolander, LMHCA Founder, David Bolander Psychotherapy Indianapolis, Indiana 📧 dbolander1@cts.edu
About the Author David Bolander is a psychotherapist in Indianapolis specializing in depression therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, attachment-based work, and group therapy for adults. His practice blends clinical depth with emotional attunement, offering spaces for healing, reflection, and relational repair. His clinical work is supported through supervision by Mike O’Connell, LMFT.
