Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder with CBT

Online, Zoom

What is this webinar about?

This introductory workshop assumes no prior knowledge of this condition which is common in practice.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that typically has a seasonal pattern. Periods of depression tend to occur at the same time each year, usually during the winter. In common with other forms of depression, two of the main symptoms of SAD are a low mood and a lack of interest in life. Other symptoms of SAD include lower levels of activity than normal and increased sleeping.

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that SAD should be treated in the same way as other types of depression.This includes using talking treatments, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or medication, such as antidepressants.While there is no strong evidence to support the long-term benefits of using light therapy to treat SAD, research suggests that it may have a positive short-term effect. The workshop will consider how light treatment can be combined with CBT.The major therapeutic approaches will be reviewed and an overview given of treatment programmes and approaches.

About This Workshop:

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) presents unique challenges in clinical practice, with its cyclical nature, diverse presentations, and impact on client well-being. This practical, evidence-based workshop is designed specifically for trained psychotherapists seeking to deepen their understanding of SAD and enhance their clinical effectiveness using CBT-informed interventions. The session will combine concise theory, current research, illustrative case studies, and hands-on strategies to help you improve outcomes for clients experiencing SAD.

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is intended for accredited psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals familiar with CBT principles. The focus will be on actionable techniques and the direct translation of knowledge into clinical skills.

Topics Covered

• Understanding Seasonal Affective Disorder
• DSM-5 classification and diagnostic criteria
• Symptom profiles: Winter-pattern vs. summer-pattern SAD
• Epidemiology and risk factors
• The lived experience: Client perspectives
• Assessment and Differential Diagnosis
• Key assessment tools (e.g., Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire)
• Identifying SAD vs. other depressive disorders
• Causal Models and Underlying Mechanisms
• Neurobiology (serotonin, melatonin, circadian rhythms)
• Role of vitamin D and lifestyle factors
• CBT and Adjunctive Treatments
• Evidence base for CBT in SAD
• Role and limitations of antidepressants, light therapy, and vitamin D
• Activity scheduling, behavioural activation, and social engagement
• Working with Couples and Families
• Team-based interventions and the impact of SAD on relationships
• Clinical Pitfalls and Therapist Mistakes
• Common errors in assessment, formulation, and intervention
• Addressing co-morbidity, individualising treatment, and cultural competence
• Self-care for clinicians treating SAD
• Case Study Reviews and Peer Consultation
• Application of techniques to anonymised and hypothetical cases
• Translating Knowledge Into Practice
• Tools for reflective practice, ongoing supervision, and continued professional development

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a structured approach to assessment and diagnosis of SAD
• Apply specific CBT techniques for managing SAD symptoms in real-world clinical contexts
• Avoid common clinical pitfalls and enhance client engagement
• Integrate adjunctive treatments into a holistic care plan
• Foster ongoing reflective and collaborative practice

Questions to Reflect on Before the Workshop

1. What strategies have you previously used for clients with seasonally-linked depression, and how effective were they?
2. How do you currently assess for the seasonal component of depressive symptoms in your practice?
3. Are you confident in distinguishing between SAD and other mood disorders—what diagnostic challenges have you faced?
4. What are your main barriers or concerns in applying CBT to SAD, either theoretically or practically?
5. How do you ensure your treatment plans are individualised and culturally sensitive, especially for clients with complex presentations of SAD?

This workshop will have a strong focus on techniques you can immediately integrate into your clinical work. Join us to sharpen your skills and optimise your impact on clients affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Who is leading this webinar?

Professor Patrick McGhee is a CBT therapist, psychologist and UK National Teaching Fellow. Educated at the universities of Glasgow and Oxford, he has completed CPD programmes at Harvard Business School and Ashridge. In 2017 he was a Visiting Fellow/Scholar at the universities of Cornell, Yale and MIT in the USA. He has taught, researched or practised in psychology and therapy for 30 years. His first post was a Research Fellow in Psychiatry and Psychology at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London. He is the author of Thinking Psychologically (Palgrave) and co-editor of Accounting for Relationships (Methuen). He is an occasional columnist for the Guardian, the BBC and the Times Higher. He currently works in private practice in Greater Manchester. He has full accreditation from the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies.

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