Episode Length: ~40 minutes Guest: Anna Green, Licensed Mental Health Counselor & Licensed Professional Counselor, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Thrive Mental Health In this episode, host J.R. Sparrow sits down with Anna Green to unpack seasonal depression — what it is, how to recognize it, and why it's more than just "the winter blues." Anna shares her journey from art therapy in the UK to building a virtual intensive outpatient program, and offers practical strategies for navigating the darker months. Behind-the-scenes warmup — J.R. and Anna share lessons learned from grandparents (patience, etiquette, and manners) 0:00 Meet Anna Green — Her path into mental health: from art therapy in the UK to Thrive Mental Health in Florida 5:41 A career shaped by diverse experience — Working in schools, hospice care, acute settings, and voluntary treatment programs 6:50 Therapeutic approaches — EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, art therapy, and mentalization-based treatment explained 8:27 Building Thrive Mental Health — Why a virtual intensive outpatient program fills a critical gap in mental health care 10:18 Shameless Plug — Where to find Anna and Thrive Mental Health online 11:46 What is seasonal depression? — How it differs from simply feeling down, and why daylight changes impact mood, sleep, and energy 13:06 Can seasonal depression happen when life is going well? — Yes.
Anna explains the "prolonged sense of sadness" and why you don't need a reason to struggle 18:19 Misplaced guilt and the right to feel sad — Why comparing yourself to others stops you from seeking help, and how DBT teaches that two things can be true at once 19:03 Isolation: helpful recharging vs. unhealthy coping — How to tell the difference, and how to support a friend who's withdrawing 20:31 Treatment options at Thrive — Intensive outpatient programs, behavior activation, and why you should also check with your primary care doctor 23:30 Preparing for the darker months — Building a routine, creating a "cope ahead" plan, and locking in commitments before the season hits 25:23 The 20/20 Questions — Anna's first smile as a therapist, society's discomfort with depression (the "tissue issue"), thriving vs. surviving, and what COVID taught her about crisis care 27:57 The one thing Anna wishes everyone understood — Seasonal depression is real, it's okay to ask for help, and where to find it 36:29 Closing thoughts & first steps — J.R. Sparrow's call to action: reach out, don't dismiss what you're feeling, and connect with the people who want to help 38:45 Seasonal depression is more than a low day.
If it starts impacting your sleep, work, relationships, appetite, or ability to function, it's time to take it seriously. You can struggle even when life is going well. Depression doesn't need a "legitimate reason." Both gratitude and sadness can coexist. Misplaced guilt keeps people from seeking help.
Comparing your struggles to others perpetuates shame and judgment. Isolation can be healthy — until it isn't. Recharging is normal; withdrawing and ruminating is a warning sign.
Low-pressure social contact matters. Prepare before the darker months. Build a consistent routine, create a "cope ahead" plan, lock in commitments, and let your support network know what to watch for. Help is available.
Whether it's a primary care doctor, an existing therapist, an intensive outpatient program like Thrive, or the 988 crisis line — reach Website: Instagram: LinkedIn: X: Facebook: Anna on LinkedIn: Nate on LinkedIn: J.R. Sparrow — WV Uncommon Places, Uncommon Conversations WV Uncommon Places, Uncommon ConversationsSeasonal Depression with Anna Green, LMHC, LPCTopics & TimestampsKey TakeawaysGuest LinksHost
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