Seasonal Anxiety Counseling Indiana PA
Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Couples Psychotherapy, Individual Psychotherapy, Gender Issues (MenÆs/WomenÆs Issues)
Ages Served
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Older adults (65 yrs. or older)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Pennsylvania State University
Credentialed Since: 2010-03-19
Individual Psychotherapy, Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Eating Disorder (e.g., compulsive eating, anorexia, bulimia), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Adjustment Disorder (e.g., bereavement, acad, job, mar, or fam prob)
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: W Virginia U
Credentialed Since: 2005-02-22
Psychological Assessment, Disorder Diagnosed in Infancy-Adolescence (e.g., ADHD, LD, MR, or Pervasive Devel Disorder), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder)
Ages Served
Infants (0-2 yrs.)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Credentialed Since: 2008-03-11
Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Disability Determination or Worker Compensation Evaluation, Individual Psychotherapy, Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), PostTraumatic Stress Disorder or Acute Trauma Reaction
Ages Served
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Credentialed Since: 2009-12-10
Credentials: LCSW
Licensed in Pennsylvania
30 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Autism/PDD, Depression, Family Dysfunction, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal Relationships, Stress, Life Transitions
Populations Served
Step Families
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59)
Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Adjustment Disorder (e.g., bereavement, acad, job, mar, or fam prob), PostTraumatic Stress Disorder or Acute Trauma Reaction, Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Psychoeducational Evaluation
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Older adults (65 yrs. or older)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
Credentialed Since: 2002-02-12
Couples Psychotherapy, Mood Disorder (e.g., depression, manic-depressive disorder), Anxiety Disorder (e.g., generalized anxiety, phobia, panic or obsessive-compulsive disorder), Adjustment Disorder (e.g., bereavement, acad, job, mar, or fam prob), Psychological Assessment
Ages Served
Adults (18-64 yrs.)
Adolescents (13-17 yrs.)
Children (3-12 yrs.)
Education Info
Doctoral Program: Kent State University
Credentialed Since: 2001-11-02
Paticia Downing-Rasich
Allentown, PA
Credentials: LSW, ACSW, MSM
25 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder, Behavioral Problems, Bipolar Disorders, Depression, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal Relationships, Psychoses/Major Mental Illness, Spiritual/Religious Concerns, Trauma/PTSD, Anger Management, T
Populations Served
ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), Children of Divorce, Disabled, Step Families, Cancer Patients
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Preschool (Under 6), Children (6-12), Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59)
Mary Lotspeich, Clinical Social Work
Lewisburg, PA
Credentials: LCSW
Licensed in Pennsylvania
25 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Aging, Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Behavioral Problems, Bipolar Disorders, Career/Employment Concerns, Child Abuse and Neglect, Couple or Marital Issues, Depression, Domestic Violence, Family Dysfunction, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal Relationships, Obsessive/Com
Populations Served
Children of Divorce, Disabled, Caregivers, Step Families, Chronic Illness, Grandparents
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Children (6-12), Adolescents (13-17), Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59), Seniors (60 +)
Sherri Williams, MSEd, LPC, NCC
Pittsburgh, PA
Credentials: MSEd, LPC, NCC
Licensed in Pennsylvania
8 Years of Experience
Problems Served
Addictions/Other (gambling, sex, etc.), Addictions/Substance, Anxiety/Panic Disorders, Couple or Marital Issues, Depression, Family Dysfunction, Grief/Loss, Interpersonal Relationships, Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder, Sexual Orientation, Spiritual/Religious
Populations Served
ACOA (Adult Children of Alcoholics), Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual, Caregivers, Step Families, Obese or Overweight, College Students, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)
Membership Organizations
HelpPro.com
Age Groups Served
Young Adults (18-25), Adults (26-59)
Relief from Seasonal Anxiety
Provided by: 
By Nancy Lonsdorf, MD
Every fall I start feeling anxious and crave sugar. Why does this happen in autumn?
There’s actually an explanation for seasonal anxiety. According to ayurveda, the changing weather affects your emotions as well as your body. When the weather turns cool, dry, and windy in late autumn and winter, it increases your vata dosha, which governs activity in the brain and nervous system. Too much vata can create excessive thoughts and anxiety. You may have felt some relief from anxiety during summer—when the hot, humid weather dampens vata—but once the cold weather returns, so does vata-based anxiety.
It makes sense that you would reach for the sweets, because pleasurable foods high in carbohydrates and fat are known to increase endorphins in the brain, which help maintain a calm, happy mood. Obviously, though, the downside of eating refined sugar (mood swings, obesity, and nutritional depletion) will only add to your anxiety in the long run.
Instead, take a clue from ayurveda, and choose wholesome sweet food instead of sugar to calm your worries, boost endorphin levels, and balance your vata. Rice, milk, fresh and dried fruits, as well as whole grains and other complex carbohydrates are all sweet by ayurvedic standards and will satisfy your craving without creating further imbalances.
Another solution: Reach for a soothing hot drink, which will calm your agitated vata by its warmth and hydrating effects. Rather than caffeine, which can add to anxiety, try steamed milk (latte, hold the café), chamomile tea, or a blend of chai-like spices. As I mentioned earlier, even plain hot spring water can do the trick and has the added bonus of reducing cravings and aiding digestion.
Some additional dietary tips to balance vata include favoring cooked foods over raw and moist foods over dry, crunchy ones. (Out with the crackers, in with the rice pudding!)
It’s also important to address your overall tendency toward anxiety. Practices that might help dampen your overactive sympathetic nervous system—your fight-or-flight response to stress and anxiety—such as meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises, as well as regular exercise and an early bedtime, can all help stress roll off your back both at work and at home.
Author: Nancy Lonsdorf, MD
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