From trauma therapy to couples counseling, Arkham Rise offers a roadmap for healing and hope.
The Holiday Paradox: Joy and Stress Intertwined
December in Lakeland, Florida, is a season of lights, family gatherings, and reflection. Yet for many, it’s also a time of stress, loneliness, or financial strain. National surveys show that 64% of people with mental illness report worsening symptoms during the holidays, with spikes in anxiety, depression, and grief.
Contrary to popular belief, psychiatric hospital admissions actually decrease at Christmas, according to a systematic review of 25 studies. This doesn’t mean people aren’t struggling—it means many lean on informal supports like family, rituals, or faith communities. Still, holiday depression is real: symptoms of depression increase by nearly 19% during December and January. Financial pressure, family conflict, grief, and social comparison all play a role.
For Lakeland families, where traditions run deep and community ties are strong, the pressure to create a “perfect holiday” can feel overwhelming. Counseling helps reframe expectations into what experts call a “good-enough holiday”—one centered on connection and authenticity rather than perfection.
You don’t have to fake joy to deserve healing. Therapy meets you where you are.
Evidence-Based Counseling Approach
Arkham Rise Counseling offers mental health treatment in Lakeland, FL that blends compassion with clinical rigor. Our licensed therapists use:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to reframe negative thought patterns and reduce holiday-related anxiety.
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to build emotional flexibility and help clients stay grounded.
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) for trauma therapy, especially for those triggered by holiday memories.
- Faith-integrated counseling for those seeking Christian counseling near them, blending spiritual values with psychological tools.
These therapies are not abstract—they’re practical tools that help people in Polk County manage stress, grief, and family dynamics.
Medication Management That’s Integrated
For some, counseling alone isn’t enough. Evidence shows that combining therapy with medication leads to higher rates of improvement in chronic depression.
Common medications include:
- SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as sertraline or fluoxetine, often prescribed for depression and anxiety.
- SNRIs (Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) like venlafaxine, which can help with both mood and physical symptoms such as fatigue.
- NDRIs (Norepinephrine-Dopamine Reuptake Inhibitors) such as bupropion, which may be useful for those with low energy.
These medications typically take 4–8 weeks to show full effect, and side effects are usually mild and temporary. At Arkham Rise, our Integrated Medication Management program ensures clients receive coordinated care between therapists and psychiatric nurse practitioners, reducing confusion and improving outcomes.
Medication isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about clearing the fog so you can heal.
Kids and Children: Counseling During the Holidays
Children and teens often feel the weight of the season just as much as adults—sometimes more. At Arkham Rise, we see an increase in families seeking counseling for kids and children during December and January. The most common reasons include:
- Academic stress: End-of-semester exams and report cards can trigger anxiety.
- Family transitions: Divorce, custody schedules, or blended family gatherings often surface during the holidays.
- Grief and loss: Children may struggle with the absence of loved ones during family-centered celebrations.
- Social pressure: Teens especially feel comparison stress around gifts, parties, and social media.
- Behavioral changes: Younger children may act out due to disrupted routines, overstimulation, or financial stress at home.
Counseling provides a safe space for kids and children to process emotions, learn coping skills, and build resilience. Evidence-based approaches like play therapy, CBT for children, and family therapy help them feel seen and supported.
Children don’t need perfect holidays—they need safe spaces to talk about their feelings.
Teens and Young Adults: Navigating Identity, Stress, and Change
The holiday season and the start of a new year can be especially complex for teens and young adults. While children often struggle with routine disruptions, older adolescents and young adults face deeper questions of identity, independence, and belonging. In Lakeland, where many families balance strong traditions with modern pressures, this age group often feels caught between expectation and autonomy.
Common Reasons Teens and Young Adults Seek Counseling in December
- Academic pressure: Final exams, college applications, and semester grades can trigger anxiety and self-doubt.
- Social comparison: Social media amplifies feelings of inadequacy, especially around holiday gatherings, gifts, and peer activities.
- Relationship stress: Romantic breakups, friendship conflicts, or strained family dynamics often surface during this season.
- Identity exploration: Teens and young adults wrestle with questions of faith, career direction, and personal values—often magnified by New Year’s resolutions.
- Mental health symptoms: Depression, anxiety, and substance use risks can increase during holiday downtime.
Evidence-Based Approaches for Teens and Young Adults
Arkham Rise Counseling uses therapies tailored to this life stage:
- CBT and DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) to help manage emotional regulation, impulsivity, and negative thought patterns.
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) to support values-based decision-making and identity development.
- Group counseling for peer connection, including trauma recovery circles and relationship reset groups.
- Medication management when needed, especially for anxiety, ADHD, or mood disorders, coordinated with therapy for best outcomes.
For teens and young adults in Polk County, counseling often means balancing family expectations with personal independence. Whether it’s a UCF student navigating finals, a high schooler managing peer pressure, or a young adult facing career uncertainty, Arkham Rise provides trauma-informed, approachable care that meets them where they are.
Couples, Conflict, and Connection
Relationship stress often peaks during the holidays. Arkham Rise offers marriage counseling, couples therapy, and conflict resolution coaching to help partners reconnect. Our couples conflict roadmap includes:
- Identifying communication breakdowns
- Rebuilding trust through shared goals
- Learning emotional regulation strategies
- Navigating faith, family, and finances together
Whether you’re newly dating or decades into marriage, our therapists help you move from reactive to reflective.
Looking Ahead: Mental Health in the New Year
The start of a new year often inspires resolutions, but research shows that small, realistic goals are more sustainable than sweeping changes. Therapist-approved resolutions include:
- Practicing daily gratitude or affirmations
- Setting boundaries around finances and social commitments
- Prioritizing rest and hydration
- Limiting social media to reduce comparison stress
- Scheduling regular therapy check-ins for accountability
For Lakeland residents, this might mean choosing one or two intentional practices—like walking Lake Hollingsworth weekly, journaling gratitude, or scheduling regular counseling sessions—to build resilience throughout 2026.
Why Arkham Rise Counseling?
Unlike large national platforms, Arkham Rise is rooted in Central Florida’s community values. Our counselors understand the unique blend of Southern traditions, family expectations, and local stressors.
We are your local mental health clinic, offering:
- Counseling services for individuals, couples, and families
- Trauma therapy for children and adults
- Relationship counseling tailored to local families
- Anxiety treatment with evidence-based approaches
- Depression therapy for both adults and children
- Arkham Careers for clinicians seeking meaningful work in Polk County
Whether you’re searching for effective coping mechanisms, dedicative relationship counseling, or just someone who gets it—Arkham Rise is here.
Schedule Your Session Today
Ready to take the next step? Explore our services, meet our team, or apply for open roles. Healing doesn’t have to wait until January.