Associate therapist Erma Kyriakos is offering an online holiday support group this year. The holidays can be tough for many reasons and it helps to have a place to connect during this time.
When the Most Wonderful Time of Year Doesn’t Feel Wonderful At All
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration. But for many people, the reality is far different. If you’ve ever felt a knot in your stomach when you see holiday decorations go up, or experienced that sinking feeling while scrolling through social media posts of perfect family gatherings, you’re not alone.
The holidays can bring up complex emotions: grief for loved ones who are no longer here, loneliness when you’re separated from family, financial stress, relationship tensions, or simply the exhaustion of trying to keep up with everyone else’s expectations. And sometimes, the pressure to be joyful makes the sadness feel even heavier.
The Hidden Reality of Holiday Depression
While holiday advertising would have us believe everyone is gathered around a fireplace with cocoa and laughter, research tells a different story. Mental health professionals consistently report increased rates of anxiety, depression, and stress during the holiday season. The contrast between societal expectations and personal reality can be particularly painful.
Common experiences during the holidays include:
- Grief that feels magnified – The absence of loved ones can feel especially acute during family-centered holidays. Whether it’s the first holiday season after a loss or the tenth, grief doesn’t follow a timeline.
- Social isolation and loneliness – Not everyone has a large family gathering to attend. Some people are geographically distant from loved ones, estranged from family, or simply don’t have close connections nearby.
- Financial pressure – The expectation to buy gifts, host gatherings, or travel can create significant stress, especially when budgets are tight.
- Family dynamics and old wounds – Returning to family settings can reactivate old relationship patterns, unresolved conflicts, or feelings of being misunderstood.
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – Shorter days and less sunlight can contribute to depression, making an already difficult season even harder. NAMI reports that millions of Americans experience SAD.
- The comparison trap – Social media can intensify feelings of inadequacy when it seems like everyone else is having a magical holiday experience.
You Don’t Have to Navigate This Season Alone
This year, take the opportunity to try something different: find a safe harbor during the holiday storm. The Holiday Blues Support Group, led by Associate Marriage and Family Therapist Erma Kyriakos, is designed specifically for people who are struggling during this season.
This isn’t about toxic positivity or forcing yourself to “just be grateful.” This is a space where you can be honest about how you’re really feeling, connect with others who understand, and develop practical tools to get through this season with more ease and self-compassion.
What Makes This Support Group Different
Real Connection, Not Superficial Cheer
In this group, you won’t be asked to put on a happy face or pretend everything is fine. Erma Kyriakos specializes in helping people navigate difficult emotions and build authentic connections, this group creates a container where you can be genuinely seen and heard. Erma’s background in trauma-informed care, emotionally focused therapy, and nervous system regulation means she understands how to create safety for people dealing with complex emotions.
Evidence-Based Coping Tools
You’ll learn practical, research-backed strategies for managing stress, regulating your nervous system, and coping with difficult emotions. These aren’t just feel-good platitudes; they’re concrete skills you can use both during the holidays and beyond.
A Community That Understands
There’s something powerful about being in a room (even a virtual one) with people who “get it.” You don’t have to explain why you’re struggling or justify your feelings. In this group, your experience is valid, and you’ll find support from others walking a similar path.
Emotional Steadiness Through the Season
Rather than just surviving until January, you’ll work on building genuine emotional resilience. The group runs throughout the entire holiday season, providing consistent support from early November through the end of December when you need it most.
Holiday Support Group Details
Dates: Tuesdays, November 11 through December 30, 2025 (8 sessions)
Time: 5:30–7:00 PM PST
Format: Online via secure Zoom (attend from the comfort of your own home)
Investment: $50–$80 per session on a sliding scale (making support accessible regardless of financial situation)
Group Size: 8–12 participants (small enough for meaningful connection, large enough for diverse perspectives)
What You’ll Gain
- A safe space to be real and feel seen – No judgment, no pressure to be okay when you’re not
- Support from others who truly understand – Connect with people navigating similar challenges
- Tools for coping with stress, sadness, and loneliness – Practical strategies you can use immediately
- More emotional steadiness through the holidays – Build resilience rather than just white-knuckling through
About Your Holiday Support Group Facilitator
Erma Kyriakos, AMFT137020 (supervised by Crystal Haviland, LPCC7633) brings a warm, grounded presence to her work. Specializing in emotional resilience, connection, and compassionate communication, Erma creates a therapeutic environment where people feel safe to explore their authentic experiences.
Asker about her psychology training, Erma shares:
“I have group training at Stanford Introductory T-Group and Gestalt Awareness practice and well as leading Trauma-Informed drop in support groups. My relational training is in Gestalt Awareness Practice, Relational Life Therapy, PACT, and The Gottman Method.”
Erma works with adults, highly sensitive people, and individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. Her approach emphasizes building safety, exploring patterns that keep people stuck, and cultivating lasting change.
Is This Group Right for You?
This support group may be a good fit if you:
- Feel overwhelmed, sad, or anxious as the holidays approach
- Are grieving a loss and dreading holiday gatherings without your loved one
- Feel isolated or disconnected from others during this season
- Experience pressure to appear happy when you’re struggling internally
- Want practical tools for managing difficult emotions
- Could benefit from connection with others who understand
- Are willing to show up authentically and support others in their journey
Creating a Different Holiday Experience
Participating in this group doesn’t mean the holidays will suddenly become easy or pain-free. But it does mean you don’t have to face this season alone. It means having a place where your real feelings matter, where you can learn ways to care for yourself during difficult times, and where you can find connection instead of isolation.
Sometimes the most radical act of self-care is acknowledging that we’re struggling and reaching out for support.
If you’re interested in participating in the Holiday Blues Support Group, or if you have questions, please reach out to Erma directly:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (415) 761-3494
We encourage you to reach out soon, as group size is limited to 8–12 participants to ensure everyone can be heard and supported.
Additional Resources for Holiday Stress
While this support group offers structured, ongoing support throughout the season, here are some additional strategies for managing holiday blues:
- Set realistic expectations – You don’t have to do everything or please everyone. It’s okay to scale back on traditions or create new ones that work better for you.
- Establish boundaries – It’s okay to say no to events or obligations that will deplete you. Protecting your energy is essential.
- Maintain routines – Continue with exercise, sleep schedules, and other self-care practices even when schedules get busy.
- Limit social media – If comparing yourself to others’ highlight reels is making you feel worse, take a break.
- Reach out for professional support – Whether through this support group, individual therapy, or other mental health services, asking for help is a sign of strength.
The holidays don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful. And you don’t have to go through them alone. If this season feels heavy, we invite you to consider joining Erma to navigate these weeks together, with honesty, compassion, and genuine support.
For more information about Erma Kyriakos and her therapeutic approach, visit therapywitherma.com or see her profile here at Center for Mindful Therapy. We also have a therapist interview with Erma for you to read.
Center for Mindful Therapy is located in California, and serves clients throughout the state both in person and via secure telehealth platforms. We are committed to providing accessible, compassionate mental health support to individuals, couples, and families.