Holiday Self-Care For Therapists

The weeks go by fast and suddenly, the holidays are upon us once again. As therapists, this time of year can bring unique challenges. Between trying to fit in client appointments, preparing for the year ahead, and wanting to be present with family, it can feel like there’s barely a moment to breathe.

I’ve learned to give myself a lot of grace during this season. Halloween has always been my favorite holiday, and I often feel the mix of joy and sadness as I transition from my favorite time of year to the busy months ahead. I find comfort in my family, my nieces and nephew make this season magical, yet I also hold space for grief as I miss loved ones who are no longer here.

As a provider, you’re a person too. It’s easy to remind your clients that they can hold multiple emotions at once; joy and sadness, grief and gratitude, and it’s important to take your own advice. Holiday self-care for therapists isn’t just about slowing down; it’s about honoring the full range of what this season brings, personally and professionally.

Therapist Burnout During the Holidays: Why Pacing Matters

One of the biggest challenges therapists face during this time is burnout. The pressure to accommodate clients before the year ends can be overwhelming. But just because the calendar is full doesn’t mean your energy has to be depleted.

Start with a realistic schedule. Don’t list everything you want to do and expect it to fit into one week. Instead:

• Create a master “wish list” for bigger goals.

• Make a weekly to-do list that reflects what’s truly possible.

  Break that list down into daily tasks that feel manageable.

This helps protect your time and energy so you can continue showing up for your clients and yourself.

Schedule Time for You. It’s a myth that self-care time will magically appear. During the holidays, every spare minute gets claimed…unless you claim it first.

• Block time on your calendar for rest and reflection. 

• Label it “me time,” and treat it like a non-negotiable appointment. Even just a few hours each week can help you decompress, reset, and reconnect to your purpose as a therapist.

This practice of pacing yourself during the holidays ensures you don’t run on empty and helps you model healthy boundaries for your clients, too.

Check out additional options for practicing self care for therapists HERE

When you practice holiday self-care as a therapist, it naturally extends to your clients, creating more grounded, authentic sessions during this busy time of year.

As a therapist, you spend so much time helping others manage their emotions that you often forget to honor your own. You are allowed to feel tired. You are allowed to feel joy and sadness at the same time. You are allowed to take time off.

The best gift you can give your clients, and yourself,  is presence.

And presence comes from rest, boundaries, and compassion.

Remember: you are not just a provider. You are a human beings navigating this season too.

If the end-of-year rush has you feeling overwhelmed, give yourself permission to pause. Let’s connect for a supervision session that helps you regroup and refocus for what’s next.

See if it’s a fit for you HERE.