Taking Vacation As A Therapist

To vacation or not to vacation… that is the question.

If you’re a therapist, especially one who isn’t salaried, it’s a question that hits close to home. We put our clients’ needs before our own. Often, we even put them before our family’s needs. We entered this field because we care deeply, but somewhere along the way, “self-care” became something we prescribe rather than practice.

The Reality of Taking Vacation as a Therapist

Taking vacation as a therapist can feel complicated. Who will support your clients? What if someone needs you? What about the loss of income?

These are valid concerns, but avoiding time off isn’t sustainable. A 2023 American Psychological Association (APA) survey found that nearly 46% of mental health professionals report feeling burned out, with private practice clinicians being the most likely to say they “rarely” disconnect from work. Burnout not only impacts our wellbeing, it affects our ability to show up fully and effectively for our clients.

Vacations aren’t indulgent. They’re preventative care for your professional longevity.

Recently I took a five day long vacation, and I'd be remiss to not let you know that I felt nervous about it, for all of the reasons listed above. But there was a lingering voice of one respected colleague of mine, a therapist who has been in practice for decades, who takes two one-week vacations every year, without fail. She admits it’s not easy. There’s planning, client communication, financial juggling. But she also says, “I need a break for my soul. I need uninterrupted time with my family.”

Over the years, she’s learned that rest isn’t a reward; it’s a responsibility and decided to buy into this thought process a little bit more.

Here’s what I did and recommend to do to prepare:

Set Yourself Up for Success

If taking vacation as a therapist feels impossible, start small, but make sure you start. Here are a few ways to make it work without guilt or chaos:

1. Plan Ahead (and Communicate Early)

Give clients several weeks’ notice. Discuss coping plans for your absence, and identify anyone who might need additional support. Transparency builds trust.

2. Create Coverage Options

Establish relationships with trusted colleagues who can offer brief coverage in emergencies. If you’re in private practice, this peer safety net is invaluable.

3. Set Financial Expectations

Budget for time off throughout the year. Whether it’s a few unpaid days or a longer break, planning ahead can help minimize financial stress.

4. Lean on Your Community

Isolation is one of the biggest challenges for therapists in private practice. Connect with peer consultation and supervision groups; spaces where you can share resources, find backup, and feel supported in both clinical and business decisions.

Vacations are not just for rest, they are for perspective. Research consistently shows that taking time off improves cognitive function, emotional regulation, and overall job satisfaction. In other words, you come back better, not only for yourself but for your clients.

The work we do is meaningful and demanding. It asks for emotional depth, presence, and patience. But those qualities can’t thrive if we never refill our own cup.

So yes, taking vacation as a therapist may feel complicated, but it’s also an act of modeling healthy boundaries and self-care for the very people we serve.

Ready to Build Your Peer Support Network?

If you’re tired of feeling alone in private practice or anxious about stepping away from your clients, it’s time to find your people. Here are some fantastic resources where you can receive supervision and peer support networks:

Toni Teixeira and James Castorina run supervision groups that allow you to case conference and also build relationships that can assist you in other aspects of your practice. Through groups like these you can find peers so you can gain confidence and support in your day to day (plus great networking opportunities to find coverage while you go away!).

For Women that practice in New Jersey, NJAWT is fantastic a resource that provides ongoing education, support, and networking.

You deserve a community that supports the fact that you need a break too.