Summer is here: Should you take a break from therapy?
Thats a trick question! Of course not…kidding. It’s not black or white so let’s unpack that question to identify what you need.
Summer brings a shift in energy, vacations are planned, days are long, normally people want to spend time outside enjoying all that the summer sun has to offer. After a long winter it’s understandable to want to spend less time making commitments, or sitting in traffic.
Before making final decisions while getting caught up in the warmer weather, ask yourself “what do i need right now?” (besides sunscreen and a new swimsuit).
The answers may vary, maybe it’s less frequent sessions, or continuing as you are, taking time off when you go out of town, but the most important thing from my opinion is to make the decision with intention.
Everything often starts to feel better in summer, soaking up Vitamin D and being active outdoors your anxiety and depression symptoms can improve and feel more manageable which is why people often like to pause therapy. The thought is that “I don’t really need therapy right now” or that “therapy is only for moments of crisis”, however depending what your goals in therapy are, sometimes the most meaningful work happens when you aren’t in survival mode.
If you aren’t in crisis then your nervous system calms down enough to be able to process the more uncomfortable topics and when you're feeling more stable, you often have greater capacity to:
Reflect on patterns
Strengthen new coping skills
Process experiences without feeling overwhelmed
Practice showing up differently in relationships
Build a stronger sense of self
Therapy is so much more that just getting through the times that are challening, it’s about creating the life you want to live.
I hear the resistance - “so I’m supposed to talk about the worst stuff every week during summer? No thanks.”
Continuing therapy doesn't have to mean maintaining the exact same schedule….
You might benefit from:
Moving from weekly to biweekly sessions
Scheduling sessions around travel plans
Using therapy as a maintenance and support space
Checking in monthly during a busy season
There is no "right" frequency that works for everyone.
The goal is finding a rhythm that supports your growth while also honoring your current needs, energy, finances, and schedule.
One thing I often hear from people is:
"I don't want to hurt my therapist's feelings." or "I feel bad asking to come less often."
The truth is that a healthy therapeutic relationship should have room for these conversations!
You don't need a perfectly crafted explanation.
You can simply say:
"I've been thinking about my schedule this summer and wondering if we could reduce the amount we meet."
Or:
"I'm feeling more grounded lately and I'd like to explore what ongoing therapy might look like right now."
A good therapist won't take this personally. In fact, they can help you evaluate what would be most supportive for you.
If you're considering pausing therapy for the summer, ask yourself:
Am I feeling better because I've been doing consistent therapeutic work?
Have I achieved the goals that brought me to therapy?
Am I wanting a break because I genuinely need one, or because difficult topics are starting to surface?
If stress increased unexpectedly, would I feel supported without regular sessions?
What would I hope to gain from taking a break?
There aren't right or wrong answers.
These questions simply help you make a thoughtful decision rather than reacting to the season.
Summer can be a wonderful time to reconnect with yourself, spend time with loved ones, travel, and enjoy experiences that bring joy and meaning.
Therapy should support those goals, not compete with them. For some people, that means continuing their work consistently. For others, it means adjusting the pace. And for some, it means taking a temporary pause with a plan to return later.
The most important thing is remembering that therapy doesn't have to be all-or-nothing.
You are allowed to have a conversation about what is working, what isn't, and what you need in this season of life.
Because the goal isn't to attend therapy forever.
The goal is to create a life where you feel more connected to yourself, more confident in your choices, and better equipped to navigate whatever comes next.