A Clinician’s Guide to Planning for Winter Breaks in Therapy

The winter holiday season often brings changes in routines, travel plans, and family responsibilities. For clinicians, these months can be both busy and unpredictable. Planning ahead for treatment breaks is essential to maintain continuity of care, manage your own schedule, and ensure clients feel supported even when sessions are paused.

Give Clients Plenty of Advance Notice

Early communication is critical. Sharing your planned breaks or office closures well in advance allows clients to adjust their schedules, avoid last-minute cancellations, and plan around important sessions. This transparency also reinforces professional boundaries and demonstrates respect for the client’s time and therapeutic process.

Consider including your break schedule in multiple formats:

• Emails or portal messages: A professional reminder sent through Great Lakes Psychology Group’s secure client portal.

• Session reminders: Briefly reviewing upcoming closures during regular sessions helps clients anticipate and prepare for the break.

• Website or social media updates: If you maintain an online presence for your practice, update it with holiday hours to reduce confusion.

Ensure Coverage and Access to Support

Even with well-planned breaks, clients may encounter challenges while you’re away. Establishing a clear plan for accessibility or coverage is essential:

• Coverage: If possible, arrange coverage through colleagues.

• Emergency resources: Provide clients with information about crisis hotlines, local mental health services, or your professional organization’s guidance for urgent situations.

• Secure client portal access: Through the Great Lakes Psychology Group portal, clients can receive messages, reminders, and updates even while sessions are paused.

• Clear communication: Ensure clients understand when and how they can reach you if needed, even if only for emergencies.

Having a structured plan reassures clients that they are supported and minimizes anxiety about interruptions in therapy.

Benefits of Thoughtful Winter Break Planning

Planning ahead for winter breaks benefits both clients and clinicians:

• For clients: They feel informed, supported, and prepared for the time away from therapy, which can reduce anxiety and encourage continued engagement.

• For clinicians: Structured planning allows you to manage your schedule, maintain boundaries, and reduce stress during a season that is often busy personally and professionally.

• For the therapeutic relationship: Advance preparation and transparency strengthen trust and reinforce that therapy is collaborative, even during breaks.

Practical Tips for Clinicians

• Block your holiday schedule early and share it with clients.

• Use the final sessions before the break to address seasonal challenges.

• Reinforce coping strategies and self-care skills clients can use independently.

• Confirm access to crisis resources and clarify your availability.

• Encourage clients to schedule sessions before or after the break to maintain continuity.

• Use the secure client portal to send reminders, updates, and messages related to your schedule.

By thoughtfully planning for winter breaks, clinicians create stability for clients, uphold professional boundaries, and ensure the therapeutic process continues smoothly across the holiday season.