Summer can bring a natural pause to our routines. Travel, family plans, or just the desire to soak up good weather often means clients take a break from therapy—or think about it. This is actually very common, and most therapists notice their schedules slow down this time of year. That makes a lot of sense. And sometimes a short break is part of what balance looks like.
But in many cases, what starts as a brief pause can stretch longer than intended—and that can quietly slow the progress you’ve been working toward.
Whether you’re working through long-standing patterns, navigating changes, setting healthy boundaries, or trying to manage anxiety, depression, or stress, consistency in therapy—not just over the summer, but year-round—actually matters.
Therapy is more than just support in hard moments
People often come to therapy because something isn’t working. But the goal isn’t just to feel better in the moment—it’s to understand what’s beneath the surface: the patterns, beliefs, and experiences that shape how you relate to yourself and others.
This deeper exploration takes time. It also takes steadiness. You might gain insight quickly, but creating real change—change that holds up under stress—requires consistent reflection, practice, and support along the way.
Momentum is easier to maintain than to rebuild
It’s very normal to begin therapy with weekly or bi-weekly sessions and gradually shift to check-ins every few weeks or monthly. This can reflect meaningful progress.
But when there’s a longer pause—say, two months or more—it can take time to find your footing again. And if you’re in the early stages of therapy, even a short break can cut off progress before it really has a chance to take hold.
This isn’t about doing anything wrong. It’s simply that the momentum, insights, and emotional openness you’ve started to build may need some reworking after a long gap. Therapists often plan your next session based on what came up for you during the previous session. When there’s an extended break, it’s harder to maintain that continuity—especially if new challenges have emerged during the time away—so it can take a little extra time to get back into the flow of the work.
Support matters most when things feel shaky
Even if things are going well overall, most people still hit difficult days—conflict with a partner, work stress, self-doubt creeping in again. When those moments happen, regular therapy can help you respond rather than react.
It’s also a space where slips, stuck points, or old patterns can be processed without judgment. This is often where the most growth happens—not by avoiding setbacks, but by learning from them with support.
What if you need or want a break?
Sometimes taking a break from therapy is necessary—whether it’s for travel, financial reasons, scheduling conflicts, or simply needing space. If you’re considering a pause, it’s worth talking through with your therapist. Together, you can explore:
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What feels manageable in terms of timing and frequency
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What the potential impact of a longer break might be
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What supports (if any) you can put in place during that time
If you’re wondering how to stay engaged in your growth during a break, you might like Taking Charge of Your Healing Journey—my blog post about the role you play in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. A good therapist will respect that and support you either way.
If it’s been a while, you can always come back
Some people intentionally take a planned break from therapy—sometimes booking their next appointment before the break even starts. Others plan to return but then find themselves drifting away, or life gets busy and time slips by unexpectedly.
Whether your break was planned or unplanned, you can always come back. Sometimes your therapist may reach out to check in, gently reconnecting. And if you decide to reach out yourself, know that most therapists are genuinely happy to hear from you and ready to support you whenever you’re ready to return.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed about a long gap. Therapy isn’t about doing things perfectly. Most therapists understand that people come back when they’re ready, and you’ll be welcomed warmly when you do.
Thinking of reconnecting?
Therapy doesn’t have to be weekly forever. But finding a rhythm that keeps you supported and engaged is key—especially if you’re navigating something active or still in the earlier stages of your work.
Whether your break was planned but lasted longer than expected, or an unplanned pause that just happened, if you’re considering coming back to therapy, don’t hesitate to reach out. Your therapist will likely be glad to reconnect and support you again as you continue your journey.
I work with adults across Ontario managing high functioning anxiety, burnout, boundary setting, and life transitions. Sessions are 100% virtual, so therapy can work with your life—not just around it.
