Emotionally Preparing for the Holidaze
Starting therapy before the New Year
As the “Ber months” arrive, many people feel a pull toward change. There’s a desire to get finish out the year “strong”, take better care of ourselves, and get everything done before the year closes. But just as that momentum builds, the holidays arrive—and with them come old family dynamics, packed schedules, and heightened expectations.
Clients often describe this season as a mix of excitement and dread. Even if you don’t celebrate a specific holiday, the pressure of cultural messages about joy, peace, and gratitude can clash with feelings of stress, grief, or unresolved hurt. Add in the reality of family gatherings—where past conflicts and unequal division of responsibilities often resurface—and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. For those with anxiety, the “what ifs” grow louder: What if I say the wrong thing? What if conflict breaks out? What if I don’t make this year count?
Why Timing Matters
Therapists often see a tidal wave of new clients in December and January. People seek support either to recover from holiday stress or to make therapy part of their New Year’s resolutions. But starting before the holidays means you don’t have to walk into the season unprepared. You can enter family gatherings with grounding strategies, clear boundaries, and more awareness of the patterns you want to shift.
When therapy begins earlier, the holidays themselves become practice. You can try new coping skills in real time and notice how they shift your experience. By the time January arrives, you’re not starting from scratch—you’re already building on progress.
Therapy Tools That Help
Approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) can be especially powerful. Instead of being swept away by anxiety or frustration, IFS helps you slow down and notice the protective parts of yourself that show up. That awareness creates choice: you can decide how to respond, rather than being pulled into old cycles. Practical grounding exercises, preparation for difficult conversations, and permission to rest are also tools that make a difference during this busy season.
The Movement Into the New Year
Starting therapy now changes the trajectory of the year ahead. Rather than entering January exhausted and in recovery mode, you begin the new year with clarity and momentum. The insights and skills you gain before and during the holidays continue to carry forward, making goals for the new year feel more sustainable.
How to know you’re ready for therapy today
If you’ve been considering therapy, this is one of the best times to begin. The holiday season doesn’t have to be something you simply “get through.” With support, it can be a chance to show up differently—with more calm, confidence, and presence. Waiting until January often means postponing relief and walking into the busiest season for therapists. Beginning now gives you space, tools, and a steadier foundation when you may need it most. The questions to ask yourself are: What is the concern if I start therapy now? And: What is the concern if I don’t start now? The answers to those questions can give you perspective on what are the next best steps for you. And whenever you are ready, know that there is a resource here for you. All my best to you and every part of you!
