Can You Afford to Take Christmas Off in Private Practice?
The Real Question is Can You Afford NOT To?
For many of us, this is the last week in the office for 2025, and I don’t know about you, but for many, this has felt like a tough year in private practice. I know I’m not the only therapist who’s noticed referrals are slower or less predictable. We’re having to work much harder on our marketing to keep caseloads steady. And clients are definitely being more careful with money.
Before we discuss Christmas specifically, let me reassure you. If you’ve felt wobbly this year, you are not alone. Everyone is feeling the pinch financially and the online business world is changing rapidly due to AI.
At the same time, well-being and mental health are still something people are investing in. There will always be demand for the work we do because mental health underpins everything: work, family life, parenting, and relationships.
With this in mind, I’ve recently written about how I’ll be doing things differently in 2026.
📌 How I’ll be Getting Clients in 2026 (Without Dropping My Fees)
Today, I want to zoom in on Christmas as a timely, practical example of my approach to building a business that works for both you and your clients.
Time Off at Christmas? But it’s the Most Expensive Time of Year!
On paper, the idea of taking two weeks off at Christmas as a self-employed therapist might sound scary. Your internal monologue probably sounds something like this:
‘If I don’t work, I don’t get paid. No income with all those presents to buy?! What if the referrals dry up? What if January is quiet? Can I really afford to take a break with everything going up in price?’
I want you to reframe that final question. Instead of asking whether you can afford to take Christmas off, I want you to consider whether you can afford not to – financially, emotionally, and clinically.
My Experience Working Over Christmas
I haven’t always taken time off in December. In the past, when I used to work over Christmas, I noticed clients tend to be busy and distracted. They’re travelling, out of their usual routine, and it’s not uncommon for sessions to get rearranged, cancelled, or forgotten. To me, it never felt like high-quality clinical work. It felt ‘bitty’ and stop-start.
This is why I believe Christmas is a good time to reset and close properly for two weeks. When I do, I always find I come back in January with more energy and clarity. Remember, taking a break is an important part of being a sustainable therapist, not an indulgence.
You Can Take Time Off at Christmas. You Just Need a Plan
So, we’ve established Christmas is, clinically and practically, an ideal time for a break. But how do you make it happen?
The answer is planning and cash flow, not working yourself into the ground. Simple systems – saving percentages, waiting lists, packages – make time off at Christmas an achievable goal.
(I’ve just refreshed the guide to setting the right fee - download Here)
📍Start Here: Saving 1–5% of Your Income for Holiday & Sick Pay
I always save a percentage of my income for time off and illness. It mounts up faster than you think, giving me a financial buffer that feels reassuring and safe. Here are my tips so you can do the same:
Aim to save 5% of your income in a separate pot (call it ‘Holiday & Sick Pay’). If 5% feels impossible, start with 1-2%.
Keep the pot separate (not in your everyday account).
Remember, this money isn’t ‘spare’. It’s your paid time off. Gradually, this pot becomes what I call your ‘pause and take a breath’ fund.
Other Practical Ways to Make Christmas Time Off Work
1. Plan for December & January as a Pair
It can be helpful to think of December and January as a single time period. Encourage clients to pre-book January sessions before you close for Christmas. Give them a gentle nudge: ‘Let’s get your January sessions in the diary now.’
You could also try front-loading December slightly (but only if it fits with your energy and capacity). For example, add 1–2 extra client slots a week in the first half of December, so your income is a bit higher going into the break.
2. Offer or Highlight Packages / Blocks of Sessions
Encouraging clients to buy packages in November/December can give you a nice cash flow boost before the Christmas break. You could offer 6-session or 8-session blocks paid upfront or a short December ‘review and reset’ package.
Packages must always be clinically thoughtful and promoted without pressure. Frame your marketing around continuity and support, not fear or scarcity.
📌 Should Therapists Offer Packages Instead of Just Hourly Sessions?
📌 How to Structure a Therapy Package
3. Give the Gift of Therapy
Have you ever considered offering gift vouchers for an assessment and follow-up session? These could be purchased in November/December and redeemed in January/February.
Again, ethical considerations are important. There should be no pressure to buy or redeem a gift voucher and surprise gifts for unwilling recipients are an absolute no-no.
4. Review Your Prices with Your Time Off in Mind
When you work for yourself, you’re not just paid for the hours in the chair. Your fee has to cover:
Holidays
Sick days
CPD
Supervision
If you always feel like you can’t afford time off, it might be a sign your fees need a review in 2026.
📌 Can You Ever Charge Too Much for Therapy?
5. Trim or Pause Non-Essential Business Expenses in December
Small, temporary reductions can make the ‘no-income fortnight’ feel less scary. Check whether any subscriptions can be paused or downgraded for a month and hold off on unnecessary purchases until January.
6. Communicate Early and Clearly with Clients
Give clients plenty of notice of your Christmas closure dates. I’d recommend both verbal and written reminders. Put dates on:
Your email signature
Auto-reply (from X date)
Booking system
Normalise taking a break and model boundaries. For example, ‘I’ll be off from X to Y so I can rest, be fully present with family, and come back ready for the important work we’re doing together.’
7. Use a Waiting List to Keep Enquiries Warm
Don’t just say no when you’re full or about to take time off. Instead, offer a recommendation to another therapist or a place on your waiting list. If someone opts for your waiting list, take their details and let them know when you’ll be back in touch (e.g. first week of Jan).
Not sure what to write in that email? In my next post, I’ll be sharing how to manage an ethical, sustainable waiting list so it supports your business and client care.
Your Next Steps…
Choose a savings percentage (1%, 2%, or 5%) and set up a separate pot now.
Decide your exact Christmas closure dates and tell your clients this week.
Join Therapists Corner for ongoing support with the business side of private practice.
I’m curious. What would it take for you to feel genuinely okay about taking two weeks off this Christmas?