3 Tips for Taking Time Off this Summer

Are you planning to take a break from seeing clients this summer? Do you want to take a vacation, but struggle to actually set aside the time? If you are a counselor who struggles to take a break, you are not alone. According to a 2023 survey by Pew Research Center, 46% of American workers take less time off than they are offered. Among those who don’t take full advantage of their paid time off, 52% say that they don’t need to take more time off, 49% say they worry they may fall behind, and 43% feel badly about co-workers taking on extra work when providing coverage. Although this survey was not just focused on counselors or helping professionals, it certainly sounds familiar.

Do any of these sound like the reasons you don’t schedule time off?

We may preach wellness and self-care to our clients, but sometimes counselors are the worst at actually taking care of themselves. It is a common myth among mental health professionals that we cannot truly take a break from our clients. It does take some planning and boundary-setting to make it happen, but it is possible. You can still take time off even if you don’t spend money on an expensive vacation. Taking time away from work can be beneficial even if it’s more of a staycation. Consider the following 3 tips as you plan your time off this summer.

Plan ahead for caseload coverage

Start planning early so that you can ensure you have a solid plan for coverage that allows you to actually enjoy your time off. Depending on your work setting, this plan will look different. If you work at an organization where other colleagues can cover your caseload, you may need to coordinate with them in advance. If you are in private practice by yourself, it may be worth getting to know another therapist in your area who can provide backup coverage to your clients who may need a check-in while you are away. In preparation, you should give your colleague a heads up on any client issues that could come up while you are away. If possible, it also helps to introduce the client or do some kind of warm handoff to the therapist providing coverage.

Establish and clearly communicate boundaries

First, determine what boundaries will allow you to disengage from work and truly enjoy your time off. How ‘unplugged’ do you want to be? You may be someone who wants to check your email because staying in the loop is less stressful than not knowing anything. On the other hand, if you know that checking your email will stop you from being fully present on your vacation, you may want to delete your mail app from your phone so you aren’t tempted to check it. Do you want a designated work colleague to contact you in case of emergency or would you rather not hear about any client issues while you are away? Make your plan based on what works best for you and then clearly communicate this to colleagues and clients. If you want to completely ‘unplug’ (i.e., no emails, no calls, no work at all), then you should explain this to your work colleagues and clients so that they know you are unreachable.

Prepare clients for your absence

You should always work with clients ahead of time to prepare for your absence. Some clients may need more preparation than others. This is particularly important for clients who are working through issues related to abandonment, loss, or have any safety concerns. Give them time to process any thoughts or emotions that your absence may bring up for them. To determine what supports to implement, use your clinical judgment, and ask clients what they need. Reinforce healthy coping strategies they can use during your absence and create a safety plan when appropriate. Some clients may need all of these extra supports to get them through your absence, while other clients may not need anything.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully these 3 tips help you to prioritize taking a break sometime soon. You should be taking regular breaks from seeing clients, even if it does take a little extra work to make that happen. It may be difficult to do, but try to set boundaries so you can completely unplug. If you find yourself thinking about work while you are away, take note of those thoughts. Reflect on how you can make adjustments so that you can fully relax and enjoy your time away. Your clients and work stress can wait until you return. You have earned some time away.

This blog was written by Dr. Olivia Bentley, Founder of Well Counselor.