Christmas and New Year for Therapists: What Do You Want for Your Therapy Business During the Festive Season?

December has a funny way of bringing up questions for therapists: “Will it be quiet?” “Should I expect to be busy?” “Is this the time to slow down?” The truth is, there isn’t one single normal when it comes to therapy businesses over the Christmas and New Year period. It’s not about what usually happens; it’s about what you want this season to look like. This is as much about mindset as it is the actions of others; you don't have to be at the whim of everyone else.

Take a moment to reflect. Where are you now? How does this time of year usually feel for you? What was last December like? Steady, overwhelming, or stop-start? Use that knowledge as a guide, and then ask yourself the question: what do I want this year to look like? Decide to take control.

Maybe you thrive on riding the wave of the Christmas bustle, keeping your diary full as people treat themselves, de-stress, or prepare for the new year. Or maybe this is the season where you intentionally slow down, rest, and step away from the noise. Neither is right or wrong, the only thing that matters is making a conscious choice rather than drifting into December without a plan.

A Moment to Reflect

Grab a notebook or open your notes app, and spend a few minutes considering:

• What was last December like for me? Busy, quiet, or somewhere in between?
• How did I feel about that pace? Energised, stressed, content, or drained?
• What do I want this December to look and feel like?
• What steps can I take now to make that happen?

Decide Your Intentions Now

Whether you want to ride the Christmas bustle or step back and slow down, the key is to choose and then take action. Here are some clear steps for each path:

If you want to be BUSY this Christmas:

• Decide how many clients you want to see. Be specific: how many sessions per week feels right for you?
• Tell your existing clients NOW what hours you’ll be working over Christmas.
• Encourage advance bookings. Start recommending to clients now that they book their next two appointments so they don’t miss out. Frame it as “Christmas is a busy time for me and I am already taking bookings, so shall we plan your next couple of sessions to make sure we get you in?”
• Create demand before December hits. Don’t wait and hope, take control by filling your diary in advance.

If you want to SLOW DOWN this Christmas:

• Set your holiday dates. Decide clearly when you’ll be off and when you’ll be working.
• Communicate with clients early. Let them know your availability and encourage them to secure appointments either side of your break.
• Fill the time you are working. Just like the busy option, get clients to book ahead so the sessions you do have are full.
• Protect your downtime. Once your diary is set, honour it, this is your time to recharge.

The Bottom Line

Don’t sit back and “wait to see” what happens. If you assume no one will book, you’ll probably be right. If you decide you’ll be busy and take action to make it happen, you’ll likely be right too. Whether you’re working flat out or taking a well-earned rest, the power is in making the decision now and shaping the season on your terms.

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