No, You Shouldn’t Pause Therapy This Summer (And What to Do If You Already Have)

Should you pause therapy during summer? Absolutely not. And if you have, I’m calling the cops.

If you are in Calgary like I am, you know the deal: the layers are off! The clothes are getting fewer! Your skin looks fantastic. You feel lighter—chemically speaking, you actually are. Thank you, melatonin! 

Were you really that stressed? Maybe you don’t have intimacy issues.

Did you even need therapy… or were you just being dramatic?

That, right there, is the trap.

If you’re not paying attention, the summer season lets you coast into September with unresolved anxiety, relational patterns on repeat, and a false sense of control that crumbles at the end of the season.

You could be on the other side of the coin, where summer is not getting you excited like it is doing other people. 

This post isn’t about scaring you or convincing you to start or continue therapy. 

It’s about exposing the summer myths that mess with your mental health and making sure your seasonal break doesn’t turn into a full-on emotional regression.

Dive in! 

Mental Health Issues Common During Summer

• Summer Seasonal Affective Disorder (Summer SAD)
• Toxic Family Gatherings
• Unhealthy Relationships

Summer SAD

Almost everyone and their grandmamas know about winter depression. But summer depression? This is the mental health struggle that is both less popular and less acknowledged.

The sun is blazing. There are people everywhere. Sleeping is almost impossible, and you just feel overstimulated.

But when you complain, people look at you like you’re not right in the head. “But it’s so beautiful outside! Why don’t you just go to the beach?”

Do yourself a huge favor and consult with a therapist. Summer is the proven best time to begin or continue therapy. Not only does the “relaxation” of other people who pause therapy during summer open up space for you, but also, providers use this period to get more training, which means you will be getting someone who is up to date on the latest approaches. 

Until then, here are 3 ways to support yourself when dealing with Summer SAD

• Find the coolest, quietest space in your home and make it your sanctuary

• Say no early: If the thought of another gathering makes your stomach turn, decline now, not when you’re already half-dressed and regretting it.

• Pick low-sensory escapes: Museums. Libraries. Air-conditioned cinemas. Bookshops. Quiet cafés. Therapy offices.

• Track your triggers: Does noise irritate you? Heat? Keep a note in your phone. Patterns will help you prepare next time.

• Don’t gaslight yourself: Just because it’s sunny doesn’t mean you have to be smiling.

How to Handle Toxic Family This Summer

Summer is “family season,” and that can mean a nonstop marathon of weddings, BBQs, reunions, graduations… and unresolved trauma resurfacing

Yours could come in the form of backhanded compliments like

“You look so much better than the last time I saw you—what happened?”

“I’m so glad you’re finally taking care of yourself.”

“You seem… different. Are you on medication or something?”

Or interrogations disguised as caring:

“So what’s your plan now?”

“Are you dating anyone? You know your cousin Sarah just got engaged…”

“I saw your post about therapy. Are you still doing that?”

 In that case, here are 6 practical tips on how to survive your toxic family during summer (without committing any felonies 😭). 

• Decide ahead of time what topics are off-limits
• Practice phrases like “I’m not discussing that today” or “That’s not up for debate.”
• Have your exit strategy ready—your own car, your own accommodation, a friend on standby
• Decompress with someone who truly knows you
• Journal about what came up and what you learned
• Celebrate yourself for showing up and maintaining your boundaries

How To Avoid Starting Unhealthy Relationships in Summer

Summer is dating season—and nothing messes with your emotional immune system like sunlight + mild lust + false hope

If you are constantly confusing anxiety for chemistry, your therapist will work with you to understand why you’re drawn to unavailable people.

They’ll teach you how to recognize red flags early, set boundaries that stick, and, most importantly, how to sit with the discomfort of being alone rather than settling for someone wrong for you.

On your own, here are things you can do to avoid starting unhealthy relationships:

• Before any date, ask yourself, “Am I genuinely interested in this person, or am I trying to fill a void?”
• Pay attention to your body’s responses—anxiety often shows up as excitement when someone might not be right for you
• Keep a dating journal to track patterns you might not see in the moment

The woman who learns to set boundaries in July doesn’t get steamrolled by family expectations in December.

The woman who does her relationship work in the summer doesn’t waste another year on someone who’s not actually available or on Barbara the builder. 

The biggest mistake we can ever make is to wait for the perfect crisis and the exact right moment when we’re struggling enough to “deserve” help.

 If you’ve paused therapy—or never started—and you’re feeling anxious about Fall or using wine, weed, or situationships to regulate your mood… Let’s not wait for the crash.

Mental health, like physical health, benefits from preventive care.

At Ashay Therapy Services, our therapists are caring and professional and can support you in a transition or in personal growth and self-improvement. 

With the arrival of summer, now is the perfect time to take advantage of the benefits this season has to offer for your therapy journey. 

Ashay Therapy Services offers Calgary counseling and online therapy to meet your needs. Our team of experienced therapists and counselors is here to support you every step of the way.

Your first 20-minute consultation is on the house! 

Other Therapy Services Offered at Ashay Therapy In Calgary

We offer a variety of therapy services to meet your specific needs. 

Our therapy services include anxiety treatment, depression treatment, trauma therapy, family therapy, and more. 

Cheers to your progress on your mental health journey.

Enjoy your summer, and don’t forget to take care of your mental health!