While an argument can be made for starting therapy at any time of the year, late summer - August and September - really can be a terrific time to start therapy. The end of summer heads off lots of natural transitions: the change of seasons, the slow shortening of days, the start of school, the slide toward the end of the year, and the start of a new one.

Transitions and Anxiety

With all of these transitions, including any other personal or community changes happening around you, it is really common to experience some anxiety or apprehension about the change. Some people experience “autumn anxiety.” As a therapist who helps many people cope with anxiety, this is a big one that comes up during this time of year. Transitions can lead to feelings of overwhelm, uncertainty, doubt, panic, and worry about what is coming down the pike. Whether you’re going through additional transitions in a relationship or in your career, getting yourself into therapy can help you get support to really think through the transitions you’re going through and sort through the layers of feelings that come along with them. 

Here are just a few more common experiences people have during this time of transition:

1. So Many Mixed Feelings!

   As August moves by in its hazy, hot way, it can bring feelings of longing, loss, ambition, excitement, or dread. I find myself getting these “cravings” for cooler weather but I feel conflicted because I love summer so much. Every day I become more and more aware of the sunset creeping earlier in the evening. There is space for all of these different feelings to coexist. Every single one of the emotions that are swirling around within you, pleasant or uncomfortable, is valid and okay.

2. Back to Reality and Time to Refocus

   August and September can also feel like “back to reality” time. As summer vacations end, school starts, and new projects get assigned at work, August and September can be a time to refocus. What do you want out of your life? How would you like to feel and act in this world? Therapy can help you set goals for yourself, and set out a plan to actually achieve and maintain these goals as you start achieving your best life! Whatever your goals are for yourself, you can get an idea of how to break them down and get them done. Your therapist can help you identify any blocks or obstacles and come up with solutions of how to work through them.

3. The Holidays - and Holiday Stress

   Summer does eventually give way to Autumn, as it always does, and with the onset of fall comes the start of the holiday season. For many people, the holidays can bring an abundance of stress - both the good kind and the not-so-fun kind. How do your holidays normally go? If you struggle with perfectionism, anxiety, or people-pleasing, it might be a mix of overthinking, loose boundaries (boundaries? what boundaries?), lots of pressure on yourself, and volatile communication with your family.

Therapy can help you prepare for potential upcoming stressful events such as enduring family and sorting through unpleasant family patterns, high expectations that can come with having the “perfect” holiday, spikes in feelings of grief and loss as you celebrate the holiday without a loved one. It is a great idea to start on building up your tool kit of coping skills now rather than when you’re in the midst of it - super overwhelmed, at your wit’s end, and ready to just cancel the holidays altogether. By starting therapy now, you’ll be ready to head into the stressful holiday season with confidence and lots of support from your therapist.

There’s no wrong time to start therapy. Don’t let the month hold you back if you’re ready to start doing the work. Therapy can help you get closer to living the life you want to live! How could your life be improved from starting therapy?

I hope this blog helped you think through how starting therapy now could help you heal and grow. If you’re still feeling stuck, give me a call at 860-384-7626 and I’d be happy to learn more about what’s going on and help you get connected to the right person. If you’d like to work with me, set up a free 15-minute video consultation by contacting me here or call me at 860-384-7626. Let’s chat!

Brittany Hankard, LMFT is a therapist licensed in Connecticut and Virginia. Brittany offers online therapy and telehealth appointments to women throughout Northern Virginia and Connecticut through her private practice, Vibrant Solutions LLC. Brittany loves to help smart, driven, people-pleasing women move from self-doubt and perfectionism to confidence and clarity about their lives. If you are interested in working with her, click here to set up a free 15-minute consultation or call 860-384-7626.