8 Reasons Summer is a Great Time to Start Therapy

My favorite memories of summer as a child was playing outside until the sun went down. I was usually having so much fun I didn’t want the day to end. I think many of us have fond memories of playing or being outside. I still love summer as an adult.

Summer

Here are a few of the reasons I love summer:

✅ Backyard parties

✅ Cookouts

✅ Swimming pools

✅ Family vacations

✅ The morning sun

✅ Outside walks

While it’s not probably the first thing that comes to mind, I think summer is a great time to get started on therapy. Which I know, since I’m a therapist, I think any time is a good time to get started on therapy, but summer might be the perfect season to start your therapeutic journey.

8 reasons why summer is a great time to get started in therapy

Here are 8 reasons why I think it’s a great time to start therapy:

1. Flexible Schedules

Many people have a more flexible schedule than they do in the school year. Many workplaces offer summer hours or more flexible scheduling during summer months, making it easier to find convenient therapy appointment times.

2. More Childcare Options During the Summer

One obstacle people face is having childcare while they attend their therapy appointments. Some babysitters, especially college aged or high school students are available to help with childcare needs. Speaking of children, we think letting them be a little bored in the summer is actually good for them. You can find out more about why we think children, especially in the summer need more unstructured playtime found here. You can find Part 2 of that blog found here.

3. Academic Stress

For students or parents of students, summer’s break from school deadlines and academic pressures provides mental space to focus on personal growth.

4. More Time for Self-Reflection

The slower rhythms of summer and longer daylight hours often provide more moments of pause and contemplation, even on vacations.

5. More Energy for Change

Many people naturally feel more physically energized during summer, which can mean a greater emotional capacity for the work therapy requires.

6. Space Between Sessions

Since summer typically has a slower pace, with vacations included in this rhythm, people have a little more space and time to process and practice what they’re learning in therapy and apply those skills with less pressure which is inherent to the busyness of the school year.

7. Appointment Availability During the Summer

One difficulty therapists have is trying to accommodate people wanting evening appointments. If you’ve ever tried to get an afterschool or work appointment with a therapist you know those appointments are in very high demand. The summer months offer unique opportunities for getting daytime appointments and therapists have more availability.

8. Preparation for Fall

October is usually a difficult time for many people in the Midwest. The days start to get shorter and colder and the anxiety of the Holiday season begins to set in. I love working with people to be proactive for the fall/winter months rather than reactive, or waiting until their winter blues start.

Embracing Summer as Your Therapy Starting Point

As I look back at those childhood summers—playing outside until dusk, treasuring every extended moment of daylight—I’m reminded it has always been a season of growth, even when we didn’t recognize it as such. Those long days weren’t just about fun; they were opportunities for exploration, learning, and developing resilience through new experiences.

Starting therapy during summer offers this same spirit of growth and discovery, but with intentional guidance. The season naturally encourages us to expand, whether through outdoor adventures or internal journeys. By beginning therapy now, you’re aligning with summer’s inherent energy of transformation.

Think of summer therapy as planting seeds in the most fertile season. The skills, insights, and healing you begin now will have time to take root before the more challenging seasons arrive. By the time fall’s shorter days and holiday stressors emerge, you’ll already have established valuable coping mechanisms and a trusted therapeutic relationship to navigate them.

Self-care isn’t seasonal—it’s an ongoing commitment to your wellbeing. But summer provides a uniquely supportive backdrop for taking that first step. The same way those childhood summers built confidence through exploration, therapy builds resilience through self-discovery.

Peace Family Counseling

I invite you to embrace this season of possibility. Whether you’re managing existing challenges or simply investing in your mental wellness, summer offers the perfect landscape for beginning this important journey.

Peace Family Counseling is located in Greenwood, Indiana, and available virtually in the state of Indiana. If you’re ready to start therapy this summer, we’d love to hear from you so we can join you on your journey to healing. To connect with us click here and one of our therapists will be in touch to see if one of our therapists will be the right fit for you.