Why Summer is the Perfect Time to Find a Therapist
May 30, 2025
Author | Hannah Hill
As the days grow longer and the sun shines a little brighter, something interesting tends to happen in my practice: it gets quieter. Therapists often refer to this as the “summer slump.” With vacations, school breaks, and a general lift in mood thanks to sunshine and more social time, people feel good. And when people feel good, they don’t always seek therapy. I totally get it. When life feels light and manageable, it might seem unnecessary to schedule that initial therapy consultation or start making your mental health a priority. But I’d like to offer an alternate perspective: Summer might actually be the best time to find a therapist.
Don’t Wait Until You’re in Crisis
Most people begin the search for a therapist when they’re already overwhelmed. Something has shifted: a breakup, a panic attack, burnout at work, or just the sense that you’re no longer coping with the ails of life. And suddenly, the task of scrolling through therapist profiles, sending emails, and waiting for openings can feel impossibly heavy. When we’re in a state of emotional distress, our ability to make decisions narrows. What should be a thoughtful process of finding someone who’s the right fit becomes a rushed, stressful experience. The result? People sometimes settle for therapists who aren’t aligned with their needs, or they abandon the process altogether. This only adds to more stress, anxiety and mental health issues. We begin to feel hopeless and like our situation is immovable.
Therapy Is More Than Crisis Management
One of the biggest misconceptions about therapy is that it's only for when something’s wrong. In reality, therapy can be a space for growth, self-reflection, and prevention. It can be where you get to know yourself better, build emotional resilience, and prepare for future challenges before they catch you off guard. When you seek therapy during a time of emotional stability which is often during months with better weather or sunshine, like summer, you have more bandwidth to reflect on what you want in a therapist. You can explore without pressure, find someone you feel connected with, and begin doing meaningful inner work from a stable place.
Summer is for Self-Care, Too
Yes, summer is about freedom, adventure, and ease. I often find myself more nostalgic and feeling foot loose and fancy-free during summer. But that doesn’t mean it’s not also a valuable time for inner work. In fact, if during summer you have more flexibility in your schedule and fewer daily stressors, you might find you’re more open, curious, and available to explore aspects of yourself that get buried during the busyness of the year. Imagine entering the fall season already equipped with tools, insight, and a solid relationship with your therapist. That’s the power of starting early and before life gets heavy again.
Tips for a Summer Therapist Search
If you’re considering starting therapy, try to take your time during your search. Don’t rush. Read bios, watch intro videos, and trust your gut about who feels like a good fit. Many therapists offer free 15-20 minute phone consultations to see if it’s a match. Take advantage of those free consultations. Given that a lot of therapists experience a slow-down in appointments and referrals during the summer months, you might find that you can get into a therapist who was previously not accepting clients. You might also get a quicker turnaround on your request. You’ll also want to consider what areas of growth are important to you and what you want to focus on in therapy. This will help you narrow your search and identify meaningful questions to ask during the consultation call. Another area to consider is logistics about scheduling and modality of therapy. Are you interested in virtual or in-person therapy? What scheduling restrictions might come up for you beyond the summer months? Ask your therapist how you can navigate around them if necessary. If therapy has been on your mind, don’t wait for the next storm to hit. Invest in your well-being now. If you’re located in Pennsylvania and looking for virtual sessions or in-person sessions in the Phoenixville, PA area, reach out to me. I’m happy to offer one of those free consultations I mentioned earlier to find out if we’d be a good fit!