If starting therapy has been on your list for a while, the holidays can seem like the worst possible time to begin. Calendars fill up, money gets tight, and one more appointment sounds like too much. Plenty of people plan to start in January, and at Purple Sky Counseling we often suggest something different. For many people, the weeks before the holidays are one of the most useful times to begin therapy in Utah. A few sessions now can change how the whole season goes.
Why the Holidays Feel Heavier Than They Look
The holidays bring good things, and they also bring pressure. In a national poll from the American Psychiatric Association released in November 2025, 41% of adults said they expected more holiday stress than the year before, up from 28% in 2024. Adults ages 18 to 34 were the most likely to say so, at 49%.
The worries people named are familiar ones:
Missing a loved one or grieving (48%)
Affording or finding gifts (46%)
Difficult family dynamics (32%)
Loneliness (31%)
How people cope matters too. In a 2024 survey from the American Psychological Association, most adults who felt holiday stress did something to manage it. In the same survey, 14% of adults said they saw a therapist or counselor, while 22% isolated themselves and 18% turned to alcohol or other substances.
Starting in November gives you a plan for the moments you already know will be hard.
What Waiting Until January Can Cost
Putting off care is common, and the delays tend to run long. A large national study found that people who eventually sought treatment often waited years after their symptoms started, roughly 6 to 8 years for mood disorders and 9 to 23 years for anxiety disorders. "After the holidays" can quietly turn into "after the next busy season," and then the one after that.
Openings matter as well. In the American Psychological Association's 2025 practitioner survey, 46% of psychologists said they had no openings for new patients. Reaching out earlier gives you more choice about who you see, when, and where.
What You Can Work On Before the Holidays
You do not need a crisis to start, and you do not need to know exactly what to talk about. These are some of the most common things people bring to sessions in November and December:
Hard moments you can see coming. Cope ahead is a DBT skill where you picture a stressful situation, choose how you want to respond, and rehearse it ahead of time. A therapist can help you build that plan for a specific dinner, phone call, or drive home.
Family stress and old roles. Holidays have a way of pulling everyone back into the roles they had at 15. Family therapy and individual sessions help you respond as the adult you are now.
Boundaries you can hold. Saying no to an event, a topic, or an extra night takes practice. Our post on setting healthy holiday boundaries is a good starting point, and therapy helps you follow through when someone pushes back.
Grief and missing someone. A first holiday without a loved one, or the tenth, can bring grief back to the surface. Our guide to grief and finding support covers what that can look like.
A change in faith. For many Utah families, the holidays are tied to church. A faith transition can make December feel lonely, even in a full house.
Kids and changing routines. Winter break disrupts sleep, school, and structure. Child and teen therapy and our ADHD and autism support help kids and parents plan for it.
Relationship strain. Travel, money, and in-laws test even strong partnerships. Couples therapy gives you a place to work through it before it boils over.
Therapy can also help you trade coping habits that leave you feeling worse, such as isolating or drinking more, for ones that help, such as calling a friend, getting outside, keeping your sleep steady, and asking for help with the load.
How Much Can a Few Sessions Do?
More than most people expect. The American Psychological Association notes that some people begin to feel better within about 6 to 12 sessions, and in one classic study, half of clients had improved after 8 sessions. People with serious trauma or several problems at once often need longer, and that is normal.
You do not have to finish therapy before the holidays to get something useful from it. If you start in early November, there may be time for several sessions before Christmas. That is enough time to understand what tends to set you off, try a few new skills, and walk into the season with a plan.
In Person or Online, Wherever You Are in Utah
Purple Sky Counseling has offices in Murray, Murray South, Bountiful, Farmington, Heber City, South Ogden, Lehi, and St. George, and we offer online therapy anywhere in Utah. Online sessions are a good fit for busy weeks, travel, and snowy roads. If you are also wondering whether medication could help, our psychiatric providers offer medication management alongside therapy.
Getting Started at Purple Sky Counseling
Getting started is simple, and you do not need a phone consultation first. Reach out to our team through our contact form, share a little about what you are looking for, and our intake team will match you with a therapist who fits your needs. We accept insurance and private pay.
If you're in crisis or having thoughts of harming yourself, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to start therapy now or wait until after the holidays?
For many people, starting now is the better choice. Even a handful of sessions in November and December gives you time to plan for stressful moments, practice boundaries, and build coping skills. Waiting can also turn into a longer delay than you planned.
How many therapy sessions does it take to see results?
It varies by person and concern. Many people notice changes within the first few months of weekly sessions, and people working through serious trauma or several concerns at once often need longer.
What if I only have time for a few sessions before the holidays?
A few sessions can still help. You and your therapist can focus on one or two situations you are worried about and build a specific plan for each, then keep going after the holidays.
Can I do therapy online during the holidays?
Yes. Purple Sky Counseling offers online therapy for anyone located in Utah at the time of the session, which makes it easier to keep appointments during travel, school breaks, and winter weather.
When is the best time to start therapy?
The best time is usually when you first notice that stress, mood, or relationships are getting harder to manage. You do not need to wait for a crisis or a new year to begin.