5 Reasons Why Summer Is a Great Time to Start Therapy

The other day, a client of mine shared that summer feels like “a weird in-between space—like a pause button that makes my anxiety louder.” It reminded me how often this season, while full of sunshine and freedom, can also feel overwhelming for young people struggling with anxiety.

For some kids and teens, the break from school can offer an instant relief from the academic burdens and pressures of the school year. For others, the lack of routine can result in significantly more unstructured time, in which anxious thoughts and worries may creep in to fill the silence. In the absence of summer camps or an active social calendar, kids and teens may also have less time with peers during the summer break, resulting in feelings of loneliness and isolation.

At La Jolla Therapy Center, we specialize in working with kids and teens navigating anxiety—and one thing we’ve noticed time and again is that summer can actually be one of the best times to begin therapy. Here's why:

1. Summer offers a natural break from school—and that means more flexibility.

With school out, there’s often less scheduling stress, fewer academic demands, and more space in the day. That flexibility makes it easier for families to start therapy without having to juggle homework, sports, and after-school activities. Whether it's a weekly session or a more intensive support plan, summer gives room to breathe—and to grow.

2. Lack of structure can actually heighten anxiety.

It’s not uncommon for kids and teens to feel more anxious in the summer, not less. Without the rhythm of the school day, some feel untethered—more time alone, more FOMO from social media, and fewer clear goals. Starting therapy now can help kids build healthy coping strategies and reintroduce structure, even in a less structured season.

3. Accessing care can be easier in the summer.

Therapists often have more openings in the summer months, and waitlists can be shorter. That means you might be able to get started more quickly and set up a routine that can carry into the fall. And if you’re looking for coordination with schools or other providers, summer can be a great time to gather resources and create a solid support plan before the school year begins.

4. It sets kids up for a smoother school transition.

When anxiety has been brewing all summer, the start of school can hit like a ton of bricks. But when therapy starts during the summer, kids and teens have a head start: they’ve already begun building emotional regulation tools, confidence, and problem-solving skills. That makes it easier to step into a new grade (or even a new school) with more calm and clarity.

5. It can be a truly meaningful way to spend the summer.

While summer is a time for fun and freedom, it can also be a time for real personal growth. Therapy offers a chance to reflect, heal, and build resilience in a supportive, one-on-one setting. We often hear from teens that therapy helped them feel seen and understood—and gave them skills that made the school year ahead so much more manageable.

If your child or teen has been struggling, summer might be the perfect time to begin their therapy journey. At La Jolla Therapy Center, we’re here to help them feel more grounded, confident, and equipped to navigate whatever comes next.

Curious about starting therapy this summer? Reach out to us—we’d love to connect. Our San Diego, California based counseling practice specializes in helping teens and adults who struggle with anxiety. Through counseling, we help kids and young adults overcome the negative thought cycles, the constant comparison game, and worst-case scenarios that accompany the anxious brain. Additionally, we offer other mental health services, primarily for perfectionists, overachievers or others who don’t feel like they 100% fit in. More specifically we offer treatment for anxiety/OCD, and depression at La Jolla Therapy Center. If you don’t live around San Diego or the commute makes in-person therapy impossible, all of our services are available via online therapy to anyone physically located in California. Therefore, we work with clients from Sacramento to Palo Alto or even Mountain View. You and your family deserve to finally feel less overwhelmed, so let’s get started!