Supporting Clients Struggling with Holiday Stress
By Chris Campassi
The holiday season, often seen as a time of joy and togetherness, can also be a source of significant stress for many individuals. For therapists, this time of year brings unique challenges as your clients grapple with the emotional weight of the season. From the pressures of familial obligations to the resurfacing of past traumas, holiday stress can manifest in numerous ways. This blog explores common holiday stressors, providing actionable strategies for therapists like you to support your clients during this time.
Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
As you know, the holidays can exacerbate burnout and compassion fatigue, especially for those in caregiving roles or high-stress professions. Clients may feel overwhelmed by the demands of work, family, and societal expectations, leaving little room for self-care.
Strategies:
- Normalize Rest: Emphasize the importance of setting boundaries and scheduling downtime. Help your clients understand that self-care is not selfish but essential.
- Mindfulness Practices: Teach your clients mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or body scans to ground themselves during stressful moments.
- Encourage Reflection: Facilitate discussions about their accomplishments and areas of growth over the year, which can foster a sense of pride and perspective.
Recognize Limitations: Work with your clients to identify and accept their limits, even encouraging them to delegate or say no to excessive demands.
Dealing with Family and Differing Political Beliefs
Family gatherings often bring together diverse perspectives, which can lead to tension, especially around hot-button political or cultural topics. For some clients, navigating these interactions can feel like walking a tightrope.
Strategies:
- Role-Playing Exercises: Practice potential conversations with your clients, helping them feel prepared to respond assertively and calmly to challenging interactions.
- Set Conversation Boundaries: Encourage your clients to establish boundaries in advance, such as avoiding specific topics or steering discussions in a neutral direction.
- Develop Exit Plans: Collaborate on strategies for stepping away when tensions rise. This can look like taking a walk, visiting a quiet room, or leaving the gathering early if necessary.
- Self-Soothing Techniques: Equip your clients with techniques like visualization or grounding exercises to maintain their composure during difficult moments.
Loss of Routine
The holidays often disrupt daily routines, leading to a loss of structure that can amplify feelings of anxiety or disorientation. For clients who rely on routines for stability, this change can be particularly unsettling.
Strategies:
- Create Temporary Routines: Help your clients establish a modified holiday routine that incorporates elements of their regular schedule. This could be maintaining consistent sleep and meal times during travel or vacations.
- Prioritize Non-Negotiables: Encourage your clients to identify and stick to the habits that most contribute to their well-being, such as exercise or journaling.
- Flexible Goal-Setting: Work together to set realistic goals for the holiday period. You can acknowledge that it’s okay for routines to look different during this time.
Mindset Shifts: Reframe the disruption as an opportunity for flexibility and new experiences, which will foster a positive outlook.
Anniversaries of Trauma and Deaths
For many, the holidays serve as painful reminders of past traumas or the loss of loved ones. Anniversaries of significant events can intensify grief and emotional distress during what is marketed as a “joyful” season.
Strategies:
- Acknowledge the Pain: Validate clients’ feelings and remind them that it’s normal to experience a mix of emotions during the holidays.
- Rituals of Remembrance: Help clients create meaningful ways to honor their loved ones or process their trauma. Ideas for this are lighting a candle, writing a letter, or engaging in a symbolic activity.
- Support Systems: Encourage your clients to lean on trusted friends, family, or support groups to share their feelings and experiences.
- Prepare for Triggers: Work with your clients to anticipate and plan for situations that may evoke painful memories, ensuring they have coping strategies in place.
As therapists, the holiday season presents a critical opportunity to help clients navigate its unique challenges. By addressing burnout, family conflicts, disrupted routines, and the resurfacing of grief or trauma, you can empower your clients to approach the season with greater resilience and self-compassion.
Through tailored strategies and empathetic guidance, you can foster a sense of hope and stability in your clients, ensuring they feel supported during this emotionally charged time.
Let’s help make the holidays a time for healing and growth, one client at a time.
How we can help
Connect with Firelight Supervision today to start your journey of growth, empowerment, and fulfillment. Enhance your professional development for both yourself and your clients. Additionally, you can schedule a free phone consultation to explore your options and learn more about our services!
Author Bio
Chris Campassi is an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and Program Coordinator of Firelight Supervision. He is a licensed psychotherapist in Colorado and North Carolina, blogger, and clinical supervisor for provisionally-licensed and independently licensed therapists. Chris enjoys helping men, medical professionals, and former athletes manage their anxiety and stress so they can live fulfilled and balanced lives. Follow Firelight Supervision on Instagram and Facebook.
