Should I start Therapy Now?
Why the End of Summer is the Best Time to Start Therapy
By: Gina Romero, LICSW, LCSW
Takeaway: Whether you’re navigating family stress, shifting routines, or just want a space to focus on yourself, now is a great time to begin. Starting therapy at the end of summer can help you head into fall feeling more supported, grounded, and prepared for the changes ahead. At Wandering Pine Wellness, we’ll help you find a therapist who’s the right fit and make the process as simple as possible.
Life doesn’t really slow down, even in the summer. Between vacations, shifting routines, and trying to soak up every last bit of sunshine, it’s easy to push your own needs to the side. But if you’ve been thinking about starting therapy, this might actually be the perfect time to take that first step.
At Wandering Pine Wellness, we believe mental health care is just as important as physical health. Therapy gives you a space to reflect, reset, and build the tools you need to feel more steady and supported, especially as a new season approaches.
If you’re wondering whether now is the right time to reach out, here are eight reasons why the end of summer is one of the best times to start therapy.
1. The changing season can shift your mood more than you expect
As the days get shorter and the skies turn more gray, it’s common to feel more tired, irritable, less motivated, or just “off.” Even if it’s not full-on seasonal depression, you might notice you’re not quite yourself. Starting therapy now can help you move through those changes with more ease.
2. Back-to-school season is a fresh start, even if you're not a student or parent
There’s something about the end of August that makes people reset. You start thinking about routines, responsibilities, and how you want the rest of the year to go. Maybe you’ve noticed some habits you want to change. The good news: you don’t have to wait until the new year to make meaningful changes.
3. Therapists still have openings (for now)
Fall is one of the busiest times of year for therapy. At Wandering Pine Wellness, we see the biggest influx of new client inquiries in September each year. People come back from summer breaks and try to get back on track. If you start now, you're more likely to get a spot that actually works for your schedule. If you’ve gone to therapy in the past, you know that there’s nothing worse than finding a therapist who seems like they’re the perfect fit for you, and then learning that they won’t have an opening [that works for your schedule] for 6 months.
4. The holidays haven’t started messing with your schedule yet
Therapy works best when it’s consistent. If you wait until mid-November to start, it’s easy to get thrown off by travel, school breaks, and holiday chaos. Your therapist is also likely to take a break during that time, and it can be difficult to make therapy part of your routine while navigating vacations. Getting into a rhythm now means fewer interruptions and more time to build momentum. It’s also important to note that you probably can’t see your therapist while you’re traveling for the holidays (due to licensing board restrictions), so time off is unfortunately inevitable.
5. You’ll walk into holiday gatherings more prepared
The holidays can stir up a lot of shit, even if everything looks fine on the surface. If you tend to feel anxious leading up to family events or dread being in large social settings, therapy can help you figure out what’s going on underneath, and give you tools to manage those feelings.
For some people, it’s about navigating social anxiety or the pressure to perform a certain role around extended family. For others, it’s about staying sober at events where drinking is the norm, or figuring out how to set boundaries with relatives who don’t respect your choices. Maybe you leave every family visit feeling drained, angry, or like you’ve time-traveled back into an old version of yourself.
Whatever comes up for you during the holidays, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Starting therapy now gives you time to prepare, practice, and go into the season with more clarity and confidence.
6. You’ll already have support in place before insurance plans change in January
The start of the year often comes with new insurance, higher deductibles, or new provider networks. A lot of people wait until January to find a therapist, which means appointment times fill up fast. By starting now, you’ll avoid the scramble and be one step ahead.
7. Summer probably brough up more than you realize
Vacations, family reunions, road trips, anxiety about your appearance, and time out of your usual routine tend to stir things up. If anything uncomfortable came to the surface, therapy will help you unpack it and figure out what to do with those feelings.
8. You’ll be ready when your kids or partner need extra support
If you live with other people, especially kids, you know the emotional tone at home often starts with you. When school starts and schedules change, having your own support in place makes it easier to stay grounded when the people around you need more from you. If your family is great but your partner’s family isn’t you’ll also be able to support your partner better when their family starts to cause trouble.
9. You don’t have to wait for things to fall apart
There’s no award for holding it all together until you’re in crisis. At Wandering Pine Wellness, we view therapy as preventative, meaning you don’t have to wait for a major breakdown to start getting support. Therapy can help you recognize patterns, build better coping strategies, and feel more in control of your life before things hit a boiling point.
About the author, Gina Romero
Gina is a licensed therapist offering online and in-person therapy in Las Vegas, NV and online therapy Nevada, Colorado, and Washington. She knows how hard it can be to prioritize mental health when life is moving full-speed ahead. That’s why she’s passionate about helping people find support before things get overwhelming. She helps clients feel grounded through transitions, routine shifts, and life’s seasonal curveballs. Whether you’re thinking of starting therapy now or just want a space to reset before fall, Gina and the team at Wandering Pine Wellness are here to help!
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Does Insurance Cover Therapy?
In many cases, yes, insurance can help cover the cost of therapy. Coverage can vary a lot depending on your plan. Here’s a list of the plans that our therapists accept:
