Why a Pre-Holiday Therapy Session Is the Best Gift You Can Give Yourself
The holidays are often described as “the most wonderful time of the year”—a season of joy, togetherness, and celebration. But if we’re honest, they can also bring a lot of emotional weight. Between family expectations, packed schedules, and the pressure to make everything “perfect,” it’s easy to feel more stressed than serene.
What many people don’t realize is that a pre-holiday therapy session can be one of the best gifts you give yourself. Think of it as an emotional reset before the holidays—a chance to slow down, breathe, and strengthen your inner calm before life gets hectic.
Why the Holidays Can Be Emotionally Challenging
For many Asian Americans, the holiday season brings up more than just travel plans and gift lists—it can stir deep emotional patterns.
Maybe you’re navigating family expectations that feel impossible to meet, balancing cultural traditions with modern boundaries, or carrying the weight of grief or unspoken tension that resurfaces this time of year.
Maybe you find yourself slipping into perfectionism—trying to be the ideal host, child, parent, or partner—or caught in people-pleasing habits that leave you emotionally drained.
Being “home for the holidays” can be complicated, especially if you’ve spent the rest of the year working hard to grow, set boundaries, or heal.
How a Therapy Session Can Help You Prepare
A holiday therapy session is like a deep breath before the storm. In just one focused meeting, you can cover what might take weeks to unpack on your own.
Together with your therapist, you can:
Identify emotional triggers that tend to show up during family gatherings or stressful situations
Strengthen your coping tools and mindfulness practices
Ground yourself in your values and boundaries, so you can respond rather than react
Reconnect with the parts of yourself that need compassion and care
This intentional space can help you feel more emotionally regulated, giving you the clarity and resilience to handle whatever the holidays bring—with grace and calm.
The Emotional Benefits of a Pre-Holiday Reset
When you take time for a pre-holiday therapy session before the holidays, you give yourself something priceless: presence.
You might notice:
More clarity in how you want to spend your time and energy
A sense of calm that carries through the chaos
Renewed energy for the people and activities that truly matter
Rather than entering the season running on empty, you walk in centered, grounded, and connected to yourself.
Making Yourself a Priority
It’s easy to put yourself last when everyone else’s needs feel urgent. But therapy isn’t selfish—it’s a way to ensure you have the emotional capacity to show up for others without losing yourself in the process.
Choosing a pre-holiday therapy session is an act of self-respect and self-care. It says, “I deserve to feel peaceful and present.”
Is There a Therapist Who Accepts My Cigna, Aetna, or Optum Insurance?
Yes! If you’re wondering whether you can use your Cigna, Aetna, or Optum insurance for therapy, you’re not alone—many clients ask this before starting care. We have a team of in-network providers who accept these insurance networks, making therapy more accessible and affordable for you.
Before booking your holiday therapy session, you can verify your benefits by reaching out through our contact form. Our team can confirm coverage details, copay amounts, and help you understand your options. If you’re out-of-network, we can also provide superbills for partial reimbursement through your insurance plan.
Investing in your emotional health doesn’t have to feel financially overwhelming—there are options to make it work for you.
Give Yourself the Gift of Calm
Before the holiday rush takes over, take time to center yourself. Schedule a pre-holiday therapy session and give yourself the clarity, calm, and connection you deserve.
🕊️ Ready to feel grounded before the holidays?
Fill out our contact form to request a consultation today—your future self will thank you.
Written by Yuki Shida, LMFT, Practice Owner and CEO.
Yuki is an Asian American therapist based in Irvine, California, specializing in trauma, anxiety, and intergenerational healing. She helps Asian American professionals and parents find balance, resilience, and self-compassion through EMDR and culturally sensitive therapy. Her mission is to create a space where clients can reconnect with themselves and build a life rooted in calm and clarity.