By Sierra Sands, M.S. LLP
As the school year comes to a close, many families begin filling their summer schedules. During this planning time, parents may find themselves reflecting on their child’s emotional and behavioral well-being over the past school year. Perhaps you've noticed signs of anxiety, depression, attention issues, or difficulty managing emotions in your child.
Summer provides the perfect opportunity to begin your child’s therapy journey—offering the time and space to support their emotional health and set them up for success in the upcoming school year.
1. A Break from Academic Pressures
The school year is packed with academic demands, extracurricular activities, social commitments, and early mornings. This often leaves little room for mental health support.
Summer offers a slower, more flexible schedule—creating the perfect environment for your child to attend therapy sessions without the stress of school obligations. This freedom allows them to engage more meaningfully in child therapy during summer and begin building emotional resilience.
2. Consistency Builds Progress
Consistent therapy is essential for long-term growth. It is what makes therapy effective. During the school year, unexpected schedule changes and school-related responsibilities can cause frequent cancellations or gaps in care.
With fewer scheduling conflicts, summer allows for regular weekly or bi-weekly appointments—providing the stability and continuity that makes therapy most effective.
3. Skill Building for the New School Year
If your child has struggled with social skills, emotional regulation, or self-confidence, summer is an excellent time to begin developing new coping strategies.
Through evidence-based therapies like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), mindfulness, or even equine-assisted therapy, your child can strengthen their emotional toolkit. By the time school resumes, they’ll return a more confident version of themselves and be prepared to face challenges with healthier responses.
4. Greater Family Involvement
Parent and caregiver involvement in therapy is a key to success. During the summer, many adults also experience lighter or more flexible work schedules, making it easier for families to attend sessions, participate in parent management training, and reinforce skills at home that they learned in their therapy sessions.
This collaborative approach enhances outcomes and supports family-centered therapy, giving your child the consistent support they need both in and outside of sessions.
5. Prevention, Not Reaction
Many folks seek therapy when problems escalate, but starting therapy in the summer offers a proactive approach.
By addressing concerns early—before the stress of a new school year—you help prevent emotional or behavioral challenges from interfering with academics, friendships, or overall well-being. Early intervention is key to helping children thrive emotionally and socially.
6. A Season of Growth and Emotional Development
Summer symbolizes growth, freedom, and exploration—making it the perfect time to lean into cultivating your child’s emotional development.
From learning how to cope with anxiety or frustration to gaining tools for resilience and self-expression, therapy during the summer can empower your child with confidence and readiness for whatever the next school year brings.
Start Your Child's Therapy Journey This Summer
Initiating child therapy during the summer is a wonderful way to set your child up for success for the next school year as well as later in life. The more relaxed structure of summer allows for uninterrupted progress, greater family involvement, and the chance to build lasting skills before the next school year begins.
At McCaskill Family Services, we specialize in helping children and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion, expertise, and personalized care. If you’re ready to take that first step, we’re here to support you in helping your child grow, heal, and thrive—this summer and beyond.
