December is often the most dysregulated month of the year—for our clients and for us.
From managing the anxiety of cancellations and income dips to navigating family boundaries that get pushed to the limit, today we are covering how to protect your energy this month. Plus, I have a confession: I’m seeing a therapy client again.
In this episode, we are having a real talk about how to handle the holidays—not just as a therapist holding space for others, but as a human being with your own family dynamics, exhaustion, and need for rest.
In this episode, we cover:
- The Soft Pivot Circle: I am officially launching a small, intimate group (6-8 people) for therapists who need to make a career change but feel stuck. We will focus on nervous system care and making decisions without urgency.
- Private Practice Isolation: A listener asks where to find support when you leave the built-in community of an agency. I share my experience and why you need to "know your container."
- The Holiday "Break" Reality: Why family gatherings often require more output than work, and how to manage the guilt of taking time for yourself to regulate.
- Grief Corner: Acknowledging the heavy grief therapists carry, especially regarding client loss and suicide, during the holiday season.
- December Financials: Practical tips for handling the stress of client cancellations and protecting your income during the seasonal dip.
Key Quotes:
"I think making decisions in the way that your nervous system can handle is the way to go, and changing your career in incremental shifts is the way to do it."
"You don't need to earn rest. You can just rest if you need it."
Resources Mentioned:
- The Soft Pivot Circle: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/kt57aq4o19
- Structured Rest Series: Check out our summer episodes for a deep dive into my framework for recalibrating a burned-out nervous system.
- https://drjenblanchette.com/podcast/74-burned-out-dysregulated-and-still-showing-up-how-to-find-safety/
- Join the Pen Pal List: https://balanced-thunder-281.myflodesk.com/drjenb
Connect with Me: If you have a question or want to share how you are navigating this season, reply to my newsletter—seriously, it’s really me responding!
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