Mental health professionals spend their days looking after the needs and emotions of others. As a therapist, you sit with clients' pain regularly. You help them cope with their stress, strengthen their relationships, and improve their well-being. The work, as you know, can be as taxing as it is rewarding.
But how do you recharge at the end of the day? How do you practice your own self-care to ensure your needs are also met?
Taking a vacation in private practice may feel like a luxury- especially if you're worried about playing catch-up, abandoning clients, or even financially absorbing the risk of being absent from your work.
How to Ethically Take Vacations in Private Practice
All therapists know that prioritizing self-care and personal wellness is important for prioritizing their mental health and mitigating the risk of professional burnout. But taking time off for yourself may be easier said than done.
Here are some strategies to keep in mind to ensure things go smoothly:
Plan Early in Advance
The earlier you can plan for your vacation, the better. Aim to start planning your vacation days well in advance and block them out on your calendar. Inform your clients you will be out of office at least two weeks (if not longer) before you head out. Consider that some clients may want extra sessions just before or after you return. Document any specific client reactions about your vacation plans.
Make a Plan With Clients
Clients need to know where to turn if a crisis occurs. Identify a trusted colleague who can handle any emergencies that may happen in your absence. If possible, offer resources, including immediate coping strategies and numbers to crisis hotlines, for clients to access while you're away. In session, make space for your clients to share their feelings about your absence- some will openly talk about their concerns, whereas others may be more covert. Regardless of how they present, you want to do your part to ensure clients feel cared for and supported.
Decide What You Want to Disclose
Self-disclosure is both a subjective and controversial part of therapy. Some therapists share very little information about themselves. Other providers are far more candid and transparent. Neither approach is inherently better than the other.
However, you should consider how you want to answer questions about your absence. For example, clients may ask where you're going, who you're going with, and what you plan to do while you're away. Think about what you want to share and identify any potential risks associated with such disclosures.
Consult with a Colleague for Coverage
Some clients may need ongoing care during your absence. If you share relevant clinical information with a colleague, make sure those details comply with state confidentiality laws and ethics. Obtain a release of information from your client and document the conversation you have about continuity of treatment.
Maintain Your Professional Boundaries
Running a business can be as exciting as it is stressful. Some therapists feel responsible for their clients 24/7. They feel they must respond to every message or need right away.
This can create problems- both for you and your clients. You’re entitled to take time off, and it’s important to aim to resist the urge to check work emails or voicemails while you're away. Trust your contingency plans and allow yourself to enjoy the hard-earned break.
With that, set up automated responses indicating you're out of the office and update your voicemail greeting listing your vacation dates and emergency contact information.
Ease Yourself Back Into Work
If possible, plan to return home 1-2 days before seeing clients. This allows you time to settle in emotionally, check your emails, and review your schedule before diving back into therapy. It also accounts for any last-minute travel snags, including delayed flights or jet lag.
Double-Check Your Consent Forms
It's a good practice to review your consent forms every few months to ensure everything is up to date and adheres to your specific practice policies. This should include information surrounding vacations and taking time off work.
How Much Vacation Time Can You Take?
This is entirely subjective and depends on how you ultimately structure your therapy practice. There are no universal vacation standards for healthcare professionals.
If you're just starting, you may be more concerned about building a caseload than taking time off. But once your business feels more established, it may be reasonable to take a vacation or extended weekend a few times each year. Most therapists find they work better when they have some time away from clients to recharge.
It may be helpful to plan to account for these non-paid vacation days. For example, instead of calculating your annual salary based on 52 weeks per year, you might want to calculate this number based on 48 or 50 weeks per year (don't forget to set some time aside for occasional sick days). Longer absences are also possible, but vacations over two weeks typically require more planning.
How Do You Financially Prepare for Vacations in Private Practice?
In private practice, you don't accrue any paid time off, and you're responsible for managing your own business and personal budgeting. This needs to be considered while you prioritize taking time off.
Here are some financial recommendations to ensure you can enjoy your breaks:
Calculate your income loss: It may be helpful to establish exactly how much income you will lose by taking a vacation. To do this, multiply the number of days by the average number of clients you typically see per day with your standard session fee. This offers a clear overview of the financial impact.
Start a vacation fund: Consider opening a distinct savings account designated for your vacation fund. Deposit a set amount from your practice earnings each month into this account. This turns 'vacation' from a nice luxury into a routine item within your typical budget.
Travel to a conference: The IRS demonstrates that some parts of a vacation may be tax-deductible if you can demonstrate they relate to your business. For example, admission and transportation to a professional conference are business expenses. You have to pay for the remaining parts of your trip, but this can be an incentivizing strategy for accruing those much-needed CEUs. Consult with an accountant for more guidance on business deductions.
Consider diversifying your income streams: Many therapists opt to diversify their revenue through other income sources, including teaching, writing, supervising, coaching, consulting, and more. This isn't to say you need to have a side hustle. But you may find that having an extra financial buffer helps when considering time off.
Decide if you want to work for some of your vacation: Although this may not be the most popular choice, some therapists choose to work part of their vacation. This can be an attractive option if you provide telehealth, as it maintains some continuity of clinical care and also earns you some income while you're away. Double-check your licensing board laws for specific guidance on which clinical duties you can still perform while out of your own state.
Prioritizing Mental Health Wellness at Navix Health
At Navix Health, we see how hard you and your colleagues work. We see how much you care about your clients and their well-being, and we deeply care about prioritizing work-life balance.
That's why we developed an affordable, intuitive EHR intended to streamline your practice and ensure all documentation is secure, compliant, and adhering to all industry standards. We have several, flexible plans available based on your practice’s needs.
Contact us today to schedule a custom demo and start your free trial.
