[lightcatcher]

Hi all I hope this week is treating everyone kindly so far. With Christmas approaching fast I have become aware that T will be having time of. Now I knew this was coming however I am terrified at this. I know in my work we have 4 weeks off, and I know T will be having about twice that.

Basically I'm wondering how others have managed without T for a long period of time? And has this effected how you have returned to the work with T after the break?

[Victoria'smom]

I'm the one that randomly goes out of state for months at a time. I always make sure I have an appointment right before leaving. I take a journal and a drawing pad and 'keep my appointment' to use it for drawing or writing my feelings. It usually takes me a session or two to get back in the swing of things.

[tinyrabbit]

By writing emails, journalling, calling a helpline when needed and occasionally panicking.

[stopdog]

Things I think one could try include -see a back up/sub therapist during the 8 weeks, plan a class or something like a massage each week during the usual therapy time or schedule reiki, yoga, cranial-sacral energy work, qi gong breathing etc. during the usual therapy appointment time.

[HealingTimes]

Wow, that's a long break! My T has 2 weeks off normally.
I am kept busy with preparations with my children.

[lightcatcher]

Thanks everyone. I guess I'll have to infill my time with something. I survived without T for this long the holiday break shouldn't kill me.
Thanks for a range of ideas stopdog, might have to do some of those!
Tinyrabbit are you still able to email your T while they are away?

[unlockingsanity]

Your T takes 8 weeks off for Christmas? Two MONTHS? What the heck!

[anilam]

Yeah, even your work gives you 4 weeks? I'd love that- we get 3 days for Christmas and a day for New Year:/

[Arha]

Perhaps Lightcatcher is in the Southern Hemisphere? Christmas can often be the start of the summer holidays, therefore the main annual holiday in some southern places.
Here a lot of companies force their staff to take a big break then and close the factory/office for several weeks. Things aren't back to normal till the end of January.

My therapist has been gone for two years in another country. Family emergency that has gone on and on. We skype sometimes and talk on the phone a coupoe times a week. I email her a lot, she likes that. I keep busy reading a lot, i have several hobbies, i work a lot, i exercize, i have my family, i do stuff to keep busy. Sometimes i just nap! I miss my therapist sooooo incredibly much. Last year i went to visit her for a couple of weeks and we spent a lot of time together. We also send care packages, we also write letters, we vounteer, i listen to a lot of books on cd, i just try to keep busy especially on the really hard days.

[unaluna]

Knock on wood, my therapist is Jewish and comes into the office on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, and usually even New Year's Eve morning. Idky but he seems kind of oblivious to the outside world sometimes. He will take a holiday at Thanksgiving tho.

[lightcatcher]

Yes my work place shuts for the holidays. As do others, I guess that's why T will be away too. I expected that, but didn't realise it would be so long. I'm scared ill shut it all off and we will have to restart all again.

Originally Posted by lightcatcher

Hi all I hope this week is treating everyone kindly so far. With Christmas approaching fast I have become aware that T will be having time of. Now I knew this was coming however I am terrified at this. I know in my work we have 4 weeks off, and I know T will be having about twice that.

Basically I'm wondering how others have managed without T for a long period of time? And has this effected how you have returned to the work with T after the break?

My T is away for 8 or 9 weeks during Northern Hemisphere summer (only two weeks for Christmas, which is pretty much the minimum holiday.) I found it very difficult this year. I tried to keep a journal, which helped somewhat.

Try to discuss with your T beforehand how the break can become more manageable. If you can be in some kind of contact if necessary, that might help. My T told me that I could txt him - I didn't do that, but it helped knowing that I could. I did write a couple of paper letters and sent them to his office. It did not feel intrusive, since he would have the choice of whether to read his work mail or not, during his holiday.

Returning after the break was easier than I'd thought it would be. It wasn't back to normal immediately, of course, but it did not take that long to get back.