[silverlining345]

What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking a month off of therapy?

A little r & r is good for the soul. I've found breaks from therapy actually pretty calming. It gave me time to get out of my head for awhile--to stop contemplating my belly button. For me, the trick was to truly take a break from it. That meant no reading about things related to my therapy or diagnosis. Sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to take that break.

The problem is the question of timing. Taking a break when you are in crisis is probably not terribly helpful. I had to be in a fairly routine spot in my life and feeling fairly stable; otherwise, it wasn't as successful.

This is one of the reasons I am glad I never had a set day and time every week for therapy. I was used to having sessions more as needed, so sometimes I spaced them out 10 days, 2 weeks, three weeks -- whatever felt like was needed rather than feeling like I had to go every 7 days come h*ll or high water. I think it helped me be able to reach that point of just naturally coming to an end in my therapy because it felt completely right as opposed to having to make some big decision about termination and closure and saying good-byes. I liked the organic ebb and flow of therapy that way. It was much calmer for me.

Go with what your instinct tells you is most comfortable and doable at a given time.

[Rive.]

If it's to process things, without feeling pressured or burdened or if you feel so much worse you can't 'function', then go for it. However, if the reason is to run away or avoid certain topics/feelings, then I'd think twice..

One month does seem quite long though, to go without support. I don't know your situation (and am not probing) but it also depends on why you are in T. As in, if you need support and will go without, then it might not be wise to take such a long break.

At any rate, do what you think is best for you.

[stopdog]

I find breaks quite useful. I don't plague myself or beat myself up about whether I am running away or anything like that. For me, breaks allow me to regroup and go back with clarification. I would think a client could take a break and if they wanted an appointment earlier than a month, call and see if one is available.