Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBest for Talk TherapyBest for Anxiety and DepressionBest for CouplesBest for KidsBest With InsuranceHow to Handle the Holidays on Your Own
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Best for Talk Therapy
Best for Anxiety and Depression
Best for Couples
Best for Kids
Best With Insurance
How to Handle the Holidays on Your Own
The holidays can be stressful for anyone—but what happens when thatstress becomes overwhelming?
Maybe your anxiety hits the roof as you’re anticipating a family gathering; maybe you and your spouse always get into fights when you’re trying to make holiday plans. But no matter what kind of support you need in the holiday season, there’s an online therapy service that can help.
Here are our recommendations for online therapy for any kind of problem that may arise during the holidays, as well as tips on how to make it through this challenging time of year.
Do you find that, as the holidays approach, you wish you had someone to vent to about the upcoming stress? Look no further thanTalkspace, an online therapy company that has been around for over a decade. Talkspace can set you up with a licensed therapist who can help you tackle all yournegative feelings about the holiday seasonand work with you to develop a plan that will keep you calm and collected no matter what.
The Best Online Therapy ProgramsWe’ve tried, tested and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, Betterhelp, and Regain.
Whether you find that your anxiety levels crank up to 11 around the holidays or your mood tends to get especially low as the weather gets colder and it gets dark earlier,Brightsidecan help. With a special focus on treating anxiety and depression, your Brightside therapist can teach you tools with which you can lower your anxiety and manage your depression, no matter what comes up during even the most fractious family gathering.
The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested
Are you tired of fighting with your spouse over holiday plans? Couples counseling serviceReGain, a subsidiary ofBetterHelp, is a great place to turn to for help with your relationship. Attend sessions with your partner (even from different locations) and work with a therapist who specializes in couples and relationship therapy so that you and your other half can work together to strengthen your relationship in the face of holiday stress.
The 10 Best Online Couples Therapy Services We Tried and Tested
Online Therapy Services for Kids and Families, Tried and Tested
For many, the holiday season means extra expenses and tightening your belt to afford all the extra costs of presents and travel. This might mean you have less to spend on your mental health. Don’t worry—that’s whereTeladoccomes in. By accepting a wide variety of insurance plans that cover online therapy and psychiatry services for the whole family, Teladoc makes mental health support accessible and affordable.
The 8 Best Online Therapy Services that Accept Insurance, Tried and Tested
While seeking professional mental health support is always preferable, sometimes—especially during the holidays, when everyone (even therapists) are taking time off—you’re going to be left to your own devices. So, how can you deal with the stress of the holidays when you’re on your own?
Set Boundaries
Then, follow through. “No, Aunt Betty, I told you that if you brought that up I would stop the conversation, so that’s what I’m doing. See you later.”
If this doesn’t do the trick, always remember that if things get really bad,you can leave. Whether this means taking a break in a bedroom or peacing out from the party altogether, taking care of yourself is more important than meeting unrealistic expectations from your family, especially if they’re the ones causing problems.
Take a Break
Finding yourself frustrated or otherwiseactivated during a family get-together?Find a quiet place you can go and do some deep breathing. This will lower your heart rate and let your nervous system know that you are not in danger, which will in turn lessen your anxiety.
You can also do agrounding exercise, like focusing on the things around you that you can see, hear, and touch, or a body scan, where you check in with every part of your body to find and release tension.
Can’t break away from the crowd? No worries—you can do sometimed breathing(breathe slowly in for four counts, slowly exhale for six) anywhere quietly and discreetly.
Check In With Your Friends
If you suspect you’re about to have a rough time with your family during the holidays, talk to your friends beforehand. Let them know you might need to check in with them to keep yourself sane, and offer them the same support from you. Knowing you have a lifeline out there in the real world can keep you (somewhat) sane.
The same goes for if you are not spending the holidays with your family. Use this time to connect with friends so that you don’t feel lonely. Have a “Friendsgiving” or throw your own holiday party with yourchosen family.This can help ward off theholiday blues.
Final Thoughts
Whether you decide to seek professional help for the challenges you encounter during the holidays or you need help going it alone, we’ve got you covered.
As a Neurodivergent Therapist, the Holidays Can Feel Overwhelming—Here’s How I Cope
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