How to Navigate Holiday Cancellations in Private Practice
During my early years in private practice, holiday cancellations were a big challenge. I’d often sacrifice family time to keep sessions available for clients, only to end up with last-minute cancellations and mixed feelings about charging my fee. This pattern left me feeling both resentful and guilty—something had to change!
Here’s my holiday approach now:
“If you’re needing support over the holidays, I’ll be available on the Monday of each holiday week. Since I’m working limited hours to spend time with family, I’m asking for a 72-hour cancellation notice. This gives me the chance to keep spots open for those needing extra support. No worries if it’s too busy—let’s plan for the following week!”
I consolidate client sessions for these holiday weeks into one or two days. While I’ll typically see seven to ten clients back-to-back, this setup lets me stay present for both my clients and my family without compromising income. It’s a bit intense, but for those limited weeks, it’s worth it to keep a healthy balance.
How do you manage holiday scheduling in your private practice? Let’s chat in the comments—I’d love to hear your strategies!
