Why Summer Is the Perfect Time to Start Therapy (or Begin EMDR)

If your schedule slows down in the summer months, or you finally have a little more breathing room, it may actually be the ideal time to start therapy or begin EMDR therapy for deeper emotional healing. Whether you’ve been navigating trauma, anxiety, burnout, or people-pleasing, this season offers a unique opportunity to finally put yourself first.

Here’s why summer might be the perfect time to begin or return to counseling in St. Louis.

1. Your Nervous System Might Finally Have the Bandwidth

During the busier seasons of the year—like fall or spring—our nervous systems often operate in survival mode. You’re keeping up with school schedules, deadlines, caregiving, holidays, or emotional overload. By summer, the pace tends to slow down just enough to make emotional work feel more manageable.

This is especially true if you’re highly sensitive (HSP) or neurodivergent and find it hard to process deeper emotions when life feels chaotic. Starting EMDR therapy in the summer means you may have more emotional space to safely unpack what’s been stored away.

2. You’re Already in a Transition—Make It Intentional

Summer naturally brings transition. School is out. Schedules shift. People travel. And while this can feel disruptive, it’s also the perfect time to reflect, reset, and realign.

Therapy in St. Louis (or anywhere in Missouri through virtual sessions) can help you use this transition period intentionally—to begin letting go of old habits, start creating healthier boundaries, or work through trauma that continues to linger under the surface.

Instead of waiting for the “right time,” why not let summer be the start of something new?

3. EMDR Therapy Is Highly Effective When You Have Time to Rest

If you’ve been curious about trying EMDR therapy—a powerful tool for processing trauma and emotional blocks—summer may be the ideal time to begin. Because EMDR can bring up intense emotions (in a healing way), having extra time to rest, recover, and integrate between sessions is incredibly supportive.

You might finally have the space to not just talk about healing—but actually experience it.

4. Summer Can Stir Up Hidden Stressors

While summer may seem “easier” on the outside, it can stir up old stressors—especially for HSPs and neurodivergent women.

For example:

• The pressure to be social when you're burned out

• Unstructured time that brings up anxiety or dysregulation

• Old family patterns that resurface during vacations or reunions

• Body image discomfort when the focus shifts to appearance

• Grief or loneliness that shows up when the world seems "happy" and you're not

These are valid emotional challenges—and therapy can help you feel less alone and more empowered to handle them.

5. You Deserve Support Before Things Get Hard Again

It’s tempting to wait until things feel “bad enough” to reach out for help—but healing works best when it happens proactively, not just reactively.

Getting support now means:

• You’ll be in a stronger place come fall or winter

• You’ll have tools to regulate your nervous system before burnout sets in

• You’ll feel more emotionally resourced to navigate future stress

Think of therapy like preventative care for your mental health. You’re allowed to work on yourself before the next storm hits.

6. Virtual Therapy Makes Summer Even More Accessible

If you’re traveling, parenting full-time, or just don’t want to sit in traffic when it’s 95 degrees outside—good news: I offer virtual therapy across Missouri.

Whether you're starting EMDR, exploring people-pleasing patterns, or learning how to manage anxiety and overstimulation, you can meet with me from the comfort of home.

7. It’s Okay to Want More For Yourself

Maybe you’ve gotten used to surviving—keeping your emotions contained and your needs on the back burner.

But what if this summer, you chose to believe you deserve more?

More calm. More clarity. More connection to yourself.

Therapy can help you get there—and this might be the perfect season to begin.

Ready to Start Therapy in St. Louis (or Anywhere in Missouri)?

I specialize in working with highly sensitive and neurodivergent women through a trauma-informed, compassionate lens. If you’re ready to process what’s been weighing you down, let go of the patterns that no longer serve you, and start living more fully—I’d love to help.

Schedule your free 20-minute consultation today at therapyinstlouis.com