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As a mental health practitioner in private practice, taking time off for yourself and closing your office for the holidays is an essential boundary to set for your own self-care. This “Office Closed for Holiday” message template will help prepare your clients ahead of time. It sets the stage for you to offer helpful resources to clients who may need additional support during this time, pre-empting any crisis management you won’t be able to address.
For therapists, creating and honoring the boundaries we set is as important for ourselves as it is for our clients. If we set the expectation that boundaries are important all year round, when you do take time off for vacations and breaks for self-care or close your practice for the holidays, it won’t come as a surprise to your clients.
Using a “Practice Closing for the Holiday Template,” like the one in this article, sets clear expectations about when your practice is closing for a holiday.
This guide provides an overview of key information to include in your communication, a comprehensive list of crisis resources, and a free downloadable “Office Closed for Holiday” message template that you can customize for your practice.
What to consider when using a holiday closure template
When preparing to customize an “Office Closed for Holiday” message template for your practice, consider the following:
Plan ahead
Ensure that you give sufficient notice by planning to send out the announcement at least a month in advance.
Talk to your staff
If your practice has multiple clinicians, you may want to have a staff meeting to discuss requests for time off on days when the office is open to adhere to your policies and plan accordingly.
Consider clients who do not celebrate the holidays
If you have capacity, you may want to consider opening the practice for individuals who do not celebrate the holidays—for religious or familial reasons. Get clear with your staff about who intends to work and holiday scheduling expectations.
Be mindful of actual holiday days
Some holidays fall on non-workdays and are observed on the next business day. Ensure that you acknowledge these holidays in your communication, along with the days you plan to close your office or have reduced hours.
Update your calendar
Record all closures, office parties, and vacations in your electronic health record (EHR) to ensure clients do not book sessions on those days.
Include emergency contacts and resources
List emergency contact information for clients in crisis when the office is closed. You may also want to include a list of resources, such as a crisis line telephone number, emergency room information, and an emergency contact number for your practice.
Determine your communication strategy and delivery methods
Use our “Office Closed for Holiday” message template to communicate your office closure information to clients via social media, your EHR messaging tool, letters, and emails. You can also include a pop-up message on your website.
Provide reminders to clients in session
Post the closure dates on a sign, in your office, and remind clients in sessions.
Resources for clients in crisis
If your office is closed during the holiday season, you’ll want to include a list of resources for clients in your sample holiday closure announcement.
The following resources are nationally available to individuals experiencing a mental health emergency:
Crisis hotlines
- SAMHSA National Helpline: 24/7 referral and information services for mental health, addiction, crisis/disaster response, and treatment referral. Call 1-800-662-4357 or send your ZIP Code in a text message to 435748.
- SAMHSA Treatment Locator for Behavioral Health Treatment Services: A behavioral health treatment services locator for mental health problems and substance use/addiction. Prompt clients to visit www.findtreatment.gov for more information.
- SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: 24/7 helpline for immediate counseling related to disasters. Call 1-800-985-5990.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: This is a free, confidential, 24/7 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline for people experiencing mental health-related distress or for those concerned about a loved one who may need crisis support from a trained crisis counselor. Clients can call or text 988,chat with a counselor at 988lifeline.org, or visit the website for more information.
- National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs: Call 212-714-1141 for English and Spanish speaking domestic violence support.
- Military/Veterans Crisis Line: Call 1-800-273-8255, or text 838255. There is also a confidential chat at MilitaryCrisisLine.net.
BIPOC crisis resources
- Call Blackline: This resource provides counseling, support, and resources for Black LGBTQ+ individuals. Call 800-604-5841.
- Asian Mental Health Project: A directory for Asian communities seeking mental healthcare.
- Wellbriety Movement: Hosted by White Bison, this is a mutual-aid support meeting that provides culturally-based healing to Indigenous people across America and Canada. You can attend meetings in-person and online.
- Native American Rehabilitation Association: Provides adult outpatient addiction treatment services to Native American people.
- StrongHearts Native Helpline: 24-hour support provides confidential and anonymous advice for Native Americans experiencing domestic and dating violence. Call 844-762-8483.
LGBTQ+ crisis resources
- The Trevor Project: 24/7 support by trained counselors for LGBTQ+ Youth. Clients can call 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678.
- THRIVE Lifeline: Provides a 24/7 text-based crisis hotline to keep trans individuals safe during a mental health crisis. The hotline is run by trans individuals for adults 18 years or older. Text “THRIVE” to +1 (313) 662-8209.
- Trans Lifeline: A 24/7 hotline available in the US and Canada for transgender people struggling with crisis, gender identity, or thoughts of self-harm, staffed by trans people. Call 877-565-8860 in the US or call 1-877-330-6366 in Canada.
Sample "Office Closed For Holiday" message template
Download our free “Office Closed for the Holiday” message template to let your clients know when your office will be closed for a holiday.
Make sure to include your contact information in case of emergencies, and a list of mental health resources in your sample notice of closure for holidays.
An example of what to include in your practice closing for holiday template is:
I wanted to let you know that my office will be closed from [date] to [date] for [insert holiday]. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you need to get into contact with me, please leave me a voicemail at [phone number] and I will return your call as soon as our office reopens.
If you experience a mental health crisis or medical emergency at any time during this period, please dial 911, or visit the nearest emergency room as soon as possible. I have attached a list of resources for immediate mental health crisis support.
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