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Writer's pictureSamantha Cooke

Why Your Counsellor Takes Breaks: Ensuring the Best Support for You



Introduction


Before starting my private practice, I worked in schools as a school counsellor. I remember being told I would have a break roughly every 6 weeks, following the school calendar. What?! That sounded crazy to me and like an excessive amount of breaks. But now, I carry that same principle of regular breaks into my private practice. Why? Because I quickly learned the importance of taking time to recharge so I can give my best to each client.


It’s that old saying: you can’t pour from an empty cup. As a counsellor, I build strong, trusting relationships with my clients. I’m fully present in our sessions, listening deeply to what’s said, noticing what isn’t said, and responding to the myriad of non-verbal cues that reveal so much. I care deeply about each of my clients, and the empathy I offer comes straight from the heart. To be fully on the ball, I need energy and focus - and regular breaks are how I make sure I can give that to each client, every session.

 

Caring for You Means Caring for Ourselves


As a Registered Member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I adhere to the BACP’s Ethical Framework for The Counselling Profession, ensuring I maintain professional and ethical standards in my practice. One key principle in this framework is self-respect, which emphasises self-knowledge, integrity, and care for oneself.


Taking regular breaks supports my care for self, allowing me to ground myself and refocus my energy, so I can give each client the attention and empathy they deserve. By listening to my own needs and addressing them, I’m better equipped to stay fully present with clients. I often remind clients that self-care doesn’t follow a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Sometimes it’s as simple as taking a leisurely bath, reading, or catching up on a favourite show. Other times, it’s about engaging in activities like going for a swim, preparing meals for the week, or tackling that cluttered cupboard.


It’s an ongoing process. Just as a phone needs daily charging, I also need regular self-care habits to maintain my energy. While these habits keep me grounded day-to-day, breaks allow me to dive deeper, recharging fully so I can bring my best self to each client session.

 

The Emotional Weight of Counselling


As a counsellor, my role is to “hold space” for you - a term we use to describe creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental environment where you can freely explore your thoughts, emotions, and experiences. This space is yours to use as you need, whether to express challenging emotions, process painful memories, or simply feel heard without judgment. My focus is on being fully present with you, listening deeply, and responding with empathy and care.


This level of attentiveness requires both emotional and mental energy. Empathy, while essential to our work, can be intense and emotionally demanding. To sustain this, I take regular breaks to recharge and ensure I can offer you my undivided focus and compassion in every session.


These pauses allow me to return to our sessions fully refreshed, ready to engage and support you with a clear mind and an open heart. When I’m energised and present, you receive the best possible support, ensuring a more enriching and effective counselling experience.

 

Preventing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue


In helping professions like counselling, the risk of burnout is very real. Burnout happens when the constant demand to be present and supportive without enough rest leads to exhaustion, reducing a counsellor’s ability to provide effective care. Another related challenge is compassion fatigue - a state of emotional exhaustion that can occur after consistently empathising with others’ difficult emotions and experiences. When compassion fatigue sets in, it becomes harder to respond with genuine empathy, which is crucial for meaningful counselling.


To protect against these risks, I take breaks that allow me to recharge and refocus. These pauses ensure I bring fresh energy, emotional resilience, and undivided attention to each session. Regularly renewing my energy helps me to be fully available to you, offering the compassionate, high-quality support you deserve every time we meet.

 

How Taking Breaks Helps You as a Client


Taking regular breaks allows me to pause, reflect, and recharge - steps that are essential for offering you the best support possible. These breaks provide time to process and gain new insights, which I can bring back to our sessions with fresh energy and perspective. This renewal helps me to stay fully engaged and responsive to your needs, ensuring that I’m able to listen deeply, remember key details, and empathise genuinely.


By investing in this time to restore myself, I can consistently maintain a high standard of care. A well-rested counsellor offers a richer therapeutic experience, where you feel truly heard, supported, and understood. My goal is for each session to be as impactful and meaningful as possible, and regular breaks are part of how I can make sure that every session is focused on helping you move forward in your journey.

 

What You Can Expect When a Break Happens


I roughly plan my breaks at the start of the year to ensure I can space them appropriately and give advance notice to my clients. While things aren’t always set in stone, as my plans firm up, I communicate openly with clients about the timing. It can be really helpful to understand any planned breaks you might also have coming up. By discussing upcoming breaks together, we can prepare for this time thoughtfully. This collaborative approach helps maintain continuity and keeps your progress moving forward, even when we’re not in session.


When I return, I’m re-energised, refreshed, and ready to focus fully on your needs. These planned breaks allow me to continue offering the same level of care, attention, and commitment you rely on, so our work together remains as supportive and impactful as possible.

 

Conclusion: Breaks Are for You, Too


In summary, taking regular breaks is a vital part of ethical, responsible counselling care. These pauses are designed to ensure you receive the highest quality support, allowing me to stay focused, compassionate, and fully present with you in each session. My commitment to taking care of myself directly benefits our work together, enhancing the counselling process and helping me provide consistent, attentive care.


If you have any questions about how breaks fit into our work or how I can support you during these times, please feel free to ask. I’m here to ensure you feel supported, valued, and confident in every step of your journey.

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