5 things every mental health professional should do before closing for Christmas

Best Practice
Written By Virtual Vibrance

19 November 2025

The festive season is almost upon us, and it’s time to wind down, switch off, and take that well-deserved break. Before you step into holiday mode, here’s a quick checklist to ensure your practice wraps up smoothly so you can truly relax and start 2026 feeling refreshed.

 

Set expectations with clients

Whether it’s updating your website, sending a quick email, and/or sharing a holiday post on socials, make sure your clients know:

  • Your closure dates and when you’ll be back.

  • Any emergency contact options for you (if that’s something you offer), or reminders about help lines.

Clear communication now avoids last-minute confusion later.

Update your out-of-office email reply

A simple, cheerful auto-reply does the trick:

  • Let clients know when you’ll be returning.

  • Share a resource or FAQ link to help them while you’re away.

Bonus points for a festive touch: "Wishing you a peaceful holiday season - see you in 2026!"

Office shut down: tick off the basics

Before you lock up:

  • Turn off power points to save energy and avoid any power surges that can damage your electronics.

  • Safely store any valuables.

  • Do a quick walk-through to check everything’s secure.

  • If you have living plants, you might want to take them home with you or organise a slow-release watering system.

Now you can switch off your mind, too.

Finalise your invoicing

Ensure that all your invoicing is up-to-date before you close out the year. Staying on top of this now means no chasing payments when you return. (Plus extra money in the bank while you’re on leave!)

Reconfirm your January appointments

Before you head off, reconfirm your client appointments for January. You’ll hit the ground running without scrambling to arrange your calendar when you’re back.

 

BONUS TIP

Turn off email on your smartphone!

Seriously, this is your time to recharge! Turn off those notifications. Remove your email app (even just for the week). You’ve earned this break, so lean into it. Your practice and your clients will benefit from a refreshed and re-energised you in the new year.

 

From all of us at Virtual Vibrance, we wish you a Merry Christmas, a restful break, and a joyful start to 2026.

Virtual Vibrance https://www.virtualvibrance.com.au
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