The truth about taking time off in private practice
27 April 2026
As Virtual Vibrance founder Bec packs for her annual trip overseas, she reflects on why taking holidays feels harder in private practice, and why you still need to prioritise them.
We’re all entitled to taking a decent break, but in private practice, taking time off can leave many professionals feeling like it would have been better if they just… didn’t.
I’ll be honest: taking leave in private practice can feel stressful.
You’re not just booking a holiday. You’re thinking about:
Your clients
Your income
Your bills
Your inbox
Your schedule
Everything that needs you…
If taking time off feels harder than it used to in employment, you’re not imagining it.
At least once a year, take a proper break
Not a long weekend.
Not, “I’ll still check emails…”
A real break.
Personally, I think a minimum of two weeks gives you the best chance to properly switch off, reset, and come back refreshed.
Even better if you can build in smaller breaks across the year, too.
Because private practice should support your life, not consume it.
I try to take time off each quarter, ideally a week at a time.
Does it always happen? Absolutely not (I’m getting better, though). But the idea and intention are there.
Long weekends don’t count
I said what I said.
By the time you unwind, your weekend is almost finished, and your brain is already gearing up for the workdays ahead.
Short breaks are great, but they don’t allow for the rest you really need.
Budget for your time off
This is the part we tend to forget.
You don’t just need money for the holiday itself. You also need to cover ongoing business expenses, personal bills, and time with reduced or limited income coming in.
My recommendation?
Set up a separate savings account for your ‘leave entitlements’ and contribute weekly, just like your old boss used to.
A good rule of thumb is 2-5% of your regular weekly income. This makes taking leave far less financially stressful when it’s time to wind down and chill out.
Start preparing a month out
At least a month before you head off on leave:
Let your clients know
Talk through support options
Adjust appointments
Refer to trusted colleagues, if appropriate
Prepare resources
Finalise your admin
Importantly, have the conversation with your clients more than once. Clients appreciate knowing what to expect.
The week before your holidays will probably feel stressful
Totally normal. No matter how organised you are, the lead-up to your leave will feel full on. There will likely be more sessions, more pressure, more admin, and more loose ends to tidy up, especially if you’re taking more than a week off.
I call it the compression bubble. Give yourself space and grace during this time.
My tip: When you first plan your leave, block out some additional time during the week before you go. You’ll need it for clients who need last-minute sessions, or for the extra admin that sneaks up on you.
For me, if I’m taking a week off, the lead-up stress isn’t too bad. But if I’m taking three weeks off, major stress! I need to ensure my clients are sorted and ensure my team is well prepared for me not being around.
Systems help, but they don’t replace you
You can have all the procedure manuals, processes, templates, and checklists in place. But stepping away often shows you how much knowledge lives in your head. All those tiny details, judgment calls, and things you do automatically.
It’s useful information.
And it can show you what may need documenting or delegating.
Stay on leave while you’re on leave
This is the golden rule. If you’re taking time off, take time off. Fully disconnect where you can.
Rest up, be present, and enjoy normal human things.
And you’ll come back far better for it.
If you worry everything will fall apart without you…
It may be time for ongoing support, not just support while you’re on leave.
I don’t believe someone can step into your business for 1-2 weeks and keep it running as smoothly as you do. And, I have the experience to back my claim.
I’m highly experienced in the mental health industry, and with Halaxy, however, each business owner I work with does things just a bit differently from the others. That’s because private practice isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing.
I need to learn your ways of doing things that work for you and your clients, because everything is nuanced. And learning each of those nuances takes time. This is why I don’t offer a temporary cover service at Virtual Vibrance.
What I do recommend is:
Start outsourcing the admin tasks well ahead of time, e.g. outsource to a VA a few hours a week
Build better systems behind the scenes
You don’t need to do everything alone forever.
Taking leave in private practice can feel way harder than it should, but it’s essential. It’s a must!
Rest is not a reward once everything else is done. Rest is a core part of running a sustainable practice.
Plan for your rest, budget for it, protect it, and most importantly, enjoy it!
Bec x
