You've probably heard of the summer slide - when kids experience distinct learning loss over the months of summer break. But what about a summer surge? Instead of the break being detrimental, summer can actually be a great time to build skills and enhance wellbeing before heading back to school. Here are 3 key ways you can use therapy over summer to create your own "summer surge."
1. Therapy before college
College challenges more than just academic ability. It tests emotional resilience, independence, and self-belief. Attending cognitive behavioral therapy as preparation for this transition can make all the difference! Because it is short-term, practical, and measurable, it can help with so many critical things:
Building confidence
Tackling perfectionism and negative self-talk
Addressing procrastination with specific strategies
Developing a plan for self-regulation and time management
Navigating social transitions and identity shifts
Preparing for changes that come with independent living, moving to a new area, and creating new relationships
Managing anxiety in general, and specific to this major transition
And because summer offers fewer time pressures, it’s the ideal season to focus on mental preparation.
2. Summer CBT for back-to-school prep
This is not therapy that drags on for months. A short-term CBT program (often 8–12 sessions) is structured, practical, and personalized. Here's what we often focus on to improve school readiness (for grades K-12 and college students):
✅ Building Coping Skills
From managing stress to breaking down feelings of overwhelm, summer is an optimal time to identify the things that get in the way of school performance, without having to also navigate the actual pressures of schools. You can learn breathing techniques, grounding tools, and real-life strategies to stay steady under pressure.
✅ Executive Function & Academic Readiness
We coach students on time management, planning, and how to break down large tasks into manageable pieces—key skills for staying afloat without external structure.
✅ Boosting Confidence
CBT sessions can include monitoring and restructuring beliefs about yourself and your abilities to succeed in the school environment. Head back to school feeling more confident in yourself!
3. CBT for mental health problems
Although mental health problems like anxiety and depression are present during school, sometimes it can feel so overwhelming to commit to treatment of those problems while balancing school. Spend your summer engaging in CBT in a more focused way to address the emotional difficulties you've been experiencing throughout the year.
Things that benefit from consolidated summer therapy:
Anxiety (social anxiety, phobias, general anxiety, school refusal, panic attacks, and more)
Low self-esteem
OCD
Family or relationship difficulties
Depression
ADHD
Emotional dysregulation
Summer provides the breathing room to work on these skills without the added pressure of the school day.
Let’s Set You Up for Success
Short-term CBT can help you feel more prepared, more grounded, and more confident for what lies ahead.
Reach out today to schedule a consultation or reserve a summer CBT spot.