For many people, December is wrapped in celebration and joy. But for many, and often behind closed doors, it’s also one of the most challenging periods of the year. New research backs that up.
A recent Medibank survey (Nov 2024) found more than one in three Australians expect the cost of Christmas to negatively impact their mental health, while 38 per cent anticipate feeling lonely at some point over the holiday period. Among young adults aged 18 to 24, only around a quarter believe they’ll go through Christmas without any mental-health concerns at all.
Headspace’s December 2024 findings tell a similar story. For young people and their families, the holiday season is a “source of stress”, especially when relationships are strained.
With pressures around money, social expectations, family dynamics and disrupted routines, the season that’s meant to bring bells of joy often brings everything else with it – stress, sadness and overwhelm, just to name a few.
But there’s hope. In response, Adelaide Psychology & Co (APCo) – one of the city’s fastest-growing and forward-thinking practices – is encouraging people to take a proactive step. They’ve created a pre-holiday mental health check-in designed to help individuals identify their personal stressors early and head into December feeling supported, grounded and well-equipped to tackle the festive season.
“It’s the things you already carry that the holidays tend to amplify,” shares Principal Psychologist Jen Burke, who runs APCo with her husband, Ben Tan.
She explains that the goal isn’t to wait until someone hits breaking point.
“What we’d be helping clients to do is identify what their triggers are,” Jen explains.
“Things like spending time with family, financial stress, the pressure of having children at home on school holidays … and then helping the client develop a clear plan about how they’ll cope with those different triggers.”
Unlike traditional pathways that require GP mental-health care plans and referrals, APCo has made this check-in a standalone, one-off session, offered at a discounted rate of $150.
“You don’t need to be an existing client,” says Jen. “You don’t need a referral. You can come in, get the tools you need, and walk away feeling more prepared.”
Who Is the Check-In For?
While absolutely anyone is welcome to book in for the session, APCo say they’ve designed it with two groups particularly in mind:
- Those without strong family support, who may feel the absence of togetherness more acutely during the holidays.
- People working through Christmas, who often report feeling low or disconnected because they can’t take part in celebrations or rest.
“It’s for the person who might be feeling a little more stressed than usual,” Jen says. “Someone who just needs support, clarity and a plan – without having to commit to long-term therapy.”
What Actually Happens During the Session?
The check-in is practical, personalised, and focused on three main areas:
1. Identifying stressors:
Financial pressure, gifting expectations, family conflict, loneliness, travel, co-parenting complexities, or simply losing routine – all common but often overlooked triggers.
2. Mapping existing strengths:
“We start with the client’s own resources,” Jen says. “What strategies do they already have? Who supports them? What’s worked for them before?”
3. Building a coping plan:
Clients walk away with a tailored strategy for handling December challenges – from communication tools to grounding techniques, boundary-setting scripts, mood-management tactics, and small daily practices designed to keep anxiety in check.
So who is APCo?
Founded by Ben and Jen six years ago, the practice started in a small two-bedroom cottage. The pair juggled multiple jobs while maintaining the business full-time, determined to build a space that genuinely helps people. And that work has fuelled rapid growth. Earlier this year, they opened a second practice on Pirie Street and continue expanding to meet demand, reshaping mental health care in South Australia.
Leading up to Christmas, the team has also taken on four new experts:
- Rufia Valiff – specialising in work with immigrants, refugees and minority groups
- Matt Alderman – focusing on drug and alcohol treatment, and mental health support for rural and remote clients
- Isaiah Fabbro – supporting clients with anxiety and depression
- Ellen Gecz – working with children, teens and young adults
“We want to be able to assist all clients who inquire,” Ben and Jen say. “Having clinicians with niche specialities means we don’t have to turn anyone away – we can support them in-house.”
The pre-holiday check-in can be a stand alone session, but APCo also offers ongoing therapy for those who need more sustained care
“Whether it’s a one-off or long-term, we can offer both,” they say. “We want people to know support is there, before the stress escalates.”
With December approaching fast – and national data showing a growing mental-health strain around the festive season, APCo’s reminder is clear – you don’t need to wait until you’re overwhelmed to ask for help. Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is support before you think you need it, and we all deserve to have a stress-free Christmas.
Adelaide Psychology & Co
When: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm
Where: 246 Pirie Street and 121 Wright St, Adelaide
For the website, click here.
For more info and to book your check-in, click here.
More News
