23rd June 2025 | Written by Rebeca Johnson, Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist.

As the summer fully arrives and the weather warms (despite the odd British shower!), I always find myself wondering this time of year:

Do people choose a holiday over therapy?

Like any profession, therapy has busier and quieter periods. This often makes me think of couples booking trips, hoping that simply going away to relax, unwind, and explore new sites will make their problems magically drift away. They envision a full week together (if a week away is their preference), believing that throwing money at a holiday will fix their relationship!

You’re struggling. You argue, bicker, work too much, and never have time for yourselves as a couple. Intimacy is missing, and sexual connection has dwindled to nothing, So, let’s book a holiday to change that.

The Temptation of an Escape.

You get on the plane, the weather’s great, the hotel is wonderful, the food’s delicious, and quality time feels fantastic. However, the issue you were experiencing are still showing up! Disagreements about where to eat, beach vs. pool days, who has the passports, or complaints about packing (“You didn’t pack my favourite shirt!”) (“Why have you packed so many outfits?”). The tension is still very much there.

Sometimes we genuinely believe things will improve with a holiday, a mini-break or a spa day, Yet, sadly, even in those fleeting moments of a week away or a weekend trip to a wonderful hotel, the underlying issues in our relationships will be right there to greet us.

When Holidays Don't Fix Issues.

I wonder if investing in therapy for a period of time, might just be a different kind of holiday your relationship truly needs. Whether issues are presenting as a lack of romantic connection, persistent intimacy problems, or you’re craving more time apart than together. Perhaps it’s the elephant in the room that always gets avoided let’s not even go there with our sexual challenges.

I wonder if the money invested in having a holiday was refocused on creating your dream relationship. How different could your life truly be?

Rebeca Johnson, Psychosexual and Relationship Therapist.

Qualifications: Dip, PGDip, MBACP, RegCOSRT

Website: www.trustingheartcounselling.co.uk