When Crisis Won’t Wait: Getting Help Through the Holidays
The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, for many families, it’s also a time when unresolved challenges come to light. Behavioral concerns, unexpected disclosures, or long-standing issues often feel impossible to overlook during this reflective season.
For families navigating therapeutic and educational challenges, the holidays can become a pivotal moment. Kids returning home from boarding schools, college, or treatment programs often bring unresolved struggles. Parents, removed from the distractions of everyday routines, may suddenly confront issues that were previously hidden.
In my years of experience supporting families, I’ve seen countless examples of how the holiday season can become a turning point. Take the family whose college-aged son came home for winter break. His escalating behavior—including an incident involving alcohol and law enforcement—revealed the severity of his substance use struggles. What had once been manageable from a distance became impossible to ignore during the holidays, prompting the family to seek urgent support.
These moments of crisis can feel overwhelming and paralyzing. Families are often unsure of where to start or how to move forward. That’s where we come in.
The Unique Challenges of the Holiday Season
The holidays amplify everything—both the joyful and the difficult. While it’s a time for connection, traditions, and reflection, it also brings heightened stress. Financial pressures, travel logistics, and the emotional weight of family gatherings can exacerbate underlying issues.
For parents, this season can feel like a mirror reflecting back the struggles they’ve been too busy to address. Extended family gatherings, where everyone is observing and commenting, only increase the pressure.
Common challenges include:
Teenagers isolating themselves, avoiding family interactions.
Signs of substance use or dependency becoming more noticeable.
Emotional disclosures about traumatic experiences at school or elsewhere.
The result? Families face challenges that can no longer be ignored, yet during the holidays, many professionals and organizations scale back their availability. Schools are closed, and therapeutic programs often operate with limited staff.
Why Liston Education Group is Different
At Liston Education Group, we understand that crises don’t wait, and neither do we. Families deserve immediate, compassionate, and professional support—no matter the season.
When families contact us, we listen first and act quickly. Each case is unique, and we approach every situation with urgency and care. Our services include:
Immediate crisis response: Addressing dangerous situations and consulting with trusted professionals to develop a plan of action.
Behavioral concerns: Connecting families with appropriate resources, from therapeutic programs to outpatient services.
School and program transitions: Guiding families when a current program isn’t the right fit, helping them navigate transitions and find tailored solutions.
Our approach is thorough and thoughtful. While we act quickly, we ensure decisions are based on accurate data and an understanding of the family’s needs. This leads to meaningful and lasting outcomes.
Turning Crisis Into a New Beginning
The holidays often shine a spotlight on challenges families have tried to ignore. Yet these moments of crisis can also be opportunities for growth, healing, and renewal when families have the right support.
One family, for instance, reached out after their son disclosed a traumatic experience at school during winter break. While painful, this admission became the catalyst for the family to seek trauma-informed treatment and create a supportive plan for the new year.
In another case, a high-achieving student returned home feeling withdrawn and anxious. By connecting the family with therapeutic and academic resources, we addressed the root causes of the child’s distress and helped them move forward with clarity and hope.
Advice for Families During the Holidays
If you’re feeling overwhelmed this holiday season, know that you’re not alone. Here are three strategies to help:
Lean on your support system: Share your concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or therapist.
Set boundaries: Prioritize self-care. Whether it’s taking a walk or saying “no” to an event, small actions can help protect your well-being.
Stay observant: Pay attention to behavioral changes in your child, and create a plan for addressing them—whether it’s a conversation or seeking professional support.
Moving Forward With Support
The holidays bring unique challenges, but they also remind us of the importance of connection, compassion, and resilience. At Liston Education Group, we’re here to ensure that no family faces these moments alone.
Whether it’s navigating a crisis, transitioning to a new program, or planning for long-term success, we’re honored to be part of your journey. If you or someone you know needs help, we’re ready to listen and support you—every step of the way.