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Dr. John Álvarez

Let's Build a Bonfire? (Your 2026 Plan)

Published 9 days ago • 1 min read

A Halloween thought & a practical plan for 2026.

Happy almost Halloween!

Beyond the candy, costumes and pumpkins, the roots of Halloween go way back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

For the Celts, this time marked the end of the harvest and the start of the winter—the darker half and more reflective season. They believed the veil between worlds thinned on October 31st, making it a natural time to acknowledge the past and clear the way for the new year ahead. People lit bonfires and wore costumes, partly to connect with that spirit world, partly to protect themselves.

As we head into our own end-of-year stretch (only about 9 weeks left!), it feels like a good time for our own version of "clearing." Instead of waiting for a frantic sprint on January 1st, we can do the foundational work now to step into 2026 feeling clearer and more grounded.

Which brings me to the practical part:

Most extended health benefits—the ones covering therapy and counselling—reset on December 31st.

If you don't use this year's benefits, they disappear. They don't roll over.

Your benefits are a resource you've already earned. A tool in your kit, ready to be used. It just makes the decision to invest in yourself that much easier.

Imagine walking into the new year with a clear map, not just a list of resolutions. Imagine showing up for the holidays feeling more present. We can use these last few weeks to build that foundation.

My schedule for November and December is filling up quickly. If you have benefits left and you're ready to use them, now's the time. I am working until December 23rd and will be back on December 29th.

Don't wait for the New Year chaos. Use the resource you have now to set yourself up well for 2026.

If you would like your remaining benefits checked, just reply to this email with your insurance plan info, or [book yourself a session here], and we'll handle the rest.

Wishing you and yours a Happy Halloween. And If you build a bonfire, send over a picture!

Cheers,

— Dr. John Álvarez

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Dr. John Álvarez

MD MA RCC CGP PATGC

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