For many people, Christmas is a happy time of the year, and whether you celebrate it or not, the festive season is a great time to get together with friends at the pub or catch up with family over some well-earned time off from work.

But for people who don’t have support networks, live far away from their loved ones or feel isolated, this time of the year can also be incredibly lonely. And, there’s no denying that loneliness is a growing issue in the UK – last year, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) reported that almost half of therapists saw an increase in people coming to therapy for support with loneliness and isolation. “Christmas is often portrayed as a time of warmth, connection and the happiest time of the year. But when our reality doesn’t match our expectations, it can make us feel left out in the cold,” explains BACP registered therapist Charlotte Braithwaite.

Even if you don’t feel isolated at this time of the year, you might be worried about the people around you who do. Maybe it’s the friend who’s staying in the city rather than heading home or a family member who you won’t manage to see on Christmas Day. In order to help you best support the people around you, three therapists share their advice on how to make our loved ones feel less lonely over the festive season.

3 therapists share how to best support friends and family through loneliness over the festive season