Are You Feeling The Stress Of Adulthood?
Have you developed symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress as a result of a significant change in your life?
Are you on the brink of a new experience or milestone but struggling to feel confident in yourself and your abilities?
Do you have questions about who you are, what your purpose is, and how to live authentically in accordance with your values and goals?
You may be experiencing ongoing stress as you manage changes and life milestones. Whether you’re embarking on a new journey or trying to resolve past issues, you may have noticed setbacks in your
As Someone In Your Late Teens Or Early Twenties, You’re Figuring Out Who You Are And Who You Want To Be
If you have recently graduated from college or moved out of your parents’ house, you may be wondering what’s next. Perhaps you’re struggling to figure out your career path or concerned about choosing a job that will be meaningful and fulfilling. As you begin to explore what your role in society will be, you are likely to encounter big, looming questions about your identity and purpose.
These questions don’t just affect your career aspirations and decision-making—they’ve probably impacted how you view your relationships. Maybe you want to veer from what your parents expect of you, or perhaps there is a friend or partner whom you’ve outgrown. It’s possible that issues of sex and dating have presented certain challenges. And as someone in their twenties, may have questions about your orientation, gender, and overall identity.
As You Grow Into Adulthood, You’re Bound To Take On More Challenging Roles And Expectations
On the other hand, you may be in your late twenties or thirties and grappling with some of the major responsibilities of adulthood. Whether you’re newly married, recently divorced, caring for young children, or reeling from the death of a loved one, you may be feeling overwhelmed by stress. Grieving the life–or the person–you’ve left behind, you may have developed anxiety, depression, or other setbacks to your mental health, causing you to feel ambivalent about the future.
Not to mention, you’ve been forced to grow up in an unprecedented and often anxiety-inducing era between climate change, political discord, and other global crises. The world can be a brutal place to live, and it’s likely you feel pressure to simultaneously tackle your personal problems and the problems of the world at large—especially if you’re a parent.
It’s common for young adults to develop anxiety, depression, and other challenges to their emotional well-being, but therapy can help. As your therapist, I can guide you in processing past pains, identifying current stressors, and charting a plan forward that is optimistic and fulfilling.
Growing Pains Are Part Of Growing Up
As we grow into our twenties and thirties, it’s normal to develop perfectionistic tendencies, accumulating fears, and a more existential view of the world. The majority of us have been placed on some track toward “success” since childhood, so it’s hard to differentiate when we are following our intuition—and when we’re just going through the motions of what’s expected.
Moreover, drastic and constantly changing circumstances continue to impact our generation and generations to come. These days, the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a little more drawn out, with many of us changing careers multiple times and waiting to get married or start a family. An increase in access to higher education opportunities, changes in the economy and workforce, and shifts in gender and cultural norms have created different lifestyles and aspirations than those of generations past.
Additionally, the internet has profoundly affected our mental health and self-perception. As budding adults, we might internalize the comparison culture of social media that reinforces feelings of inadequacy or self-doubt. As we scroll through images of “perfect” relationships, careers, and bodies, we feel a tug between adhering to the status quo and charting our own path.
Taking on the typical roles of adulthood—employee, spouse, parent, and independent child—involves a lot of challenges and decision-making. And with every decision we make, we’re left to wonder how our choices will contribute to the most sustainable, satisfying life possible. Yet, these struggles during young adulthood don’t indicate a “failure to launch,” but rather serve as an opportunity to separate yourself from the noise. In counseling for young adults, you can learn to live more intentionally as you reduce stress-related symptoms and feelings of grief.
Therapy Offers Young Adults New Perspective And Lifelong Skills For Emotional Awareness
In today’s opinion-saturated society, you could probably use some time throughout the week to pause and reflect in a nonjudgmental environment. Therapy provides you with a chance to feel supported in exploring your emotions, identity, and experience as a young adult.
I understand the pressures and worries you face amid life’s transitions, and I can help you understand the why behind your behaviors. As you gain clarity on your values and motivations, you can escape the feeling of living in fear to instead make deliberate, fulfilling choices about your future.
An Eclectic Approach To Therapy
Using an array of therapeutic methods, my style as a therapist helps young adults navigate identity and overcome daily symptoms of depression and anxiety. My blend of evidence-based approaches allows you to connect to your emotions on a deep level and develop an understanding of how past relationships and experiences have shaped your outlook.
In addition to gaining valuable perspective on yourself and your values, you’ll learn lifelong skills for regulating emotions and coping with stress. With the insights you gain in therapy for young adults, you’ll be able to live more mindfully, communicate more clearly, and work towards realistic, life-affirming goals.
I know that all the noise is making it difficult to figure out where life as a young adult is taking you, but counseling gives you a chance to discover what makes you happy and what makes you you—even during this wild time of transition and ambiguity.
Maybe You’ve Encountered Mental Health Obstacles In Young Adulthood, But You’re Not Sure If Therapy Is Right For You…
As a young adult with an inconsistent schedule, how can I keep a standing appointment for therapy?
I will work around your schedule and find a time that works for you to meet. We can arrange a plan that involves checking in at the end of each session or when you have a solid idea of what your schedule is going to be. And together, we can come up with a time that works for you each week.
I have seen a therapist since becoming a young adult, but it didn’t help.
Every clinical professional has a different way of approaching treatment. My approach centers around the philosophy that everyone comes into therapy with a unique set of circumstances, so there is no set way of treating a client.
As a clinician specializing in the treatment of young adults, I prioritize the client-therapist relationship so that you can feel safe and seen in counseling. Though it takes time to build this connection, I find that my clients and I are able to build a strong rapport and foster a safe space for reflection. And because I customize therapy to meet the needs of my young adult clients, we can target your unique goals and symptoms of anxiety and depression.
How do I explain why I am in therapy to my friends/family/partner?
This is something that we can work on in counseling, since certain relationships can be complicated for young adults.
It’s important to keep in mind that every one of us encounters mental health struggles, and we all have our reasons for seeking therapy. It’s ultimately up to you to decide who you want to discuss your counseling experience with, and I understand that certain people in your life may have a vested interest in your treatment (or may be paying for your therapy). It’s always your decision about how to navigate these conversations, but therapy can help you bolster your communication for if and when you want to have them.
Get The Clarity You Need To Chart Your Path
Life as a young adult can be challenging, but therapy can help you clarify your goals and sort through your experiences.
To schedule a free, 15-minute consultation or to find out more about my services, please email me, call (201) 431-5170, or reach out via my contact page.