Therapy for Young Adults

The National Institutes of Health defines young adulthood as "spanning approximately ages 18 to 26".  Maybe this stage of life feels exciting to you, or difficult, or scary, or confusing.  Or all of this at once.  All of these emotions are valid.

The transition from high school to whatever lies beyond it for you can be challenging.  Suddenly, the whole world is in front of you and there is no set "map" for what is next.  You can choose college, or a career.  You can stay in your home town or move far away.  You have increased opportunities to explore your own identity, make choices about romantic partnerships, and consider whether you'd like to start your own family some day.  Your friends' lives are changing too; some will remain in your life and you'll grow apart from others.  Your relationship with your family is also changing-- both in ways that feel helpful and ways that feel hard or sad.  There are so many new decisions to make, people to meet, places to explore.  

For some young adults, these changes feel exciting.  Others feel overwhelmed and even paralyzed, frozen, by all of these changes at once.  Often, there are a mix of emotions present.

As we adjust to the demands of a new job or a difficult college class, or living away from our families for the first time, we may notice increased stress or big emotions that feel difficult to manage. Times of transition can also stir up past wounds such as memories of difficult or traumatic events or tense relationships with loved ones.  We may find ourselves experiencing increased symptoms of worry, intense sadness, decreased motivation, conflict with other people, or intrusive thoughts and memories that affect our ability to sleep or concentrate.  Some of us may try to cope by using alcohol or other substances, and we may start to wonder if this is really as helpful as we once thought it was.

Young adulthood can be so many things, both wonderful and challenging.  Sometimes, therapy can be a helpful way to sort it all out or heal from difficult events that continue to make daily life difficult.  I enjoy working with young adults as they navigate this unique season of life, and would be honored to walk alongside you in this work.  

If you'd like to chat more about the possibility of working together, please contact me using the information below for a free 15 minute consultation.