Therapy for Young Adults

If you are a Young Adult and you are struggling, you are not alone. This phase of life can feel very overwhelming because there are many major life changes happening at once. People are making big decisions during this time in their lives. Young adults (ages 18-30) are gaining independence, new freedoms, new responsibilities, changing relationships, and new roles. But, there is also a lot of uncertainty at this time of life, and working with a therapist who specializes in helping Young Adults can be a valuable tool to help you sort it all out.

During this phase of life, you may find your relationships with family members are redefined, serious romantic relationships may be forming or ending, new friendships may be forming, and old friendships may be changing. Young adulthood is a time when some individuals are having their first work experiences. You may also be possibly living on your own for the first time, going to college, or starting a family.

Some young adults may even be feeling unprepared to deal with these challenges, so they are avoiding changes as much as possible. It can be very hurtful to watch as people you grew up with meet milestones that you cannot imagine for yourself. There is a wide range of experiences that are normal, despite what you see on social media. If you are feeling stuck, therapy for Young Adults can help.

Young Adults today are facing some extra challenges in addition to the usual stressors because of the volatility and uncertainty our society has experienced in the past few years. It is a tough time to be a young adult. 

All of our therapists at Shift Counseling have training and experience to help Young Adults navigate these challenges effectively.

What are signs that a Young Adult may need counseling?

We are hearing from our young adult clients that they are feeling stressed, confused, lonely, and tired. Others are feeling insecure, or poorly equipped to handle the challenges of adult life. If you are experiencing panic attacks, hopelessness, irritability, headaches, muscle tension, gut issues, difficulty with sleeping, substance misuse, or burnout, seeing a Young Adult counselor can help.

Why are so many Young Adults struggling right now?

While things like disease, war, economic issues, and political issues have always been part of the human experience, right now does feel especially fraught. Inflation, economic insecurity, and political chaos have become distractions and barriers for Young Adults who are trying to make a life for themselves. Many Young Adults seeking therapy are wondering “what is it all for?” Many are voicing feelings of uncertainty, hopelessness, anger, and frustration.

There is a valid sense amongst Young Adults that they are not being afforded the same opportunities as previous generations. Many Young Adults are not happy with their jobs, their living situations, or their relationships. Some Young Adults desperately want a traditional life (work, home, marriage, family) but feel it is out of reach no matter how hard they try. Other Young Adults are wondering if these things really matter, or if they even want to follow the old traditions.

How can therapy help?

Our Young Adult therapists at Shift Counseling, PC use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help with depression and anxiety. We will help you learn to focus on what is in your control and what is not, so you feel less overwhelmed. We will help you improve your connections with others and develop better coping skills. We can also help you clarify your values and identity to help you find the path that is right for you. If you have experienced your own trauma, or are looking to heal from generational trauma, our trauma informed therapists can help with this work.

Counseling can help with work stress experienced by Young Adults

Young adults are often getting their first jobs, which are likely entry-level positions. These jobs are often low paying and low in status, which can be very frustrating for Young Adults. Young Adults are also having to navigate relationships with co-workers and bosses for the first time.

Therapists can help Young Adults recognize the lessons of challenging entry-level positions, and use what they have learned to gain a sense of direction for the future. Therapists can also help Young Adults learn about how to navigate boundaries in professional relationships, how to set reasonable expectations for themselves, how to advocate for themselves in the workplace, and how to achieve work/life balance. (see more about this topic in our blog post below)

Seeking higher education can also be a source of stress

Those Young Adults who go to college or grad school may also face a major life transition that can cause depression or anxiety. For many students, this is their first time living outside of the home, so figuring out time management, finding healthy sleep and meal routines, and learning about stress management are keys to success. Our Young Adult counselors understand that needing support with these challenges is normal, and can help you build skills for independence.

Dealing with roommates, and professors, and making big decisions such as choosing a major can be stressful. Managing peer pressure is also a major issue for many college students. Young adult counselors can help college students by helping them find balance, learning to dismantle perfectionism, improving self-care, and setting achievable goals 

What are other issues that therapists can help Young Adults address?

Many Young Adults may be experimenting with substances as a way to fit in, connect to peers, or self-medicate to cope with the pressures they are facing. Therapists can provide an objective space to talk openly about substance use and to explore patterns, and assess risks and consequences. Therapists can help Young Adults find ways to cope with the symptoms that may be causing the substance misuse, find other ways of connecting to peers, and set healthy goals for themselves. 

Unprocessed trauma may also start to come up during this phase of life, and Young Adults may feel unprepared to start dealing with this trauma. Therapists can help Young Adults develop a relationship where they can start talking about difficult subjects without getting overwhelmed. Therapists can help young adults learn to talk to others about their experiences and how, when, and with whom to be vulnerable.

Social issues and the impact of social media can be very overwhelming for Young Adults.

Peer pressure and comparing themselves to others on social media may leave Young Adults feeling that they are not good enough. Young Adults are also being exposed to a lot of vicarious trauma on social media. We are living in challenging times and Young Adults may be feeling distraught, hopeless, or even paralyzed. Therapists can help Young Adults process their feelings, make sense of it all, recognize what they are in control of and what they are not in control of, and find a way to move forward even when the future is uncertain.

Young Adults may also be dealing with generational trauma and the impacts of racism. 

Young Adults from diverse backgrounds may have been “othered” or experienced hateful behavior that can leave them feeling inferior, afraid, and angry. Growing up with parents who suffered from racism or intergenerational trauma may have internalized negative messages about themselves and may have unintentionally passed these messages on to their children. Our Young Adult therapists are from diverse backgrounds, are trained in cultural sensitivity, and are open to talking about these kinds of issues.

Talking to a therapist and unpacking generational trauma can help young adults learn to challenge the inner critic that they may have inherited from their parents. Therapists can help Young Adults overcome experiences of stigma, persecution, fear, anger, feeling “less than”, hopelessness, or perfectionism/compulsive achievement. Counseling for Young Adults can help you overcome barriers and learn to thrive despite adversity.

Common questions regarding Young Adult counseling:

How much does Young Adult counseling cost? Does my insurance cover it?

The vast majority of insurance plans cover individual counseling for mental health conditions. If you are age 26 or under, you may still be covered by your parent’s plan. Shift Counseling, PC is in network with BCBS PPO, Blue Choice PPO, MyBlue Plus, Aetna non-HMO plans, and Cigna non-HMO plans. Don’t be afraid to ask questions… we understand that insurance is confusing and we are happy to help.

Sometimes counseling is covered with a co-pay, and sometimes you have to meet your deductible before your insurance will start paying towards your sessions. If you reach out to us, we will check your insurance before your first appointment and answer your questions about insurance to the best of our ability. If we are not covered by your plan, we will help you figure out how to find a covered provider.

I work 9-5. Do your Young Adult therapists have evening or weekend hours?

Yes! While the evening and weekend appointments get booked quickly, all of our counselors set aside some time in their schedule to accommodate people who have day jobs. The easiest way to find out if we have the availability you need is to click the button above that says “View our schedule and request an appointment.” From there, if you see that a counselor you like has availability, you can go ahead and request the appointment.

Why are the therapists at Shift Counseling, PC so passionate about working with Young Adults?

Several of our counselors are Young Adults themselves, so they are in a special position to understand the challenges of this group. Even our older counselors have experience working with Young Adults. We believe it is important to use our positions to mentor and support younger people. We want to see Young Adults thriving, despite our current societal challenges.