Young Adult Issues

Treatment Approaches

1. Youth-Friendly Counseling: It’s crucial that therapy for young adults feels relatable and respectful of their unique challenges. Our providers are trained to connect with younger clients in a non-judgmental way. In sessions (via secure video or in-person), we encourage you to voice whatever is on your mind – school pressure, relationship drama, identity questions, or family conflicts. We often use a mix of approaches: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to tackle negative thought patterns and build healthier behaviors, and elements of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) or mindfulness to help with emotional regulation if mood swings or impulsivity are issues. For example, a young adult with intense emotions might learn DBT skills like distress tolerance (safe coping in the moment) or mindfulness techniques to stay present. We also incorporate practical coaching, like study skills or time management for academic issues, if needed. Teletherapy can be a game-changer for young adults – it’s flexible around class/work schedules and can be done from the privacy of your dorm or apartment, which often lowers the barrier to entry for getting help.

2. Family Involvement (if appropriate): Depending on your situation, involving family members or significant others can be beneficial. Many young adults are navigating independence from their parents, which can strain those relationships. Family therapy sessions (even just a few) might help improve communication – for instance, helping parents understand depression isn’t “laziness,” or helping you assert boundaries with family in a healthy way. On the other hand, if family conflict isn’t a major factor or you’re living far from home, therapy can focus solely on you. But we’ll ensure you have a support network: if you feel isolated, a therapist might encourage and guide you to build connections, perhaps by joining clubs or support groups (we might say, “How about we brainstorm ways for you to meet people who share your interests?”). For issues like substance use or eating disorders that often involve family dynamics, a family-inclusive approach can improve outcomes. Through telehealth, we can even loop in a parent or family member from another city for a session if you consent – technology makes it easier to get everyone on the same page to support you.

3. Skills for Independence: Part of transitioning to adulthood is learning life skills that keep you mentally healthy. Therapy often includes a bit of life coaching. We can work on things like structuring your day (helping you create routines to manage school/work and self-care), budgeting and managing finances stress (financial strain is huge for young adults, so learning to plan can reduce anxiety), and conflict resolution skills for roommates or dating relationships. If you have ADHD or just find organization hard, we’ll teach strategies to manage time and tasks so you feel less overwhelmed. For social anxiety or shyness, therapy might set small goals like initiating one conversation a day and gradually expanding your comfort zone. Essentially, we help you practice the “adulting” skills that schools often don’t – everything from scheduling doctor appointments to cooking basic healthy meals – because being overwhelmed by these responsibilities can underlie a lot of young adult stress. Mastering these practical skills builds confidence, which in turn boosts mental health. You’ll feel more capable handling life on your own, which eases the anxiety of independence.

4. Medication and Holistic Health: If therapy and lifestyle adjustments aren’t fully addressing your needs, we may discuss medication. Many mental health conditions manifest in young adulthood – for example, it’s not uncommon to start an antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication in your late teens or twenties if depression or panic attacks become significant. Our psychiatric providers will do a careful evaluation of your symptoms, history, and preferences. For instance, if you have major depression that’s making it hard to get out of bed or go to class, an antidepressant can be a useful tool to help you function while therapy does its work. Or if you have ADHD affecting your studies, a stimulant or non-stimulant ADHD medication might be appropriate alongside behavioral strategies. We always weigh the pros and cons and monitor closely – young adults may be more sensitive to side effects or have concerns about medications, and we take those seriously. Additionally, we emphasize holistic health: we’ll talk about sleep hygiene, exercise, and nutrition because these have a huge impact on mood and energy at any age (e.g., lack of sleep or poor diet can mimic or worsen depression/anxiety). We might encourage moderate exercise or joining a physical activity group for both mood benefits and social connection. If substance use has crept in, we’ll address that too – possibly involving substance-specific counseling or programs, since self-medication is common but ultimately harmful. Through telehealth check-ins, we can keep tabs on how all these pieces are coming together. The goal is to create a balanced plan: maybe you’re on a low-dose SSRI for anxiety, seeing a therapist biweekly to learn coping skills, attending a young adult support group on campus, and you’ve started doing yoga or hitting the gym. That kind of comprehensive approach helps you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. Over time, as you grow into your confidence and stability, some supports (like medication) might be tapered off, while others (like exercise and coping skills) become lifelong tools you carry into full adulthood. Our aim is to help you not only get through the challenges of your twenties, but to equip you with mental wellness habits that set the stage for a healthy life ahead.