Does Everyday Feel Like a Struggle?
Are you worried about your prospects for the future? Do you feel nervous or confused about your identity? Perhaps you are juggling the responsibilities of a job and school and can’t seem to get the balance right. Or, maybe you tend to overcommit or place the needs of others before your own; this may leave you feeling drained, frustrated and alone. Do negative, rapid and sometimes illogical thoughts influence your ability to feel confident? Do you wish you could define a clear path in life and develop effective ways to pursue your goals?
The transition from high school to being on your own can be an isolating and overwhelming experience. You may be struggling to choose which classes to take or which career path to pursue. When you seek the guidance of your friends, family or coworkers, you may disagree with them and end up feeling even more confused. Increased levels of stress may be interrupting your sleep, mood and appetite, making it increasingly difficult to concentrate and stay on task. You may also have lost interest in activities that once brought you joy and feel disconnected from your friends. Regardless of the specifics, right now you may feel like you’re going through an identity crisis and find yourself struggling to feel grounded, confident and in control.
Many Young Adults Struggle With the Transition Into Adulthood
It’s very common for young adults to experience turbulence during the early stages of their academic or professional careers. Now more than ever, with the rocky state of economic and social affairs in this country, many young adults find it difficult to be financially independent. If you’re out on your own for the first time, starting college or a professional job, your new routine may not feel comfortable. When you don’t have a firm grasp on your own limits, it’s easy to take on too much or become paralyzed by the possibility of failure. If you’re in a relationship, you may have difficulty supporting both you and your partner’s emotional needs, or perhaps you are no longer in a relationship and feel empty and alone. If you’re still at home with your parents, you may fight about finances, responsibilities and socializing too often or too little. Or, you may be in an entry-level position that isn’t fulfilling your passion or purpose. At the end of a long day, you may get on social media sites. And, when you see the accomplishments of your peers posted online, you may feel inadequate or ill equipped to find success and happiness.
The good news is that it’s not uncommon to struggle during this significant life transition, and if you’re struggling to identify where you fit and/or experiencing low self-esteem, sadness, stress or frustration, help is available. Therapy for young adults can help you navigate stressors with more ease and discover your life’s purpose.
Young Adult Counseling Can Help You Realize Your Potential
If you’re feeling stuck stressed or sad, therapy can help you pave a clear path and move forward. Counseling for young adults can help you identify what you want in life and create an effective and manageable plan to help you achieve your goals. In a safe, compassionate environment outside of the stress of everyday life, you can openly express your concerns and desires and establish and foster an agenda that’s separate from the expectations of your friends, coworkers and family. With the guidance of an experienced therapist, you can better understand how to create and foster healthy boundaries both at home and at work. As you become more aware of your limits, goals and needs, you’ll start to feel stronger and more confident in your ability to make decisions and pursue your passions.
During sessions with me, you can expect the opportunity to explore and express yourself freely. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I can provide you with relaxation techniques that you can use both in the office and in daily life when feelings of stress or anxiety heighten. We will also practice communication skills that can help you feel understood, heard and valued. As you learn to be confident about expressing your needs while still respecting the important people around you, the bond in your relationships and quality of life will begin to improve. You’ll also be more equipped to identify obstacles and find solutions moving forward.
Our work together will essentially focus on your unique situation, personality and goals. In an empathic environment, you can think critically about, discover and begin to actively pursue your life’s purpose. I have over 30 years of experience assisting young adults who are feeling stuck. With support and guidance, you can build self-confidence, learn how to make tough decisions and move forward with confidence.
Although you’re really struggling right now, you may still have questions or concerns about young adult counseling…
Does going to therapy mean that I’m inadequate?
It’s common for young adults to confuse seeking out help with weakness. In addition, I understand there’s still some stigma surrounding the mental health community. However, many young adults find that speaking with a counselor is a lot different than talking to a professor, parent, coworker or friend. I am not here to judge or tell you how to live your life. I’m simply here to help you identify your strengths and build upon them.
Anxiety and depression in young adults often does not go away with age. Seeking intervention now, before your symptoms worsen, can help you develop healthy coping and stress management skills that you can use as schoolwork and external stressors become more intense. With guidance, you can develop and execute a plan tailored to fostering your talents and desires so that you can move forward.
Shouldn’t I be able to figure this out on my own?
If you have been struggling for a while and cannot seem to resolve your conflict, speaking with an objective, third-party professional can help you clarify and resolve the issue. And, not knowing how to fix something doesn’t mean anything’s wrong with you. If you were an athlete and tore your ACL, would you push through the injury and continue to compete? Of course you wouldn’t. You would contact a competent physician and begin the healing process. Therapy is no different. If something has been bothering you for a while, therapy can provide you with the tools to alleviate uncomfortable physical sensations and provide the resources you need to move forward.
Therapy is for people with serious problems.
People seek therapy for a variety of reasons. You don’t need to have a chronic, serious issue to seek out help. Think of our initial session together similarly to your annual check-up at the doctor. Your yearly appointment at the doctor allows you to discuss any pain, illnesses or physical problems that you’ve been experiencing, and to discover if your symptoms are part of a larger issue. If they’re not, that’s great. But if they are, it’s best to address the problem before it gets any worse.
Feel More Confident Moving Forward
If you’re interested in young adult counseling in Bettendorf, IA, please call (563) 213-5100 for a free 30-minute phone consultation. I am happy to discuss any questions you have about my practice or how therapy can address your needs.
