In the past, psychologists believed young adulthood occurred during the ages of 25-40. In modern times, young adulthood starts at age 18 and ends at age 25.
Young adulthood is a period of many rapid changes. Some of these include physical, sexual, cognitive, and emotional changes. This period also includes many new adult roles and responsibilities.
The American Psychological Association finds that young adulthood is an age of:
Identity exploration
Instability
Self-focus
Feeling of 'in between'
Possibilities
During this period, young adults explore who they are, what they believe or value, and what career they want. These aren't small decisions. This all takes place during both a time of instability and great hopefulness in a future with many possibilities.
Many young adults start a new career or graduate school. During this age, young adults also form long term romantic relationships. They are also expected to move toward financial independence.
In the midst of all these changes, young adults sometimes get stuck or lost. It’s easy to fall into depression or struggle with anxiety.
Counseling for young adults is sometimes necessary for young adults who can’t figure out a way forward on their own. Therapy for young adults can be an effective means of helping young adults cope. Young adult therapy can help you wrestle with the following questions:
1. What is Preventing Me from Leaving Home?
Young adults often start therapy because they don’t know how to leave home. Many feel bad about this because their friends have figured out how to be independent.
This comparison between your life and that of your friends can bring about feelings of depression, anxiety, panic, and other emotional blocks. A young adult therapist can help you address the fears, anxieties, and other blocks causing you to feel stuck.
Young adults may also need help becoming more assertive with their parents. To move out of the house, you may need to address unhealthy boundaries.
2. Is it All Right to Have Beliefs That are Different from Those of My Parents?
This comes up a lot. This also tends to be a tricky thing for a young adult to navigate with their parents.
A young adult grows up in a religious home and now their beliefs have changed. Or the values can also change along political lines. You may now differ from your parents value system politically. It can be difficult to admit some of these changes to yourself and your parents.
Changes in religious or political beliefs may result in judgement or exclusion from community. These are costly consequences.
A young adult therapist does not and will not impose their beliefs or values on the client. That is not their role.
They may encourage honest exploration of one’s authentic beliefs (and doubts). Exploration and honesty around your beliefs and values can result in confidence to move forward.
3. What are My Fears/Anxieties About Independence?
Young adults in therapy explore their fears/anxieties about independence. Many report not feeling ready for adult life.
Others struggle with an imposter syndrome. They do not feel qualified for work or graduate school. They fear that someone is going to see them for the 'fraud' they are.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be an effective method for addressing these fears/anxieties. CBT is an approach to these struggles that has shown to be effective and is supported by research.
Young adults need help seeing how their fears are irrational and exaggerated. Therapy can help them develop more realistic beliefs about themselves and their future.
4. How Well Do I Know Myself?
Socrates said, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Young adult therapy is a process that encourages self-reflection.
Therapy does not prescribe what you should be doing. Therapy helps you discover who you are at your core.
Once you know who you are, you’ll know what to do. Therapy helps young adults experience self-discovery and self-acceptance.
5. What Are My Values?
Young adults struggle with whether their values are their own or their parents. Therapy can be a process of refining your true values.
Some clients discover their parent’s values are no longer their own. Some continue to embrace their parent’s values. The important thing is that the client chooses them as their own.
Values are different than preferences. Preferences are momentary decisions. You may prefer coffee to tea in the mornings.
Values are long term principles that guide your life. You value religion or free speech. You value family or hard work. Values are a compass that help you make decisions and move forward in life.
Begin Therapy for Young Adults at Katy Teen & Family Counseling: Serving Young Adults in Katy, Tx
At our Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen and Family Counseling, our young adult counselors can help. The transition and life phase a young adult is in can be challenging. We can help you overcome those challenges and help you continue down the path of happy destiny.
If you are ready to start your healing journey at Katy Teen & Family Counseling, all you need to do is follow these three simple steps:
Contact Katy Teen & Family Counseling
Speak with one of our young adult therapists
Let us help you remove the barriers in your life to help you succeed as a young adult
Other Therapy and Counseling Services Offered at Katy Teen & Family Counseling: Serving Katy, Tx & The Houston Area
At Katy Teen & Family Counseling, our young adult counselors can help. You don't need to struggle any longer. We have helped others like you seeking a happy, bright, and successful future realize that future.
At the Katy, Tx location of Katy Teen & Family Counseling, we also provide other teen therapy, young adult counseling, and family counseling services.
Below are a few of the other counseling services we provide for teens, families, and young adults in Katy, Tx and Houston:
Neurofeedback Therapy
Peak performance (optimal academic brain performance)
Peak performance (optimal athletic brain performance)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR Therapy)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
About the Author
Quique Autrey is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and family therapist. He is a seasoned young adult therapist who has helped many overcome their struggles.
He also is a family systems therapist. He views each individual through that lens and provides therapy for the family system which includes: teen therapy, young adult counseling, family counseling, marriage counseling & couples therapy.
Quique has helped those who experience depression, anxiety, panic attacks, ADHD/ADD, and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
Quique also has a passion for helping teens, young adults, and adults who may be on the Autism Spectrum. He has a talent for connecting with and helping people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
If you're ready to start your healing journey in marriage counseling or couples therapy, you can call us at 346-202-4662 or email us at info@katyteenandfamilycounseling.com.
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