Young Adult Experiences

Life has surely grown more complicated for today’s young adults.  The speedup of today’s technology, overload of information, and often irrational personal expectations create stress.  Futurists tell us that a student these days needs to learn how to adapt to change in the workplace at a level that earlier generations have not faced.

An overload of stress affects students who lack coping strategies; poor coping strategies can lead to substance abuse, faltering relationships, and a lack of purposeful goals.  Programs have risen up to help in the process of becoming adult, with the distinct advantage of a need to agree to switch gears in order to move forward.  

My counselor training was at the university level, dealing with students from 18-25, which these days not surprisingly can extend as up to 30 years of age.  Excellent support programs in college towns can move a student through school, provide work opportunities for pay, or internship/apprenticeship opportunities for training.

In the event of a truly nonfunctional stage of life, outdoor behavioral programs that a young adult helps to select can be far more effective than short hospitalizations or local therapy.  Group process has proven to be more effective than one-to-one therapy in many instances. and being part of a small group of peers who are struggling with the same issues can be powerful. A no-obligation meeting or web-based interview to help explore the future is easy to schedule.  I am a member of the Young Adult Transition Association (YATA) and have access to many resources.