Therapy For Young Adults in Westport, CT
If you're here looking for help for your young adult, I welcome you. One of the first things I tell parents when we speak is that if you're looking for help in the first place, it's likely you're not as much a part of their problems as you think you are.
These years involve tremendous growth and change. Relationships can be built and dissolved in a day. Emotional, physical, and hormonal transformations put real pressure on mood and behavior. And the biggest challenge is that most young adults haven't yet developed the self-awareness or vocabulary to fully express what they're going through. That's often where communication, trust, and respect can break down.
It's also important to acknowledge where young adults are right now. They were raised in the aftermath of a series of once-in-a-generation disruptions, both at home and abroad. As parents, it can be hard to really reckon with why some of our children have experienced isolation, stunted growth, and reduced opportunity. It's at these critical points that we can begin the journey of exploring their resilience.
There is an inherent sense of perseverance and resilience in young adults. My work with them encourages their ability to find their own way of engaging their challenges, using self-awareness and personal strength. With the right support, they can develop a well-designed sense of self that is self-caring, self-respecting, and motivated to write the rest of their story.
What to Expect
Working with young adults looks different depending on the person. Some come in knowing exactly what's bothering them. Others aren't sure — they just know something feels off. Both are fine starting points.
Sessions are 50 minutes. For young adult clients especially, I find that a weekly cadence works well early on, with frequency adjusting as the work develops. Parents are occasionally involved at the edges — a check-in, a shared goal-setting conversation — but the therapeutic relationship is with the young adult. What happens in sessions stays between us.
Common Questions
My kid doesn't want to come. Should I push it?
That ambivalence is normal and doesn't predict how therapy will go. A lot of the young adults I work with weren't sure about it at first. It's worth a conversation before writing it off.
Will you tell me what my child is saying in sessions?
Confidentiality applies to young adults the same way it does to adults, with standard exceptions for safety. Part of what makes therapy work for this age group is that they can speak freely.
How long does this typically take?
It depends on what's going on and how long it's been building. Some young adults do focused short-term work. Others benefit from longer support through a particular transition. We'll talk about goals early and revisit them as we go.
Do you work with parents separately?
Occasionally, when it's agreed by all parties that it makes sense. The primary work is with the young adult, but I'm not rigid about it if a parent session would serve the process.