There is a time between ages 18 and 29 when you’re not quite a teenager anymore, but you might also not feel like a grown adult. This is called the emerging adult phase, and while this time can be full of excitement, it can also be pretty challenging.
There are big changes you go through. You finish school, get your first real job, or move out and live on your own for the first time. You’re making big decisions for the future, figuring out your relationships, and beginning to really understand yourself as a person.
All these changes can make your head spin. That’s why it’s important to get mental health support –having someone to talk to who understands what you’re going through.
If you’re in Denver, you’re in luck because the city has a lot of great options for mental health support, especially for people going through this phase. There’s counselors who specialize in working with young adults, support groups where you can meet others going through similar experiences, and even online options if that feels more comfortable for you.
And emerging adult counseling Denver, CO, isn’t just for young adults with serious mental health problems. They’re for anyone who needs a little extra support after dealing with so many changes and challenges.
Up next, we’ll discuss the ways that these counseling services can help you thrive in this new stage of life.
Safe Space
Counseling gives you a safe space where you can freely discuss your thoughts and feelings without any worry about being judged. You don’t have to put on a brave face or worry about upsetting anyone. You can just be yourself – your real, authentic self.
You could be dealing with many transitions at once, but as long as you have that one place where you can be emotionally safe to talk about anything, sometimes that’s enough to give you the confidence to face these challenges head-on.
Stress Management
Life throws a lot at you during these years, and sometimes, it can get really overwhelming. The great thing about counseling is that you can learn new and effective ways to cope with stress and anxiety. Your counselor might teach you deep breathing techniques, ways to challenge negative thoughts, or methods to break down big problems into smaller, more manageable steps.
These are skills that you can use for the rest of your life. And once you have these mastered, you’ll be better equipped to deal with whatever challenge comes your way.
Making Big Decisions
Counseling can also be incredibly helpful when making big life decisions. Should you go to grad school or take that amazing job offer? How do you navigate the dating world in these in-between stages? These things can keep you up at night. However, a counselor will help you through these decisions, not by telling you what to do but by helping you understand what you really want and what’s important to you.
They might ask questions you haven’t considered before or help you see patterns in your thinking that you hadn’t noticed. You may realize that what you thought you wanted isn’t actually aligned with your core values. The goal isn’t for the counselor to make the decision for you. Instead, they’re there to help you clarify your thoughts and understand your motivations so you can be more confident in your decisions.
Better Self-Awareness
As you talk through your experiences and feelings with your counselor, you start to notice patterns in your thoughts and behaviors. You might start to understand why certain situations make you feel anxious or why you react strongly to specific types of comments. This is called self-awareness and it’s a quality that can be truly life-changing.
This self-understanding can help you accept and embrace your identity, which is very important during these years when you’re still trying to figure out who you are. Once you understand why you think and feel the way you do, it becomes easier to make positive changes.
Healthier Relationships
In this stage of life, you’re often dealing with all sorts of relationships –dating, new friendships, and relating with your family as an adult. A counselor can help by teaching you valuable skills that help promote healthy relationships. They can teach you how to express your feelings clearly, listen actively to others, and handle conflicts in a healthy way. You’ll also learn how to set boundaries with the people in your life and recognize what you want and don’t want in relationships. Once you have these skills, you’ll find it easier to connect with others and avoid misunderstandings.
Closing Words
Getting counseling doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you. If anything, it’s a proactive step towards taking care of your mental health and personal well-being. Just like you might go to the gym, eat a healthy diet, or use IV therapy to keep your physical body healthy, counseling is a way to keep your mind and emotions in check.
Keep an eye out for counseling options in Denver, particularly those tailored to young adults like you. Remember, you don’t have to have it all figured out on your own. With the right support, you can overcome whatever challenges come and truly thrive during these important years of your life.
