I graduated and I’m entering the work world.

First of all, congratulations on your achievement! Your hard work has resulted in a degree that you will have for the rest of your life. There is a lot of talk about the “mid life crisis”, but what about the quarter life crisis? One of the biggest changes you’ll experience in life is the transition from student to full time working professional. This is a complete change in identity, and you now have a different answer to the common question, “So, what do you do?” For many of us, “student” has been our identity since the age of 5. What does this mean to have this new label? To be working hard for a paycheck instead of a grade? This transition usually requires you to learn a lot of new things, especially since the working world does not provide the same kind of structure and support of a college campus. It may be harder to socialize or spend your time the way you want to. You may be wondering if this is what “adulting” feels like. This is a great time to go to therapy as you are now navigating who you really are and what kind of adult you want to be. We can work on career planning, your value systems, and what healthy relationships and boundaries look like in the workplace and beyond.

I moved, and I’m having trouble adjusting.

Let me add a little personal anecdote. As someone who has moved in and out of different countries, cities, and states, I have experienced the exhaustion that accompanies setting up a new life in an unfamiliar place. A move not only entails a long logistical to-do list, but requires you to familiarize yourself with several new environments-your apartment, your neighborhood, or possibly a new roommate. If this is an international move, then you also have an entire new culture and possibly new language to adapt to. This could also mean an adjustment for your entire family, where you feel obligated to hide your feelings for the sake of making the adjustment easier for you children or partner. While there’s some truth to “it takes time”, it’s not very helpful to hear. Know that you don’t have to wait around to feel better. We will work together on processing the feelings of loss you may have, and finding ways to build and even love your new life. This might entail mini assignments of reaching out to new people or exploring a new area in your neighborhood.

I’ve experienced loss.

A loss can mean a break up, loss of a friendship, or the death of a loved one. This loss can be very painful, where you find yourself unexpectedly crying, experiencing physical pains, or an overwhelming feeling of sadness throughout the day. You may find it hard to think clearly, and feel detached from your surroundings. Activities of daily living can become a struggle, where you lose your appetite and ability to sleep through the night. There are many ways to grieve, and I will help you feel safe and supported through this process. We can talk about your favorite memories from before the loss, and make sure that you are taking care of yourself. You can both give homage to what you lost while also embracing a new life.