Therapy for Young Adults: Why is it so important?
Young adults have an enormous amount of stress and pressure as they move into the next stages of their lives. As a result, they are some of the most at-risk individuals when it comes to mental illness and mental health disorders.
For young adults to thrive in their everyday lives, they must address their feelings and struggles and one of the most efficient ways to do that is through therapy and treatment programs.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of therapy for young adults as well as offer treatment programs individuals can seek out to gain the help they need.
5 Benefits of Therapy for Young Adults
There are many benefits to therapy for young adults which can vary depending on the type of therapy as well as the focus of their treatments. Whether a young adult is dealing with the mental health stigma in college, or they’re an individual navigating the stress of their early twenties, there are countless ways therapy can make everyday life happier and healthier for anyone.
1. It Helps Their Future Career
The transition into adulthood includes many life-changing experiences. One of the most common stressors of this time is focused on future careers. Planning for the future can be overwhelming especially when it comes to searching for a job.
Whether they’re a recent college graduate or they’ve been in the workforce for a few years, trying to create and achieve career goals can make young adults feel stuck or uncertain. While feelings of uncertainty are normal in life, it’s important they learn how to properly cope with these feelings in order to continue to move forward.
One of the benefits of therapy is that it allows young adults a safe place to work through hesitations or anxieties they have about their future.
2. Their Relationships Will Improve
It’s no secret that relationships are complex, and they become more difficult to navigate as people get older. This is true for not only romantic relationships but also familial, professional, and friendships.
While some individuals may have had to navigate many relationships by the time they reach their young adult ages, others may be experiencing how to maneuver serious attachments for the first time.
In either case, learning how to handle all types of relationships can be overwhelming. Therapy allows young adults to address questions, concerns, fears, and anxieties that may come with building new connections in a variety of ways. A therapist can provide guidance without bias and without judgment.
3. They Can Come to Terms With Past Trauma
It’s more common than not that an individual has experienced some level of trauma in the past. Even though some cases may be more severe than others, it’s important for everyone to come to terms with what has happened in their past.
Many times, young adults may not realize they have lived through trauma. This can lead to anxiety, confusion, or other mental health issues. Knowing how to locate trauma and understand possible triggers is imperative for young adults to move forward with their lives. Doing this ensures they can make decisions without the pain of past mistakes or experiences holding them back.
In therapy, a mental health professional will not only be able to help young adults target the source of their trauma, but will also be helpful in aiding individuals to overcome any stressors they may be experiencing.
4. It Can Improve Their Self-Esteem & Confidence
Young adulthood is a big transition for any individual and therefore can take a toll on their self-esteem and confidence. During their transition into adulthood, individuals are faced with many challenges and decisions.
This may cause them to second-guess themselves and their decision-making capabilities. It’s crucial that young adults deal with their insecurities so that they can be confident in the life choices they are making and will continue to make.
A mental health professional has the tools and resources to provide young adults with the proper guidance they need to build their self-esteem and gain confidence in their choices.
5. They Can Address Their Mental Health Issues & Concerns
Mental illness is extremely common, especially in young adults. Many young adults struggle with common mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, among others.
Unfortunately, as common as mental illness is among young adults, most individuals assume what they are feeling is normal and don’t seek the help they need. Taking part in therapy allows young adults to be properly diagnosed.
Once they know what they’re struggling with, they can address their mental illness and the way it affects their lives. Learning that they are more than their diagnosis and finding ways to cope with their feelings is imperative for young adults to live happy, healthy, and fulfilling lives.
Help for Young Adults with Mental Health Issues
There are many different routes young adults can take when considering which therapy is the best fit for them. Choosing the right therapy for young adults may depend on what it is they are specifically struggling with.
Young Adults and members of the LGBTQIA+ community experience varied mental health concerns which may include depression, anxiety, and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. Below, we’ve listed the three main programs Malvern Behavioral Health offers young adults, and in some cases, adults of all ages.
The Lotus Program
The Lotus Program is a unique program for young adults only— ages 18 to 26—who are struggling with a variety of mental health disorders. For example, a young adult struggling only with anxiety disorder, or an individual struggling with multiple disorders such as depression and bipolar.
This program focuses on key stressors that impact young adults. Once their stressors are addressed we provide individualized treatment programs. Through these programs, we are able to work with each person to develop proper support, skills, and education so they can be successful in their everyday life.
The Wisteria Program
The Wisteria Program is offered to adults of all ages in the LGBTQ+ community. This treatment focuses on those within the LGBTQ+ community who are dealing with mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other unhealthy behaviors.
This inpatient psychiatric program, for the LGBTQ+ community, uses evidence-based treatment modalities. Some of the treatments may consist of exploration of gender identities, gender dysorphia, and social transition.
In addition, we will focus on discrimination, victimization, and a lack of affirming and supportive environments. The goal of The Wisteria Program is to provide a safe and accepting place for all individuals.
The Sage Program
The Sage Program is a co-occurring disorder treatment program, however, instead of only being offered to young adults between the ages of 18 to 26, this program is offered to adults 18 years of age and older.
A co-occurring disorder is defined as an individual who is struggling with a mental health disorder in addition to a substance use disorder. Similar to mental health issues, addiction and substance use is also very common among young adults and adults.
This program provides a secure and supportive inpatient behavioral health environment for adults to carefully detox while also being given psychiatric care. There will be approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relapse Prevention, and Psychoeducation.
