Therapy for College Students & Young Adults

Are You Feeling Lost, Overwhelmed, or Like Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out?

College and early adulthood come with a lot of pressure—and not much support.
Between managing classes, relationships, expectations, and your own mental health, it’s easy to feel like you’re barely holding it together.

Maybe you're:
• Struggling with anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts
• Questioning your identity or sense of direction
• Constantly overthinking or feeling like you're “not enough”
• Dealing with grief, trauma, or difficult family dynamics
• Feeling stuck—like everyone else is moving forward but you can’t

You’re not alone. And therapy can help.

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You Are Not Alone - These Challenges Are More Common Than You Think

Many college students and young adults struggle silently with anxiety, depression, identity confusion, OCD, trauma, and grief. According to the American College Health Association, more than 75% of college students report moderate to severe psychological distress, and nearly half say their emotional challenges impact their academic performance.

Whether you’re questioning your identity, recovering from trauma, dealing with social anxiety, or coping with loss—you’re not the only one. These years are full of pressure to “have it all together” while your brain and body are still figuring things out.

The good news? Therapy provides a space to slow down, breathe, and learn how to move through this stage of life with more clarity, self-compassion, and support.

Therapy Can Help You Feel More Grounded, Confident, and in Control

At Authentic Connections Counseling, we specialize in supporting college students and young adults across Virginia—both in-person and virtually.

We understand that therapy needs to feel relatable and effective. Our therapists are warm, real humans who meet you where you are, without judgment or pressure to “fix” anything overnight.

In therapy, you can:

Learn tools to manage anxiety, overwhelm, and intrusive thoughts
Build confidence and feel more connected to who you are
Heal from grief, loss, trauma, or relationship pain
Work through identity questions or self-esteem struggles
Improve focus and manage ADHD or OCD symptoms
Stop comparing yourself to others and define your own path

You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll help you explore what’s really going on underneath the surface, process your emotions, and create a plan that feels doable and aligned with your goals.

What Sessions Look Like:

Whether you’re brand new to therapy or have been before, we’ll start by getting to know you—your story, your stressors, and what you want help with. From there, we’ll create a personalized plan and move at a pace that feels safe for you.

We often use approaches like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. We also help clients understand how their nervous system and past experiences affect their current patterns—so they can begin to shift them in lasting ways.

Questions You Might Have About Therapy

What if I don’t have time for therapy?

We get it—life is busy. That’s why we offer flexible scheduling and virtual sessions, so you can fit therapy into your week without extra stress. Even one session a week can make a huge difference in how you feel.

What if I’ve tried therapy before and it didn’t help?

Not every therapist is the right fit. But that doesn’t mean therapy can’t work for you. Our team is down-to-earth, relatable, and trained in evidence-based approaches that actually make a difference. We also offer free consultations to help you find the best match.

What if I don’t know what to talk about?

You don’t need to have it all figured out—that’s what we’re here for. Whether you have one specific concern or a swirl of thoughts and emotions, we’ll help you make sense of it and start moving forward.

Start Feeling Better—At Your Own Pace

You don’t have to figure everything out alone. Whether you’re overwhelmed with school, grieving a loss, struggling with anxiety, or just feeling off, we’re here to help.

We offer therapy for college students and young adults across Virginia—virtually and in person.

🧠 Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk with one of our therapists and see if we’re the right fit.

Our holistic approach not only addresses mental health concerns but also incorporates elements of physical and emotional wellness. We believe that fostering overall well-being leads to more profound and lasting changes.

Why Choose Authentic Connections Counseling LLC?

At Authentic Connections Counseling LLC, we understand the unique challenges that come with college and early adulthood. What sets us apart is our holistic, down-to-earth approach and our commitment to creating a safe, supportive space where young adults feel truly seen and heard.

Our diverse team of therapists collaborates with each client to address immediate concerns—like anxiety, self-doubt, or identity struggles—while also building skills that support long-term growth, resilience, and self-trust. Whether you're navigating a tough transition, coping with loss, or just trying to figure out who you are, we're here to help you feel more grounded and empowered.

Take the First Step Towards Support

Ready to feel more like yourself again? We invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore how therapy can support you in this season of life.
Let’s find the right therapist for your needs—so you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Contact Us