Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

What is Impostor Syndrome? Impostor syndrome describes the feeling that you are an impostor despite evidence to the contrary. For example, you may believe that you’re inadequate or a fraud, and tend to negatively compare yourself to others whom you perceive to be smarter and more successful. Impostor syndrome can happen in many areas of life, but is especially distressing and prevalent in the workplace. Those who experience impostor syndrome at work report having thoughts such as: “I’m just not as smart or accomplished as everyone else. They were foolish to hire me.” “How long is this going to last before people realize I don’t know what I’m doing?” “Maybe if I just take on more hours, more projects, more training, etc., I will start to feel better.” Many who struggle with impostor syndrome have a tendency to focus on their perceived flaws or limitations instead of assets and accomplishments. They often have perfectionist tendencies (setting very high expectations with little-t...

Are you pregnant and feeling more anxious than normal? Do you and your partner find yourselves feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, down, and irritable after the birth of your baby? Is your struggle with infertility taking over your life and your finances? Do you blame yourself? Do you blame your partner? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone. And we are here to help. Maternal and paternal mental health is important for you, for your relationship, and for your baby. One of the best ways to cope with these feelings is to talk about the ups and downs of trying to get pregnant and giving birth to a baby. QLC provides mental health support for women and families trying to navigate fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum life. Adding a baby to your family is a huge life transition that introduces new challenges and new joys. At QLC, we understand how stressful it can be preparing for the birth of your baby and adjusting to life after your baby is born. Perinat...

Are you thinking about starting therapy? Not sure how to choose the right therapist? You may have questions about what it’s all about. People often want to know what therapy is really like and what to expect. In this post, we share  12 common questions  that we receive at QLC.  The following information will simplify the process of finding the right therapist for you.  If you have additional questions, please contact us at  QLC . 1. Why go to therapy when I can just get advice from friends and family? Leaning on friends and family certainly can be helpful. That said, therapists are professionally trained to help you explore and discuss your difficulties and develop solutions to your particular problems. They have expertise in helping you express and evaluate your feelings, focusing entirely on you without bringing their own needs into the mix. Psychotherapy is a treatment process that is often very useful in helping people cope with their problems. M...

Grieving the death of someone close to us  poses unique challenges during young adulthood and the quarter-life period .  This group, led by Quarterlife Center therapist,  Joanna Strait, LCSW-C ,  focuses on providing a safe space for emotional exploration, structured support, and grief education following loss. Each group is 6 weeks in duration, and it is asked that participants attend a minimum of 4 of these sessions. This support group can help you: Receive structured support from an experienced grief counselor. Learn about the grief process. Explore your thoughts and feelings in a safe space. Connect with other quarterlifers who are grieving. Details:  This support group includes 6 sessions. Each session is 1 hour & 15 minutes in length. Location:  5530 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 20815 Time/Date:  TBD by availability of participants. If you are interested in learning more about the group, please  contact us .

Are you feeling stressed out? Here are 4 tips for reducing your stress: 1) Nurture yourself. Do whatever it is that nurtures you. Take a walk. Call a friend. Read a book. Journal. Meditate. Cook your favorite meal. Get a massage. Take a nap. Watch a movie. Make time to do whatever it is that helps you unwind and relax. 2) Practice gratitude. Start a gratitude journal. Try it for 1 week and see how it feels. For 1 week, write down 3 things each day that you are grateful for. Examples are “I feel happy about my new shoes,” “I am thankful for my supportive brother,” and “I’m grateful that I’m in good health.” 3) Reach out to friends. You don’t have to (and you shouldn’t) manage your stress alone. Research has found that social support is an important factor in reducing stress and improving physical and mental health. The number of friends you have is less important than the quality of your friendships. In other words, regardless of the number of friends you have or how oft...

As Valentine’s Day approaches, you may find yourself having some negative feelings, especially if your relationship is having difficulties. Dr. Christine Greer O’Connor, Founder of the Quarterlife Center, shares 4 tips for how to manage your negative feelings and your relationship. If you’d like more information or you’re interested in scheduling an appointment, please  contact us .

Whether you’re single or coupled on Valentine’s Day, make sure to show yourself a little love throughout the day. As therapists, we encourage our clients to value self-love and self-care. When we love and take care of ourselves, we are able to show up in our relationships and work in the best ways. Here are 3 ideas to show yourself some love this Valentine’s Day. 1. Start the day right. Wake up 5 minutes earlier than normal and listen to a short guided meditation.  Insight Timer   and  Headspace   are good apps for this. Set an intention for your day (i.e. “Today, I will pamper myself.”) After the meditation, enjoy your favorite breakfast. 2.   Give yourself a treat during the day. If you like chocolate, buy yourself a couple of pieces (or a box!). If spending time outdoors is your thing, take a walk or eat lunch in a park. If time permits, schedule a massage for your lunch break. Or send yourself flowers (and remember to write a kind note to YOU). 3. ...