Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

  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. Meetin...

  If you’re new to therapy, you probably have some questions about how it works. One of the  most common questions   we get at  QLC   is “what should I talk about in therapy?”  Here are 5 helpful ideas to get you started. 1. Talk about how you decided to begin therapy. Did something happen recently that led you to seek counseling? What have you been struggling with? Have you been thinking about doing this for a long time? Did a friend or family member encourage you to begin therapy?) 2. Share your feelings about beginning therapy. Are you excited, nervous, ambivalent, angry, distracted? How does your body feel? Are you thirsty, hungry, tense? 3. Share how you feel now that you’ve arrived to your counseling session. Were you stressed out trying to find the office? Did you arrive on time? Where you rushed? Is the appointment how you thought it would be? Are you feeling more nervous or less nervous now that you’re there? Are you physically comfortable in the o...

While both  premarital counseling   and  couples counseling   help couples connect and communicate, they differ in their structure, style, and goals. During the course of therapy, the two might look identical in a specific moment, but the overall course of each type of counseling looks very different. Premarital Counseling Premarital counseling   is ideal for couples who are planning to be married or who have decided to make a lifelong commitment to each other.  At  QLC ,  this  type of counseling is short-term (4-6 sessions) and focuses primarily on the couple’s future together. We help premarital couples improve communication skills and create good habits. Although premarital counseling is tailored to the specific needs and goals of the couple, it usually includes some structured exercises, like creating a vision statement for your marriage. Importantly, it addresses topics that are common triggers for conflict in long-term relationships. O...

  Relationships aren’t perfect, and mistakes are inevitable. However, as you and your significant other learn and grow together, there are some common mistakes that you can avoid. Read through the list below to see how you can expand your perspective and  improve your relationship   now and for the long term. Here are 5 common mistakes that couples make: 1. They talk about hot button issues while intoxicated. If you have an important topic to address, make sure you put it on hold if one or both of you is drinking. Sometimes you may feel tempted to bring up subjects that one of you has on your mind, but being intoxicated often makes people more emotional and less tactful. Unfortunately, for many couples, discussing while drinking often escalates to arguing. To avoid this mistake, be conscious and mindful of the fact that this can happen. Remember: Don’t drink and discuss. Before the night begins, agree together which topics are off-limits for the night and should be saved ...

  Valentine’s Day can be a difficult holiday for people. We’ve been raised to think that you need to have a valentine, be in a relationship, or have a special date night planned for it to be special, meaningful, or right. So many people spend a day that is intended to be centered around love, feeling lonely or forgotten. Whether you’ve never had a true relationship, you’ve just experienced a breakup, or you’re simply “dating” because that’s what quarterlifers do, be sure to show yourself some love on this day. Valentine’s Day as a holiday isn’t going anywhere, but you can transform it into a self-love holiday if its traditional definition isn’t working for you. 1. Go shopping If your love language is receiving gifts, plan a little shopping spree. Give yourself permission to splurge on yourself and spend some time on Valentine’s Day shopping for an item or two that you’ve really wanted. Another alternative to shopping is simply buying yourself your own chocolate and flowers. Too man...

  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. Plan an activity for the even...

Life transitions that occur in your twenties and thirties can be exciting for couples, but they are also stressful. Building a life together is a wonderful thing, but it also can create significant tension and anxiety. As couples consider taking their relationships to the next level, whether it’s moving in together, planning for marriage or having a baby, they often experience increased conflict and miscommunication, decreased sexual intimacy, and even doubts about their compatibility. At QLC, we understand how these transitions affect couples, and we are here to help you work together as a couple to navigate these challenging times. These are some of the areas our couples counselors can help you with: Communication skills Empathy and understanding Effective conflict resolution Anger and Resentment Decision-making as a couple Emotional Connection Sexual Intimacy Infidelity Trust Conflict about Finances If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment or you’d like more information, pl...

  While both premarital counseling and couples counseling help couples connect and communicate, they differ in their structure, style, and goals. During the course of therapy, the two might look identical in a specific moment, but the overall course of each type of counseling looks very different. Premarital Counseling Premarital counseling is ideal for couples who are planning to be married or who have decided to make a lifelong commitment to each other. At QLC , this type of counseling is short-term (4-6 sessions) and focuses primarily on the couple’s future together. We help premarital couples improve communication skills and create good habits. Although premarital counseling is tailored to the specific needs and goals of the couple, it usually includes some structured exercises, like creating a vision statement for your marriage. Importantly, it addresses topics that are common triggers for conflict in long-term relationships. One of our primary goals is for couples to leave pr...