Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

  Mother’s Day is a special day to celebrate motherhood. Simple, right? Not exactly. For many people, this day can get a bit complicated, depending on many factors, like your relationship with your mother, and your feelings about being a mom yourself. This is true especially for moms who have recently given birth and are experiencing  post-partum depression and/or anxiety on Mother’s Day . As the friend or relative of a new mom who is struggling in the post-partum stages, you may be unsure how to support and celebrate this special mom on Mother’s Day. Here are some tips to keep in mind: DON’T buy anything for the home or for the kids and family. DO buy her a gift that she can use ONLY for herself, like a spa treatment, massage, comfy PJs or other clothing she’d enjoy. ______ DON’T plan an event or activity that will require energy and motivation on her part. For someone who is depressed and sleep deprived with a newborn, exerting energy on extra things can be challenging. DO e...

  Many women experience post-partum depression and/or post-partum anxiety after the birth of their baby. Symptoms include anxiety and panic attacks, feeling worthless, fear of not being a good mother, fear of being left alone with the baby, excessive irritability, mood swings, sadness, crying uncontrollably for long periods of time, disinterest in the baby and in things that you used to enjoy. If you are experiencing this, then “celebrating” Mother’s Day may seem nearly impossible. Here are 4 reminders to help you can get through Mother’s Day this year. 1. You are not alone. At least 1 in 7 women experience post-partum depression and anxiety and it is NOT your fault. Remember that not too long ago you went through the stress of pregnancy and giving birth to a human being. You are still recovering, physically, mentally, and hormonally. And sleep-deprivation is no joke—it wreaks havoc on mood, motivation, and energy. 2. Be kind and gentle to yourself. Adjusting to life with a new bab...

  The quarter-life crisis is real .  It is an identity crisis (experienced by some as an existential crisis) that occurs as a quarter-lifer (in their twenties or thirties) struggles with the transition to adulthood. If you are facing a quarter-life crisis, here are 3 things you need to know. 1) It’s ok not to have life figured out as a quarter-lifer. If you are unclear about who you want to be and how you want to live your life, try to see this as an opportunity to explore options and experience new adventures. You may feel pressure to have more certainty about where you’re headed in your life, but it’s ok not to have it all figured out–too much certainty can be a bad thing, if it prevents you from taking appropriate risks to grow and move out of your comfort zone. 2) You are not alone. Often, the quarter-life crisis is exacerbated by a perception that your friends have it all figured out already. You may worry that friends are moving forward with their lives while you’ve gott...

The recent shootings in Uvalde and Buffalo have put most (if not all)  quarterlifers  o n edge. These 20- and 30-somethings are right on the cusp – either reeling from their own experiences of shootings in their childhood or fretting about their young children’s safety in public spaces. Managing fear, anxiety, and difficult conversations after incidences of mass violence isn’t something they give adults instructions for. Here’s our best guide on how to cope if you’re feeling especially worried these days. The Rise of Mass Shootings A mass shooting is an incident involving several victims of firearm-related violence. Over the past 25 years, hundreds of mass shootings have occurred, which only contribute to young adults’ general sense of anxiety and instability. Today’s young adults (Millennials and Gen Z-ers) grew up in a world where safety wasn’t guaranteed in schools, grocery stores, concerts, movie theaters, and other public spaces. Here’s a list of just a fraction of the ma...

  Dating someone with anxiety can be challenging for both people involved. Anxiety can stand between you and your partner and create doubt and confusion for seemingly no reason at all. Yet, there’s no reason a mental health condition should stand between you and someone you love. Dating someone with anxiety is possible, and there are some key ways that you can prepare. We’ll break down some of those ways in this blog. 1. Learn about anxiety disorders. Learning about anxiety and what it is doing to your partner is the first step. You’ll most likely see it show up in two ways: Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and/or panic attacks. GAD has symptoms that are similar to panic disorder, OCD, and other types of anxiety. Living with this disorder is often a long-term challenge for those experiencing it. They may persistently worry about a number of areas in their lives or over-think plans and solutions. They may perceive situations and events as threatening, even when they aren’t, or the...

  If you’re a parent of a quarterlifer, you may be looking at your son or daughter in distress. These 20- or 30-something Millennials and Gen Z-ers are at a pivotal point in their lives, and along with everything else going on, the last couple of years haven’t been easy on them. Yet, as much as you want to help, sometimes your actions may be making the situation worse (doesn’t every parent love to hear that!). In this blog, we’ll discuss the top 3 mistakes that parents of quarterlifers make and how you can redirect your energy and actions to actually improve their situation. 1. You offer too much help We all know these types of parents — and you might be one of them. Those that are overbearing and micromanaging. Of course, they mean well and want to help their child. It’s difficult to see your child struggling, and as a parent, you want to do anything you can to help them. However, now that your children are emerging adults, they’re developing independence and autonomy. This is the...

Pronouns: she/her Being a young adult in the quarterlife stage can present challenges in self-identity, relationships, career, family and lifestyle. Are you struggling with major life transitions as you navigate the demands of adulthood and find that it’s impacting your mood, motivation, decision-making or overall functioning? Listening to your distress and seeking therapy is a sign of strength. Desiree has extensive clinical and research experience working with young adults in the quarterlife stage. Areas of expertise include but are not limited to relationship issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, academic and motivational difficulties, parenting issues, PTSD, ADHD/ADD, family conflict, body image issues, identity, cultural, sexuality and perinatal/postpartum mental health issues. Desiree strives to facilitate a sense of self-awareness, personal growth, development and self-agency in an open, supportive and safe environment. Education Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Long Island University-...

  Meet Joanna Strait! Pronouns: she/her Joanna is experienced in providing individual and group therapy to those struggling with  grief and loss ,   perinatal mood disorders ,  and those struggling to overcome anxiety and depression. She is passionate about empowering her clients so that they feel they are able to overcome quarter-life challenges and can lead fulfilling healthy lives. Joanna’s approach is very collaborative, and she provides a calm, safe and empathic space for clients to explore possibilities for healing and growth. In addition to her work, Joanna enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and reading true crime. Personally Speaking “As a therapist, it is a privilege to be able to partner with individuals who are struggling with quarter-life transitions and concerns. By tending to our own emotional needs, we open ourselves to the greatest potential for fulfillment, connection, and joy.” Education: MSW, Virginia Commonwealth University BA in Bio...

  Nervous that you haven’t figured out what to do with your life? Worried that you’re getting left behind as your peers move on? Lacking motivation or direction? Trying to find your passion? Thinking about starting graduate school? Struggling in a relationship? Feeling pressure to get married and settle down? Relying on your family for financial support more than you’d like? Feeling overwhelmed by all of the options available to you? If you answered yes to any of these questions, meeting with a therapist can help you figure these things out. Our therapists are compassionate and dedicated to supporting you as you make some of the most important decisions of your life. They are skilled at listening and providing feedback about challenges you’re facing and ways to resolve them. It’s common to feel nervous when beginning the therapy process.  Our professional and caring counselors   will work with you to help you feel comfortable opening up about yourself and your relationshi...

If you’re a parent of a quarterlifer, you may be looking at your son or daughter in distress. These 20- or 30-something Millennials and Gen Z-ers are at a pivotal point in their lives, and along with everything else going on, the last couple of years haven’t been easy on them. Yet, as much as you want to help, sometimes your actions may be making the situation worse (doesn’t every parent love to hear that!). In this blog, we’ll discuss the top 3 mistakes that parents of quarterlifers make and how you can redirect your energy and actions to actually improve their situation. 1. You offer too much help We all know these types of parents — and you might be one of them. Those that are overbearing and micromanaging. Of course, they mean well and want to help their child. It’s difficult to see your child struggling, and as a parent, you want to do anything you can to help them. However, now that your children are emerging adults, they’re developing independence and autonomy. This is the time ...

Given all the changes that come with pregnancy and parenthood, you might be wondering if the emotional and physical differences you are feeling are cause for concern. While adjustments, including some feelings of sadness and worry, can be normal, there are also signs that might indicate it is time to seek additional support. Perinatal   Mood and Anxiety Disorders (PMADs) are a group of emotional and sometimes physical symptoms that can affect pregnant and postpartum parents. Symptoms of PMADs can appear anytime from conception up until 1 year after birth. This group of disorders can affect parents in every financial, cultural, racial, religious, or age group and can be caused by changes in biology (hormonal), physiology, and environmental factors. Although less commonly talked about, partners can also experience these symptoms, for men referred to as Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND). While experiencing symptoms of a PMAD or PPND can be distressing, it’s important to remember th...