Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

  Are you grieving the loss of a loved one? Have you been considering  grief counseling ?  While the symptoms of grief are part of a normal recovery process, it can be difficult to go through the process of mourning over days, weeks, months, or years. Grieving the loss of a loved one is  particularly hard on quarterlife young adults for several reasons .  In this post, we’ll discuss the symptoms that accompany grief and the stages, and associated tasks, of the grieving process. What are the symptoms of grief? These are some common symptoms of grief. Following a loss, you will need time to heal. Guilt Fear Irritability Headaches Changes in appetite or sleep Fatigue Sadness Numbness Denial Anger Stage 1: Accepting the reality of the loss The first stage of mourning involves both an intellectual and emotional acceptance of the loss. Grappling with the thought that our loved one has died is hard to handle, and you may find yourself reaching for your phone to text th...

  Grief has many causes and many faces. Losing a loved one, and then feeling alone in your grief can feel devastating.  Grieving is never easy, but the grieving process for young adults (quarterlifers) is particularly rough .  With a few exceptions, a young adult doesn’t expect to face the death of a loved one. Because grieving a death is non-normative during this phase of life, a grieving quarterlifer is apt to feel like peers don’t understand. Additionally, it can be challenging to find  resources and help for grieving young adults .  As a 25 year-old grieving client expressed, “my friends don’t know how to handle my sadness. I feel so alone . . . like everyone is tiptoeing around me.” The following poem captures this feeling and illuminates the most important way in which you can help a young adult who is grieving: “Elephant in the Room” by Terry Kettering “There’s an elephant in the room. It is large and squatting, so it is hard to get around it. Yet we sque...

A 4-Week Group for Grieving in Your 20s and 30s With a few exceptions, you probably didn’t expect to face the death of a loved one when you were in your twenties or thirties. Because grieving a death is non-normative during this phase of life, a grieving quarterlifer is apt to feel like their peers don’t understand. Additionally, it can be challenging to find  resources   and help for grieving young adults. As a 25 year-old grieving client expressed, “ my friends don’t know how to handle my sadness. I feel so alone . . . like everyone is tiptoeing around me. " Experiences with grief can be multi-layered and complicated. Grieving the death of someone close to us, whether from COVID-19 or another cause,  poses unique challenges during young adulthood and the quarterlife period . In grief counseling at QLC, you will work 1:1 with an experienced grief counselor as you learn about the grief process and the tasks of mourning. We also offer a grief support group “Grief Group for...

  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...

  The past or anticipated death of someone we love can be especially difficult during the holiday season, a time when many people around us are celebrating with close family and friends. Rather than being a time of celebration, it can sometimes become filled with sadness, longing, and emptiness. Here are some tips to help you  get through this holiday season : Allow yourself to acknowledge that this time of year might be different or difficult and that it’s okay for it to feel this way. Make a plan for where, when, and with whom you want to celebrate the holiday. You might want to change your traditions or plans to accommodate the fact that this year feels different and you might need more/different support. Try to anticipate and communicate your needs to others you will be with during the holidays. Consider picking out a gift for yourself that reminds you of the person you’ve lost (favorite music, a hobby you’ve shared, picture frame, charm or ornament, etc.). Give yourself p...

Meet Rachel Chazen, LCMFT! Pronouns: she/her Personally Speaking “I understand that starting therapy can feel scary. That is why I strive to provide a space that feels comfortable and safe. Together, we will create real changes to help you feel better and get you back to your true self.” Rachel is experienced in providing  individual   and family therapy to those needing support with  anxiety ,  depression, self-esteem, and motivation. She is passionate about helping others by utilizing their strengths, collaborating to problem-solve, and creating real change. Rachel’s approach is supportive and goal-oriented. She strives to facilitate a therapeutic space that is comfortable and safe. Rachel knows that change is hard and she is dedicated to making sure her clients aren’t alone as they navigate stressors. In addition to her work, Rachel enjoys going to the beach, cycling, and watching reality shows. Education: MS in Couple and Family Therapy, University of Maryland- C...