Quarterlife Center - Counseling for Young Adults

  One thing is certain–uncertainty is an unavoidable part of life. From global crises to personal dilemmas, uncertainty can lead to anxiety, stress, and even mental health challenges. We love predictability–it facilitates decision making and puts much less stress on our brain, which is wired for predictability. We struggle when faced with ambiguity and the unknown. Studies conducted by neuroscientists have shed light on why uncertainty can be so mentally exhausting, and they have provided insight into coping strategies that can help mitigate the impact of uncertainty. The Neuroscience of Uncertainty Our brains are designed to seek stability and security in an unstable and insecure world. The prefrontal cortex is responsible for decision-making and reasoning, and it tries to predict future events based on past experiences. As long as our present experience falls within reasonable norms consistent with past experiences or knowledge, our prefrontal cortex smooths out the bumps and kee...

  Introduction As we step into a new year, it’s essential for young adults to consider their mental well-being (perhaps as part of their new year’s resolutions). Balancing the demands of life can be overwhelming, and prioritizing mental health can lead to a more fulfilling and resilient year. Here are  three valuable tips  for young adults to foster mental health in the coming months. 1. Establish Healthy Daily Routines. Creating and sticking to a consistent daily routine can significantly impact mental health. Set aside time for self-care activities, such as exercise, adequate sleep, and nutritious meals. Consistency in these habits can provide a sense of stability and contribute to improved mood and overall well-being. Small, manageable improvements in routine can pave the way for lasting mental health benefits. 2. Connect and Communicate. In the digital age, social connections are crucial for mental well-being. However, it’s not just about the quantity of connections b...

  In both my practice as a therapist and in my relationships with friends and family, I’ve noticed that women are increasingly sharing their feelings of anger. Perhaps we sense that we’re giving more than we’re getting in our partnerships, or maybe we’re paid less than our male counterparts at work, or we disagree with decisions made by those in positions of authority. Regardless of the cause of our rage, anger signals to us that something feels unfair, such as an imbalance in a relationship, a crossing of our boundaries, or an injustice built into our laws. Conventional wisdom holds that men tend to be angrier than women, but in fact  studies have shown  that women experience as much anger as men. The difference is in how we express it.  Women are taught to fear and deny their anger from birth. Gender norms, conveyed through both overt and subtle messages from our families, schools, and society, dictate that women and girls are expected to be loving caretakers and p...

  Over the last few years of this pandemic, we all had a lot of alone time – time for isolation, for contemplation, for introspection. The slow-down allowed for folks to be alone with their thoughts without as many distractions. For some, there was also the added benefit of not being around societal pressures. This opened space for self-exploration to include authenticity to oneself and their experience without those social barriers. It is no surprise to me that in my clinical work I found that more people finally had space to consider and question their gender.  Now, I want to name a few important things before delving deeper: Questioning your gender is not a shameful or bad thing.  Gender has a long history of including more than cisgender/binary narratives. Questioning your gender does not automatically mean that you are not cisgender, rather it means you are intentionally exploring your authentic self. Understanding your identities (professional, sexual, etc) is a lif...

  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...

  If you’re a recent grad seeking a job, there are a few ways you can prepare for this transition. It’s not easy being a young adult, but just a few tips and tricks in your toolkit can make you feel even more confident as you walk this path. Here’s what you should focus on in the coming months, if not everything is set in stone (and trust us — no one has it all figured out!). 1. Create a strong resume Every time you walk into a career center, enter a job fair, or take a coffee meeting with someone, they’ll likely ask you about your resume. Your resume is the most important document you can have during your job search. It’s a clear, concise, formal document that provides an overview of your professional qualifications. Unfortunately, most job seekers falter when it comes to creating their resumes. Employers only look at resumes for roughly 6 to 7 seconds.  Yes! You read that correctly.  If you don’t write your resume correctly, then you’re less likely to receive positive f...