4 Things Every College Student Should Know About Therapy

Several recent studies have found that college and graduate students are experiencing significantly higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Between the expectations of academics, new friends, social obligations, social media, or multitasking school and working it can feel like a lot. Needless to say, college is a very stressful transition in your life and it is important to remember that you are not alone. 

In my work I have found that mental health is a particularly overlooked topic in the college setting. Whether it is fear of admitting that you need help, the stigma of the social implications that could come from going to therapy, or a feeling of being undeserving of therapy; the truth is it is never too soon to come to therapy. I have seen the benefits that come from therapy and here is what you need to know:

1. No one needs to know that you are coming to therapy

   Oftentimes college students are fearful of telling others or people finding out that they are seeing a therapist. The truth is - you do not need to tell anyone. Therapists are bound by a professional code of ethics to keep your information confidential (unless there is a situation where you are at harm of hurting yourself or others). Therapy does not need to be shared with others to work. You might find that overtime, as you feel more comfortable being in therapy, that you want to tell other people but what it comes down to is that is your information to share. 

2. You do not need to be in crisis or given a mental health diagnosis to seek therapy

   Another common reason I see college students avoiding taking the next step to come to therapy is because of a fear that they are “not sick enough.” You may not even know the severity of your situation until you consult with a professional. I say this not to scare you but to help you understand that it is helpful to seek help so that you do not feel any worse. Therapy can help you spot signs of challenging thoughts, habits and escalating concerns. Once spotted you can learn tools to work with them moving forward. Lastly, often times it is extremely therapeutic to just have a non bias, objective professional to talk to. 

3. It does not need to be weekly or in person or can we use online therapy?

   Together we will establish the appropriate commitment to therapy. This can come in many different forms. Most importantly, we will approach this conversation from a holistic perspective taking into consideration finances, availability, and need. Additionally, if it is too difficult for you to get to the office due to other commitments, online therapy may be a good option for you. I believe that online therapy can be just as effective as in-person sessions, or at the very least it is better than receiving no support at all. If this sounds appealing, keep in mind that we can also utilize online therapy on an as-needed basis. 

4. It can be extremely empowering to do this for yourself

   Do it for you. If you feel like your life could improve from therapy you have the ability to stop the current cycle and create a new one full of fulfillment and joy.

If you are interested in taking the next step or learning more about my approach to therapy with college students, you can read more here or please feel free to reach out. If you are interested in scheduling a free 20 minute consultation, please reach out.