Therapy for College Students online or in Bozeman, MT.
Are you feeling overwhelmed with academic pressures?
Are you feeling uncomfortable with the way that your body looks?
Are you having trouble transitioning into a new community?
Are you struggling to fit in?
Is it hard finding a balance between the demands of academics and a social life?
College can be a fun time of life but it can also be a time filled with confusion and stress. 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.
Therapy for college students can come in many different forms. I have found that many college students come to therapy unsure of what exactly it is they need support with, and that is something we can navigate together.
What is therapy for college students like?
You will be welcomed into a safe, nonjudgmental environment where it is safe to express yourself in whatever way that you need. At first, therapy can feel like an uncomfortable endeavor. I find that many college students have this mentality at first, but after a session or two they understand the foundation that is built within a therapeutic alliance.
Together, we can work on setting goals, managing your symptoms, learning new skills, and/or simply having the space to be and express whatever you need. I like to make therapy for college students an approachable experience, so no need picturing the cliche of laying down on a couch while a therapist analyzes your symptoms… that is not what it will be like. Rather, you build a relationship to feel supported and understood. You will learn, grow, understand… perhaps with some humor along the way.
I offer both online therapy for college students and in-person sessions. Sessions are typically 50 minutes long and can be longer upon request. Lastly, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to therapy. Utilizing my training and specific expertise we will determine the best next step to move forward towards reaching your goals.
You might be asking yourself…
Is therapy right for me?
The short answer is yes. If you have come to my site and found your way to this page, chances are that scheduling a consultation is a great next step. No matter what you are coming to therapy for, I have found when a therapist and a client make a good fit, a client can create the personal awareness to approach life with more joy, compassion, and understanding.
Do I have to have a diagnosis to come to therapy?
No problem is too small to seek out the support of a therapist. People come to therapy for all sorts of things. Maybe you are having trouble getting along with your partner, maybe you are experiencing sadness, maybe you are coping with the loss of a loved one, maybe you have received a diagnosis in the past and it does not feel like the right diagnosis, maybe you just want someone to talk to! In any case, all reasons are a good enough reason to seek out the support of a therapist.
Will I receive a diagnosis when I come to therapy?
In my practice I utilize diagnosis only when necessary. For some clients a diagnosis can be liberating and for others a diagnosis can be limiting. Therefore, I take all factors into account and take plenty of time to fully understand a client before making a diagnosis.
I have felt terrible my whole life. How would this help?
Just because you have felt a certain way for as long as you can remember does not mean that there is not hope for the future. With the support of the right therapist you can work to figure out what is holding you back and living the life that you want to live.
How often do I have to come to feel better?
It is different for every person but most people come once a week. I like to maintain consistency with therapy so we will try to find a consistent time the reoccurs each week. If we decide that once a week is not fitting we can look into meeting more frequently or less frequently, depending on your needs.
Does online therapy work as effectively as in person?
Seeing a therapist online is the next best thing to seeing a therapist in person. For some clients, I find that online therapy actually works better. Either way we will work together to develop a plan of action that is effective for you and your individual needs.
Types of therapy we might do
Eating Disorder Therapy or Body Image Dissatisfaction
During eating disorder treatment or therapy for body image we will work to reevaluate the way that limiting language and negative self talk is playing into your life. Through self evaluation we will work together, I will provide you with tangible tools to take home. Additionally, we will work with one foot in the past and one foot in the present; discovering what patterns and experiences have contributed, as well as what can be done in the here and now to establish healthier habits with food, body image, and self.
Anxiety and Stress
College can be an incredibly stressful time! Anxiety and stress can show up differently in different people. Therefore, there is no one size fits all approach. It is never too soon to seek support if you are feeling stress or anxiety. Oftentimes, prolonged feelings of stress can turn into anxiety. Both stress and anxiety can be incredibly hard to navigate by yourself. In therapy we will come up with coping strategies and discover a better understanding of why it is here and what it is trying to protect. I have seen that the combination of understanding your stress and anxiety better and the introduction of new coping strategies is the key to moving through the pain that stress and anxiety brings about.
Depression
If you are struggling with depression (deep feelings of sadness, isolation, low self-worth or fear of your own thoughts) you have come to the right place. I am here to help you better understand these thoughts and why they are happening. We will introduce coping skills and discover what is causing these thoughts and feelings. Most importantly, I want you to know that you do not need to be alone and I am here to support you live your life with more joy.
So what now?
You don’t know until you try!
I have worked with many college students throughout my career. My approach focuses on establishing a supportive environment to navigate what is going on in your life. We will establish coping strategies, emotional regulation, and a healthy understanding of past experiences and how they contributed to current circumstances. My primary goal is to help you feel at ease with yourself and to make college the most fulfilling experience it can possible be.
Although I support a wide variety of concerns my main specialties are working with eating disorders and body image, depression, anxiety/stress, addiction, PTSD, and relationship issues.
Don’t feel pressured to share details about what you’re going through when you reach out. There is no such thing as over sharing or under sharing. Together we can set up a free consultation and decide what the best next steps are.
Thank you and please reach out if you have any additional questions! If you are interested in scheduling a free consultation, please fill out the form below. I offer online therapy or therapy for college students in Boulder, CO + Bozeman, MT. I look forward to speaking with you. -Ellie
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