Young Adult Therapy
Silver Spring

The transition to adulthood is one of life’s most challenging periods, and today’s young adults face complexities that previous generations never encountered. Whether struggling with the pressure of college, uncertainty about the future, or difficulty launching into independence, many young adults find themselves feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck.

This developmental stage brings unique challenges: forming identity while managing family expectations, developing independence while still needing support, and navigating an increasingly complex world with limited life experience. While cognitive behavioral therapy techniques can be helpful for specific skills, young adults need understanding and guidance that addresses the full complexity of this pivotal time in their lives.

Struggling to Launch into Independence
Many young adults find themselves caught between childhood and adulthood, unsure how to take the next steps toward independence. This struggle often stems from anxiety, depression, executive functioning challenges, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of adult responsibilities. We help young adults identify what’s holding them back and develop concrete steps forward.

Navigating College and Academic Pressure
College brings intense academic demands alongside social pressures, financial stress, and the challenge of living independently for the first time. Many young adults struggle with time management, social anxiety, homesickness, or feeling like they don’t belong. We help students develop coping strategies and build confidence in their ability to succeed.

Identity Development in a Complex World
Young adults today explore questions about career, relationships, values, sexuality, and identity with more options and less certainty than ever before. This freedom can feel overwhelming rather than liberating. We provide a supportive space for young adults to explore who they are and what they want from life without judgment or pressure.

Mental Health Challenges That Impact Daily Life
Anxiety and depression in young adults often show up as sleep problems, social withdrawal, academic struggles, or family conflict. These challenges can derail plans for education, work, or relationships. We address both the emotional struggles and their practical impact on daily functioning.

Social Connection in an Isolated Age
Despite being more connected digitally than ever, many young adults report feeling lonely and struggle to form meaningful relationships. The skills needed for authentic connection require practice and support. We help young adults develop confidence in social situations and build lasting friendships.

We Meet Young Adults Where They Are Developmentally
Young adults aren’t teenagers, but they’re also still developing the emotional regulation and decision-making skills of mature adults. We tailor our approach to honor this unique developmental stage, providing support that respects growing independence while acknowledging continued growth needs.

We Address Both Emotional and Practical Needs
Young adults benefit from developing both emotional awareness and practical life skills. We help with managing anxiety and depression while also building capabilities like time management, communication skills, decision-making, and conflict resolution that support independent living. We integrate cognitive behavioral therapy, psychodynamic approaches, and family systems work depending on what each young adult needs most. Cognitive behavioral therapy is widely available, but we use it as one tool among many rather than a one-size-fits-all solution.

We Work Collaboratively with Families When Appropriate
Family relationships often become more complex during young adulthood as roles and expectations shift. We help young adults develop their own voice while maintaining important family connections. When it serves the young adult’s therapeutic goals, we may involve family members in sessions or conversations. However, we recognize that many young adults need space to explore family dynamics and personal issues independently before including family members in their treatment.

We Recognize the Unique Pressures of This Generation
Today’s young adults navigate social media, economic uncertainty, climate concerns, and political polarization in ways that create real stress and anxiety. We take these contemporary challenges seriously and help young adults develop resilience without minimizing their experiences.

We Focus on Building Long-Term Skills
Our goal is to help young adults develop the emotional regulation, problem-solving abilities, and self-knowledge they need to thrive independently. Cognitive behavioral therapy techniques can be helpful for specific skills, but many young adults are also ready for more depth-oriented, psychodynamic approaches that address the full complexity of this pivotal time in their lives. We focus on building lasting capabilities rather than just addressing immediate problems.

Your Investment Supports Our Mission
When you choose Kingsbury for your young adult, you’re contributing to our commitment to making quality mental health care accessible to all families. Our nonprofit model ensures that families who can afford our services help us provide the same care to young adults whose families cannot.

Director of Psychotherapy and Clinical Training

• Location: Silver Spring, MD
• Virtual therapy available: in participating PsyPact states
• Insurance: Out-of-network provider (we provide documentation for reimbursement)
• Session length: 45 minutes
• Frequency: Typically weekly
• Family involvement: Collaborative approach respecting young adult autonomy