Therapy for College Students & Young Adults
Are You Feeling Lost, Overwhelmed, or Like Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out?
College and early adulthood come with a lot of pressureโand not much support.
Between managing classes, relationships, expectations, and your own mental health, itโs easy to feel like youโre barely holding it together.
Maybe you're:
โข Struggling with anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts
โข Questioning your identity or sense of direction
โข Constantly overthinking or feeling like you're โnot enoughโ
โข Dealing with grief, trauma, or difficult family dynamics
โข Feeling stuckโlike everyone else is moving forward but you canโt
Youโre not alone. And therapy can help.
You Are Not Alone - These Challenges Are More Common Than You Think
Many college students and young adults struggle silently with anxiety, depression, identity confusion, OCD, trauma, and grief. According to the American College Health Association, more than 75% of college students report moderate to severe psychological distress, and nearly half say their emotional challenges impact their academic performance.
Whether youโre questioning your identity, recovering from trauma, dealing with social anxiety, or coping with lossโyouโre not the only one. These years are full of pressure to โhave it all togetherโ while your brain and body are still figuring things out.
The good news? Therapy provides a space to slow down, breathe, and learn how to move through this stage of life with more clarity, self-compassion, and support.
Therapy Can Help You Feel More Grounded, Confident, and in Control
At Authentic Connections Counseling, we specialize in supporting college students and young adults across Virginiaโboth in-person and virtually.
We understand that therapy needs to feel relatable and effective. Our therapists are warm, real humans who meet you where you are, without judgment or pressure to โfixโ anything overnight.
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Learn tools to manage anxiety, overwhelm, and intrusive thoughts
Build confidence and feel more connected to who you are
Heal from grief, loss, trauma, or relationship pain
Work through identity questions or self-esteem struggles
Improve focus and manage ADHD or OCD symptoms
Stop comparing yourself to others and define your own path
You donโt have to do this alone. Weโll help you explore whatโs really going on underneath the surface, process your emotions, and create a plan that feels doable and aligned with your goals.
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Whether youโre brand new to therapy or have been before, weโll start by getting to know youโyour story, your stressors, and what you want help with. From there, weโll create a personalized plan and move at a pace that feels safe for you.
We often use approaches like CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy), ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), mindfulness, and trauma-informed care. We also help clients understand how their nervous system and past experiences affect their current patternsโso they can begin to shift them in lasting ways.
Start Feeling BetterโAt Your Own Pace
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We offer therapy for college students and young adults across Virginiaโvirtually and in person.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk with one of our therapists and see if weโre the right fit.
Our holistic approach not only addresses mental health concerns but also incorporates elements of physical and emotional wellness. We believe that fostering overall well-being leads to more profound and lasting changes.
Why Choose Authentic Connections Counseling LLC?
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What sets us apart is our holistic, down-to-earth approach and our commitment to creating a safe, supportive space where young adults feel truly seen and heard.
Our diverse team of therapists collaborates with each client to address immediate concernsโlike anxiety, self-doubt, or identity strugglesโwhile also building skills that support long-term growth, resilience, and self-trust. Whether you're navigating a tough transition, coping with loss, or just trying to figure out who you are, we're here to help you feel more grounded and empowered.
Questions You Might Have About Therapy
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We get itโlife is busy. Thatโs why we offer flexible scheduling and virtual sessions, so you can fit therapy into your week without extra stress. Even one session a week can make a huge difference in how you feel.
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Not every therapist is the right fit. But that doesnโt mean therapy canโt work for you. Our team is down-to-earth, relatable, and trained in evidence-based approaches that actually make a difference. We also offer free consultations to help you find the best match.
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You donโt need to have it all figured outโthatโs what weโre here for. Whether you have one specific concern or a swirl of thoughts and emotions, weโll help you make sense of it and start moving forward.
Take the First Step Towards Support
Ready to feel more like yourself again? We invite you to schedule a free 15-minute consultation to explore how therapy can support you in this season of life.
Letโs find the right therapist for your needsโso you donโt have to figure it all out alone.
College & Young Adult Therapy Specialists
Marilee Sonnen, LPC
April Grant, M.S.
Samantha Ellis,
Counseling Intern
Cammie Terry, LPC, NCC
Therapy for Young Adults in Ashburn, VA
44075 Pipeline Plaza, #300, Ashburn, VA 20147