Therapy for College Students & Young Adults

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adhd therapy & evaluations
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Depression therapy
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Are You Feeling Lost, Overwhelmed, or Like Everyone Else Has It All Figured Out?

College and early adulthood come with a lot of pressureโ€”and not much support.
Between managing classes, relationships, expectations, and your own mental health, itโ€™s easy to feel like youโ€™re barely holding it together.

Maybe you're:
โ€ข Struggling with anxiety, depression, or intrusive thoughts
โ€ข Questioning your identity or sense of direction
โ€ข Constantly overthinking or feeling like you're โ€œnot enoughโ€
โ€ข Dealing with grief, trauma, or difficult family dynamics
โ€ข Feeling stuckโ€”like everyone else is moving forward but you canโ€™t

Youโ€™re 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 youโ€™re questioning your identity, recovering from trauma, dealing with social anxiety, or coping with lossโ€”youโ€™re not the only one. These years are full of pressure to โ€œhave 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 Virginiaโ€”both 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 โ€œfixโ€ anything overnight.

    • 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 donโ€™t have to do this alone. Weโ€™ll help you explore whatโ€™s really going on underneath the surface, process your emotions, and create a plan that feels doable and aligned with your goals.

  • Whether youโ€™re brand new to therapy or have been before, weโ€™ll start by getting to know youโ€”your story, your stressors, and what you want help with. From there, weโ€™ll 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 patternsโ€”so they can begin to shift them in lasting ways.

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Start Feeling Betterโ€”At Your Own Pace

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  • We offer therapy for college students and young adults across Virginiaโ€”virtually and in person.

    Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk with one of our therapists and see if weโ€™re 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.

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Why Choose Authentic Connections Counseling LLC?

  • 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 concernsโ€”like anxiety, self-doubt, or identity strugglesโ€”while 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.

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Questions You Might Have About Therapy

  • We get itโ€”life is busy. Thatโ€™s 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.

  • Not every therapist is the right fit. But that doesnโ€™t mean therapy canโ€™t 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.

  • You donโ€™t need to have it all figured outโ€”thatโ€™s what weโ€™re here for. Whether you have one specific concern or a swirl of thoughts and emotions, weโ€™ll 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.
Letโ€™s find the right therapist for your needsโ€”so you donโ€™t 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

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Therapy for Young Adults in Ashburn, VA

44075 Pipeline Plaza, #300, Ashburn, VA 20147