by Lauren Goodman | Aug 7, 2026 | Therapy For Young Adults
How to Cope With Anxiety About Adulting
Adulthood comes with a lot of freedom, but it also comes with bills, responsibilities, and big decisions. If you’re feeling anxiety about adulting, you’re not alone. Many young adults worry about making the wrong choices or wonder if they’re truly ready to be on their own. The good news is that these feelings are completely normal, and there are healthy ways to manage them.
If you’re getting ready to venture out on your own for the first time, you don’t have to let your worries take over. Here are a few ways to cope and feel more confident as you enter this new stage of life.
Acknowledge How You’re Feeling
The first step is to recognize how you’re feeling. Adulting can be overwhelming, and it’s okay to admit that. Give yourself permission to experience those emotions without judging yourself. Remember, you’re not the only one feeling this way. Many young adults are navigating the same fears and uncertainties.
Break Big Tasks Into Smaller Steps
One of the best ways to reduce anxiety about adulting is to break large responsibilities into smaller, more manageable tasks. Whether you’re creating your first budget, figuring out insurance paperwork, or simply grocery shopping on your own, taking things one step at a time can make everything feel much less overwhelming.
Try making a to-do list and celebrating each small accomplishment. Every task you complete is another step toward becoming more confident and independent.
Prioritize Self-Care to Manage Anxiety About Adulting
When life gets busy, self-care is often the first thing to disappear. However, taking care of your physical and mental health is one of the best ways to manage stress and anxiety.
Aim to get enough sleep, eat balanced meals, and make time for activities you enjoy. Whether it’s reading, exercising, spending time outdoors, or practicing mindfulness, caring for yourself helps you handle life’s challenges more effectively.
Set Realistic Expectations
No one has adulthood completely figured out, even if it seems that way on social media. Give yourself permission to learn as you go. Life rarely follows a perfect plan. Stay open to new opportunities, learn from mistakes, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Learn Basic Financial Skills
Money is one of the biggest sources of anxiety for many young adults. Learning the basics of budgeting, saving, and managing your finances can help you feel more in control. There are plenty of helpful resources available, from budgeting apps to free online financial education. Small steps today can help you build confidence and reduce financial stress in the future.
Celebrate Your Progress
It’s easy to focus on everything you still need to learn, but don’t forget to notice how far you’ve already come. Celebrate the small wins, whether it’s paying a bill on time, cooking your own meals, sticking to a budget, or handling a challenge on your own. Those little victories build confidence over time.
Seek Support When Anxiety About Adulting Feels Overwhelming
You don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. Talking with trusted friends, family members, mentors, or a therapist can help you gain perspective and feel less alone. If anxiety begins to interfere with your daily life or feels too overwhelming to manage on your own, therapy can provide practical tools and support as you navigate this transition.
You’re Learning, Not Failing
Adulting comes with challenges, but it also comes with opportunities to grow. No one becomes a confident adult overnight. Every new responsibility you take on helps you build resilience and life skills. If you’re struggling with anxiety as a young adult, know that you don’t have to face it alone. Therapy for young adults can help you build confidence, manage stress, and feel more prepared for whatever comes next.
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 7, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Teen Alcoholism
Sadly, teen alcohol addiction is more common than many parents realize. When we think of an alcoholic, we usually picture an adult, not a teenager. It can be hard to imagine that a teen could develop a dependence on alcohol, especially since they’re underage. However, some teenagers do develop unhealthy drinking habits that can quickly turn into addiction.
Most teenagers are not daily drinkers, if they drink at all. If they do drink, it is usually only at parties or social events. Still, if you ask your teen, they can probably name one or two classmates who have a reputation for “always” being drunk. These are the teens at the highest risk for addiction (if they’re not already struggling with it).
Teen Alcohol Addiction and Blackout Drinking
These are the teens I worry about most as a therapist. They come back to school on Monday talking about how they were so drunk over the weekend that they can’t remember large parts of it. They may laugh it off, but what they don’t realize is that this is called blackout drinking, and it has a very high correlation with future alcoholism.
These adolescents tend to struggle with limits. Every time they drink, the only thing that stops them is their body. They may start vomiting or pass out, but until then they keep taking shots, sipping beer, or drinking mixed drinks. Most of us can think of someone we knew in high school who fit this description. Did they become an alcoholic? The girl I’m thinking of did. Thankfully, she’s now thriving in recovery, but her twenties were incredibly difficult.
Alcohol Dependence in Social Situations
Many teens who develop alcohol addiction don’t seem to know how to socialize without drinking. In fact, not bringing alcohol to a social gathering often doesn’t even occur to them. If they go bowling with friends, they sneak alcohol into a water bottle. If they go to a school dance, they mix rum into their soda before they even arrive. (One of my best friends in high school did this. Sadly, he later struggled with addiction.) They know where the after-party will be, and they believe alcohol is simply part of having fun. In reality, they may be developing a dangerous dependence on alcohol.
When Does Teen Alcohol Addiction Become Serious?
Teenagers can develop real physical dependence on alcohol, just like adults. They can experience withdrawal symptoms, and in some cases, may need medically supervised detox. Some teens also require inpatient treatment or rehab to safely stop drinking.
As a parent, it’s important to pay attention to patterns rather than isolated incidents. If your teen seems preoccupied with partying, restless when they’re not, or increasingly surrounded by peers who normalize heavy drinking, those are worth noticing. While experimentation is common in adolescence, frequent binge drinking, blackouts, vomiting, or passing out are not “normal teen behavior.” These can be warning signs of teen alcohol addiction and should be taken seriously.
Getting Help for Teen Alcohol Addiction
If this describes your child, you may feel scared, frustrated, or even helpless. It can be incredibly painful to watch a teen make choices that feel out of your control. This is often the point where outside support becomes important. Not only is this important for your teen, it can be important for you as the parent. You don’t have to navigate this alone.
So, can teens be alcoholics? Sadly, yes. But there is also real hope. With early support, treatment, and connection, recovery is absolutely possible.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 7, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Recognizing the Signs Your Teen Needs Anxiety Therapy
If your teen seems overwhelmed by worry, it can be heartbreaking to watch. As a parent, you may wonder if what they’re experiencing is normal stress or something more serious. What are the signs your teen needs anxiety therapy? How do you know if it is serious enough for therapy? Knowing the answers to these questions can help you decide when it’s time to reach out for professional support.
What Are the Signs Your Teen Needs Anxiety Therapy?
1. They Can’t Stop Worrying
It is normal for teenagers to feel anxious about a big test, an important game, or a special event. Those worries usually go away once the situation passes. However, if your teen worries all the time about things like school, friendships, or the future, they may be struggling to control their anxiety. When anxiety sticks around and starts affecting everyday life, talking to a therapist can be a great next step.
2. Stress Is Affecting Their Sleep
Sleep is vital, especially for teenagers. Losing sleep because of anxiety is often a sign your teen needs anxiety therapy. If your teenager has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep because their mind won’t stop racing, there are a few things you can try together.
Encourage them to write down their worries before bed along with a simple one-sentence plan for each concern. Sometimes putting worries on paper helps the brain relax. Prayer, meditation, reading, or other calming bedtime routines can also help. If your teen still feels overwhelmed night after night and cannot quiet their thoughts, it may be time to seek counseling.
3. They’re Having Panic Attacks
Panic attacks are a sign that anxiety has become overwhelming. They can cause physical symptoms like a racing heart, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sweating, hot flashes, nausea, or vomiting.
If your teenager is having panic attacks, it is important to seek professional help. If they’re dealing with panic disorder, a therapist can teach them ways to manage anxiety, and in some cases, a psychiatrist may also recommend medication.
4. Social Situations Feel Overwhelming
Does your teen replay every conversation, worrying they said something wrong? Do they avoid social situations because they feel too nervous to be themselves? Teens with social anxiety often want friendships but feel frozen when talking to other people. They may overthink every interaction and struggle to relax around their peers. Social anxiety is often a key sign your teen needs anxiety therapy.
Because healthy friendships are an important part of growing up, getting help for social anxiety can make a big difference in your teen’s confidence and emotional well-being.
5. They Ask for Help
This may seem obvious, but one of the clearest signs your teen needs anxiety therapy is when your teen asks for counseling. Sometimes parents assume their child is just going through a phase or only wants therapy because a friend is going. While that can happen, many teenagers ask for help because they have been struggling for a long time and finally feel ready to say something.
Take your teen seriously when they ask for support. Reaching out early can prevent anxiety from becoming even more overwhelming.
Trust Your Instincts as a Parent
Parenting is hard, and there is no instruction manual. Every child is different, which means there is no perfect answer for when anxiety deserves professional help. If you have noticed one or multiple of these signs, your teen may need anxiety therapy. Trust your instincts. Asking questions and gathering information is always a good first step.
If you’re unsure whether counseling is the right choice, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are always happy to talk through your concerns. Asking questions is free, and sometimes a simple conversation can help you decide what is best for your teen.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Aug 5, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Understanding Back to School Anxiety in Teens
At the end of summer, I start getting more calls from parents who are worried about their teenager’s anxiety. Back to school anxiety is pretty common. Right when school is about to start, stress levels go up. It makes sense. Teens are going from a few months of freedom back to social pressure, schoolwork, and structure. That shift can feel overwhelming.
Why Back to School Anxiety Happens
Back to school anxiety can show up for different reasons. Some teens worry about grades. Others worry about friends, fitting in, or even just getting back into a routine. Understanding what’s underneath your teen’s anxiety is the first step in helping them.
1. Make an Academic Plan
Some teens feel anxious because they work very hard and expect a heavy workload. Others feel anxious because they struggle to stay on top of schoolwork and worry about falling behind.
Some teens need help learning that every assignment doesn’t need to be perfect. This causes assignments to take a very long time leading to stress and burnout. On the other hand, some need to learn how to work harder or study more effectively. Talking through a simple plan before school starts can make a big difference.
2. Talk About Social Anxiety
Oftentimes back to school anxiety stems from worries about fitting in. Teens want to be liked, and many want to be popular. Others feel anxiety around dating or friendships. These worries often grow stronger as school begins again. Talking openly about these pressures can help your teen feel less alone.
3. Prepare for Routine Changes
Other times back to school anxiety comes from worrying about how things will change at home once school starts. Over the summer, they’ve likely stayed up late, spent more time with friends, and had fewer responsibilities. When school starts, expectations shift—earlier bedtimes, homework, and less screen time.
This can lead to conflict. One helpful approach is to give your teen as much responsibility as is appropriate for their age. For example, if you tell your teen that they are expected to wake up on their own, you no longer need to constantly nag them about that. They will have to learn to set an alarm or go to bed earlier. Because you no longer need to nag them, they will feel less irritation.
4. Acknowledge Boredom and Frustration
Some teens feel anxious about being bored in class. Sitting for hours and listening to topics they don’t enjoy can feel draining. I remember feeling this way about math. Sitting through long classes felt like torture, and it definitely affected my mood.
You may not be able to change their schedule, but you can let your teen know you understand. Sometimes feeling understood is enough to ease some of the stress.
Back to School Anxiety Can Show Up in Unexpected Ways
Sometimes anxiety doesn’t show up directly. Your teen might suddenly seem stressed about sports, friendships, or other things. Often, underneath it all, they are worried about going back to school.
Talking Is the Best Way to Reduce Back to School Anxiety
The most important thing you can do is talk to your teen. Help them figure out what’s really bothering them. When they understand their anxiety, you can work together to take simple steps to manage it.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Jul 28, 2026 | Teen Anxiety Therapy
Why Learning How to Improve Study Habits Can Help Lower Homework Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by homework? Learning how to improve study habits can make school feel less stressful and help you get more done in less time. Better study habits are not about working harder all night—they are about learning how to work smarter, stay organized, and make your time count.
If you’re feeling burned out on homework and the never-ending pile of worksheets, essays, math problems, projects, and labs, you’re not alone. I remember those days! Sometimes I had so much homework that I spent an entire Sunday just trying to catch up. On really bad days, I stayed up way too late trying to finish everything, only to wake up early the next morning and keep working before school. At some point or another, everyone feels sick of homework.
The good news is that small changes to the way you study can make a big difference. When you learn better ways to manage your time and focus your energy, homework becomes less overwhelming and you can have more time for the things you enjoy.
1. Taking the Right Classes
Challenge yourself and always do your best. At the same time though, know your limits. Even if you are capable of taking every AP class available, that doesn’t mean you should. For some students, taking too many advanced classes creates so much stress that their grades actually suffer because they cannot perform at their best. In addition to this, some classes come with so much homework that students start to hate learning. Learning how to improve study habits often starts with moderating your workload.
Remember, lower homework stress can sometimes lead to better-quality work. It’s also important to remember that the name of your college does not guarantee your future success. It works the opposite way too. Not getting into a top university doesn’t mean you are a failure or that you won’t do well in life. What matters most is what you do with the opportunities you have. No matter where you go to school, you can stand out by building relationships with professors, working on projects, and getting involved. Whether you attend a community college or a highly competitive university, your effort and dedication matter. Once you’re a few years out of school, employers usually care about your skills, work-ethic, and experience most anyway, not which school you went to.
Take classes that help you reach your goals but don’t overdo it. There is more to life than academic success.
2. Work While You’re Working
This is one of the most simple and the most helpful ways to improve study habits. When you sit down to do homework, focus on getting it done. Avoid distractions like your phone, television, or anything else that pulls your attention away. If you need to, find a quiet space to work or ask your parents to take your phone until you are done so that you can focus better. When you stay focused, you can finish your work much faster. You will also remember more of what you learn, which means you will not have to spend as much time studying later.
3. Study Smarter, Not Harder
Many students do not know how to study effectively. Good study habits are not about spending endless hours looking at a textbook. They are about using your time wisely. Focus most of your energy on the things you do not understand yet. For topics you already know, a quick review may be enough. Learning how to improve study habits means finding study methods that work best for you.
4. Study Regularly Instead of Cramming
Cramming the night before a test usually does not work well. It can also hurt your sleep, and being tired makes it harder to focus and remember information. You will perform better when you give yourself enough time to learn the material and get plenty of rest.
Improving Study Habits Can Help You Build a Less Stressful Future
From a therapist’s perspective, following these tips can make a big difference in your stress levels. My goal is for you to enjoy your life while also learning how to work hard and handle challenges. As you grow into adulthood, you will face pressure and responsibilities. Learning good work habits now can help you handle those challenges without creating unnecessary stress. School is not just about grades. It is also a chance to learn how to work efficiently, manage your time, and take care of yourself.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
\Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
