by Lauren Goodman | May 18, 2026 | Therapy For Young Adults
What Is EMDR: Local Orange County EMDR Therapy
Many people who experience trauma feel like their minds keep replaying painful memories over and over again. Even when they want to move forward, the brain can get stuck returning to the same upsetting thoughts, emotions, or images. This can happen after major trauma, but it can also happen after difficult life experiences that continue to affect a person emotionally. EMDR therapy helps the brain process painful memories in a healthier way so they no longer feel overwhelming. At Teen Therapy OC, we are happy to provide Orange County-based EMDR therapy to help you move past trauma and reclaim connection and joy.
How Trauma Affects the Brain
When something traumatic happens, the brain sometimes struggles to fully process the experience. Instead of storing the memory away like a normal memory, the brain keeps reacting to it as if the danger is still happening.
This can lead to:
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Nightmares
- Emotional overwhelm
- Feeling constantly on edge
- Trouble concentrating
- Depression
- Flashbacks
Many people feel frustrated because they know the traumatic event is over, but their brain and body still react strongly to it.
What EMDR Therapy Can Help Treat
EMDR therapy is most commonly used to treat trauma and PTSD. However, it can also help with many other struggles. EMDR therapy may help people dealing with:
- Childhood trauma
- Anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Grief
- Abuse
- Car accidents
- Medical trauma
- Phobias
- Low self-esteem
- Stressful life experiences
How EMDR Therapy Works
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. During EMDR therapy, a person briefly focuses on difficult memories while also using guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation. This helps the brain begin processing the memory differently.
One simple way to think about it is this: trauma can cause the brain to keep traveling down the same painful pathway again and again. EMDR therapy helps the brain create new pathways so the memory no longer feels as emotionally intense. The goal is not to erase the memory. The goal is to help the brain store the memory in a healthier way so it no longer controls a person’s daily life.
Finding Joy After Trauma
Many people who are struggling with trauma feel exhausted from constantly reliving painful experiences. However, after successful treatment, people often notice they can think about the past without feeling emotionally overwhelmed. They feel calmer, safer, and more present in their daily lives.
Healing from trauma takes time, but it is absolutely possible. Instead of feeling trapped by trauma, you can find joy, connection, peace, and hope again.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Carrie Johnson, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Nov 20, 2025 | Therapy For Young Adults
Wanting to Quit When You’re Unhappy with Your First Real Job
Being unhappy with your first real job isn’t uncommon. Lots of people struggle with this. After all, it’s a big adjustment. Work is time-consuming and sometimes boring. It’s normal to want to quit. However, this doesn’t mean you should.
Try Waiting Six Months
Oftentimes, jobs can feel pretty miserable at the start. However, try staying with it for six months. Many times, it gets easier once you’ve settled in. You might even end up enjoying it! The important thing is to give yourself some time to adjust before giving up on the job.
Why Your First Job Feels Disappointing
Usually when young adults feel unhappy with their first real job, it’s because the job wasn’t what they expected. When you first get hired, you are assigned the most basic, boring tasks. For example, say you want to be a nurse. When you’re first hired, you likely will be doing a lot of basic procedures. This is the time when a lot of people would say, “Maybe this job isn’t for me. It’s really boring. Maybe I should quit.” However, don’t do this. If you stick it out for a while and work hard, you’ll almost certainly graduate to more interesting tasks.
Keeping a Positive Attitude When Unhappy with Your First Real Job
I know this is cliche, but it really does help. When you’re faced with a boring task, try to be grateful for it. After all, you are getting paid, and many people don’t have jobs at all. Simply trying to be grateful for things you don’t like can actually make them a little bit less intolerable.
You Can Do It!
Stick with the job for six months, remember you’ll soon be assigned more interesting tasks, and stay positive. If you still don’t like with your job after doing all these things, you can try looking at other career options. However, chances are, you probably won’t end up minding the job after all. Most of all, remember that you’ve got this.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
by Lauren Goodman | Dec 20, 2023 | Therapy For Young Adults
Ah, adulthood – the realm of bills, responsibilities, and decision-making. While it’s liberating to have control over your life, the journey into adulthood often comes with a side dish of anxiety. The overwhelming sense of responsibility and the fear of making the wrong choices can leave even the most confident individuals feeling uneasy.
If you are getting ready to venture out on your own for the first time, you don’t have to let your worries overcome you. Here is how to deal with anxiety over adulting.
Acknowledge Your Feelings
First and foremost, it’s crucial to recognize and acknowledge your feelings. Adulting can be tough, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. Give yourself permission to experience these emotions without judgment. Remember, you’re not alone in this; many of your peers are likely
struggling with similar feelings.
Break it Down
One effective way to tackle the anxiety around adulting is to break down tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Whether it’s setting up a budget, navigating insurance paperwork, or even just grocery shopping, breaking tasks into smaller chunks can make them feel less daunting. Create a to-do list and celebrate each small accomplishment – it’s a great way to build momentum.
Prioritize Self-Care
Amidst the chaos of adulting, it’s easy to neglect self-care. However, taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial for managing anxiety. Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and incorporating activities you enjoy into your routine. Whether it’s reading a book, going for a walk, or practicing mindfulness, these moments of selfcare can significantly reduce anxiety.
Set Realistic Expectations
Setting realistic expectations for yourself is key to managing anxiety around adulting. Understand that no one has it all figured out, and it’s okay to ask for help. Avoid the pressure to have your life completely mapped out – life is unpredictable, and plans may change. Give yourself the flexibility to adapt to new opportunities and challenges as they arise.
Financial Literacy
One major source of anxiety in adulthood is often tied to finances. Taking the time to educate yourself about budgeting, saving, and investing can significantly reduce this stress. There are numerous resources available, from online courses to personal finance apps, that can help you build a solid financial foundation. Remember, small steps today can lead to a more secure financial future.
Celebrate Small Wins
In the hustle and bustle of adulting, it’s easy to overlook your achievements, no matter how small. Take a moment to celebrate your successes, whether it’s sticking to a budget, conquering a new skill, or successfully navigating a complex task. Acknowledging your accomplishments, no matter how minor, can boost your confidence and help alleviate anxiety.
Seek Guidance
It’s perfectly fine not to have all the answers. Seeking guidance from mentors, friends, or even professionals can provide valuable insights. Establishing a support system can be immensely comforting and can help you gain different perspectives on various adulting challenges. Don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you trust when you’re feeling lost.
Adulting may come with its fair share of challenges, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can navigate this phase of life with grace and resilience. If you are struggling to deal with anxiety about adulting, reach out to learn more about therapy for young adults. Take a deep breath, and let the journey into adulthood be a path of growth and self-discovery. You’ve got this!
by Lauren Goodman | Mar 6, 2020 | Therapy For Young Adults
Understanding Abusive Teen Dating Relationships
It’s scary, but true. Sometimes teenagers end up in abusive teen dating relationships. Most parents tell their kids that if someone ever hurts them physically, the relationship should end immediately. The hard part is that teens often believe the other person will change.
Why Teens Stay in Abusive Teen Dating Relationships
I once worked with a client who struggled with this very issue. Her boyfriend repeatedly promised he would change after hurting her, but the behavior continued.
Eventually, she ended the relationship. Even then, she still tried to protect him. She felt ashamed that she had allowed things to go on for so long, and she didn’t want her parents to hate him. This is one reason abusive teen dating relationships can be so confusing. Teens usually care deeply about the person hurting them.
The Progression of Abusive Relationships
It’s easy to judge these situations from the outside. Many parents assume their teen would never end up in an abusive relationship. The reality is that abuse usually does not begin suddenly. Often, it starts with a relationship that feels intense and exciting. The other person wants to spend all their time with your teenager. At first, this can feel flattering.
Over time, though, things begin to change. The boyfriend or girlfriend may become upset when your teen spends time with friends. Slowly, your teenager may begin pulling away from other relationships. Next, there come some very intense arguments. However, most of the time the relationship still seems really good. That’s what makes abusive teen dating relationships difficult to recognize at first.
When abuse happens for the first time, both teens are often shocked. They both truly believe it will never happen again. Afterward, things may even feel very loving for a while. However, after a period of happiness the abuse happens again. Meanwhile, your teenager may feel isolated from friends and emotionally dependent on the relationship. Most begin believing they would be completely alone without the other person.
Signs of Abusive Teen Dating Relationships
As a parent, there are several warning signs you can watch for.
- Your teenager stops spending time with friends
- Their moods suddenly change
- They seem more withdrawn or isolated
- Their relationship has very intense highs and lows
- You notice they have frequent arguments followed by apologies
- Your teen becomes secretive about the relationship
- You notice unexplained bruises or injuries
While bruises can happen from sports or accidents, repeated injuries should always be taken seriously.
How Parents Can Help
One of the best things parents can do is stay involved and aware. Encourage your teenager to maintain healthy friendships and spend time with people outside the relationship. Group settings can also help reduce isolation.
Pay attention to changes in your teen’s mood and behavior. If your teenager suddenly seems withdrawn, anxious, or disconnected, it’s worth gently exploring whether the dating relationship could be part of the problem.
Being Aware
Being a parent can feel frightening sometimes. I don’t say this to create fear, but to raise awareness. Abusive teen dating relationships do exist, and they often develop slowly over time. The earlier parents recognize the warning signs, the easier it is to step in and help.
Helping teens grow and families improve connection,
Lauren Goodman, MS, MFT
