Crooked River Counseling Services

Young Adult & College Student Counseling

Are you struggling to adjust to college or working full time?
Have you had a hard time figuring out how to “adult”?
Is the stress of juggling work, school and a social life too much?
You are not alone.
I can help.

College Student & Young Adult Counseling Akron

Maybe you had the expectations that college would be an easier adjustment than it was. Going from high school to college can be a real challenge. In college you have a lot more stress, higher stakes and constant fear of failure. Maybe you thought it would be all about making new friends, trying new experiences and learning new things. Then at some point it began to feel less exciting and more stressful.  Maybe you’ve been crippled by anxiety or have found it really hard to put yourself out there and make new friends.  You’ve noticed negative thoughts going around and around in your head that you can’t seem to turn off.  To put it simply: you are not living your best life.

College and young adulthood is a big adjustment period in a person’s life.  You are still establishing your own identity in the midst of pressure put on you by family, yourself and society. You are expected to choose a future profession, navigate adult relationships and independently meet your own needs.  It makes sense that many college students seek the support of therapy. An experienced therapist who understands campus culture and young adulthood can provide you with a safe space to explore your feelings and help you make the most of your college experience while also setting you up for success after graduation.

Common Reasons College Students Come to Therapy

  • Test anxiety
  • Social Anxiety
  • Generalized Anxiety
  • Panic Attacks
  • Relationship Issues
  • Trauma
  • Depression
  • Sexual Assault
  • Identity Issues
  • Career Counseling
  • Grief
  • Life Transitions
  • Relationship Problems
  • Spiritual Questioning
  • Uncertainty about the future
  • Concerns about Life Post-Graduation
  • Adjustment Issues
  • Isolation

Every college student’s journey is going to be different.  Regardless of what your specific reason for coming to counseling is, I encourage you to reach out.  Let’s talk about how I might be able to help you both thrive during your college career and also prepare for entering the workforce after graduation.

 

Counseling Can Help You Through a Variety of Difficult Situations

  • Adjusting to living on your own for the first time
  •  Feeling of homesickness
  • Managing a new schedule and workload
  • Experiencing conflict with your roommate(s)
  • Struggling to make new friends
  • Feeling overwhelmed about budgeting, financial aid, or student loans
  • Feeling depressed, anxious, or hopeless about the future
  • Going through a tough breakup
  • Feeling pressured to heavily drink or do drugs to fit in with others
  • Guidance for life after college 

My Approach to Therapy for College Students

Young adults and college students are the largest demographic I serve. I immensely enjoy working with this population. I typically take a person centered approach to treating my college students. I believe the key to therapy is a strong therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client. Trusting your therapist is key if you want to make any progress! I find that my young adult and college students relate to me because I am just one step ahead of you. I am a young adult myself and I can still remember how hard adjusting to college and adulthood was! 

What are the advantages to seeing a mental health professional off campus?

Privacy: Often times, privacy is the main reason students look for counseling and therapy services off campus. My office has a much lower likelihood that you will run into someone you know. 

Counselor Connection: Some students have difficulty connecting with the therapist provided in their colleges counseling services office. Often times you will only have one counselor to choose from or you will be counseled by interns who are graduate students and not licensed yet. 

Therapist Experience: If you are looking for a counselor with the experience in treating young adults you have come to the right place. Not only has my main clientele been young adults the past few years, I also can remember what is was like to adjust from being an adolescent to a young adult. 

Statistics on College Students:

27% of college students have been diagnosed with depression

57.7% of students have felt “overwhelming anxiety” in the past year

39% of all students in the US report dealing with some kind of mental illness

64% of students dropout of college because of mental health problems

Only 9% of college students in the United States decide to seek professional help about their mental health issues

Counseling for College Students in Akron Ohio

My counseling office is located at 1650 W Market Street, Akron OH 44313 conveniently located near the University of Akron, Kent State University, Walsh University, Stark State and Cuyahoga Community College, campuses. 

Still Unsure If You’re Ready For Counseling?

I know it can feel scary to come in for counseling.  Especially if it is your first time going to therapy!  I promise I will make the process as easy and painless as possible for you. Please consider checking out my frequently asked questions page or contact me with other questions, I am here to help!

College adjustments are not the only thing counseling can help with. 

As a mental health therapist, I can also help you to stop struggling with anxious and depressive thoughts, cope with the stressors of college and young adulthood and begin to life your best life.  I am passionate about my work with individuals who are teens, college students and young adults. I am an ally of the LGBTQ+ and my office is a safe space for all queer and questioning clients. 

Are you ready to take the next step?

If you are looking for a counselor in Akron, OH, I can help. My name is Allyssa Dziurlaj and I am passionate about my work as a mental health therapist. We can set up an appointment for you to begin counseling today!

 

Resources For Young Adults:

24/7 Crisis Hotline: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline Network

1-800-273-TALK (8255)

SAMHSA Treatment Referral Hotline (Substance Abuse)

1-800-662-HELP (4357)