Ashley Acle, MFT, MBA, LMFT

College is an exciting time, full of learning, new opportunities, friendships and self-discovery. For many college students, it can also be overwhelming, stressful, isolating and uncertain. Managing academics, social life, greater levels of independence and figuring out future plans can be a lot to juggle. This can lead to mental health struggles, feelings of insecurity and burn out that are often overlooked. This is where therapy for college students can be very beneficial.

Common Issues & Opportunities for Growth Students Face

College life can come with many pressures. These can affect college students in a variety of ways, including mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually and in their relationships.

Academic Stress & Pressure

There is a lot of academic stress and pressure to do well in classes, manage assignments, meet deadlines and get the most out of the academic experience of being a college student. Many students face anxiety about academic performance and fear of failure. Some students compare themselves to others, isolate when they’re having a hard time and feel like imposters who don’t measure up no matter their successes. These pressures may be magnified for first-gen college students, students of color, international students, LGBTQ+ students, and students with marginalized identities.

Loneliness & Isolation

While college is often a time for building new and lifelong friendships with other students in similar life stages, it can also be a time of loneliness and social isolation. Many students, particularly those living away from home for the first time, experience homesickness and loneliness. Living with other students can create an easily accessible, shared sense of community, yet it’s not without hiccups. It often takes time for students to adjust to the environment and shared space. Some students may experience social anxiety or stimulation overload. Complicated dynamics with roommates can also contribute to difficulties and social isolation.

Financial Strain

College is an investment of time and money. Managing finances and paying for college, even with financial help from family and social supports, can be stressful. Students may interact with their personal and family’s financial details for the first time while preparing college and scholarship applications. Handling student loans and financial aid reviews can contribute to anxiety and financial strain. Balancing part-time job with studies can be needed yet also anxiety-provoking.

If money was a topic of conflict or not discussed growing up, financial strain can be very jarring. It can feel overwhelming, spark fears, and strain existing relationships with resources. Some students face multi-layered stress in navigating finances and these challenges alone. First-gen college students, international students, students who grew up without the resources they needed, and students cutoff from family may benefit from additional mental health support in navigating these challenges.

Romantic Relationships, Sexuality & Sexual Orientation

For many, college is also a time of navigating romantic relationships, sexuality and sexual orientation. College students may be exploring what types of relationships they like, relationship boundaries, and what is important to them. Exploring who they are attracted to, how they express their attraction, and desires are also common in early adulthood. Students have opportunities to understand expressions of affection they enjoy (if any), love languages, communication and attachment styles.

Exploring Gender Expression & Identity

Opportunities for exploring gender expression and identity are also present in college. For some, college marks the first opportunity to explore gender in a more open, supportive and affirming environment. Gender studies courses, critical theories questioning the gender binary, conversations and reflections on internalized assumptions can spark new perspectives. College campuses with gender-affirming practices and policies can be safe-havens for more expansive gender expression and identity solidification. Connection with on-campus LGBTQ+ groups, student organizations can foster a sense of belonging and community within safe spaces.

Mental Health Issues among College Students

Struggling with mental health is a common experience. Here are a few types of mental health and related issues that college students face:

• Anxiety, panic attacks, stress
• Depressed mood, low self-esteem, loneliness
• Perfectionism, self-criticism
• Eating disorders, difficulties with food/body image and/or exercise
• Alcohol and/or substance use
• Trauma
• Changing identity, identity exploration, sexuality & gender expression
• Adjusting to college life, working, and independent living
• Forming friendships, navigating intimate relationships
• Complex family dynamics, distance/closeness, conflict
• Financial strain, financial independence & responsibility
• Social & peer pressure
• Low motivation, difficulty focusing, restlessness
• Time blindness, management, planning, organizing & executive functioning

How Therapy Can Help College Students

A Safe Space

Therapy for college students is a powerful tool for mental health & addressing life challenges in a safe space. Therapists create a private, confidential and non-judgmental space for students to openly talk about their struggles, concerns, and feelings. This space can assist students in understanding patterns in their lives and create changes.

Breaking Down Mental Health Stigma

Stigma is a very real barrier to accessing therapy and specialty mental healthcare, like anxiety therapy for BIPOC. Therapy is a meaningful place to discuss the stigmas that have stuck with us about mental health. Therapy can be a place to share our hesitations and concerns about having mental health challenges and seeking help. This process ultimately helps us to unpack the loadedness of mental health stigma. In doing so, we allow for relief and healing interactions that promote health.

Demystifying Mental Health

Many of us spend a lot of time on social media. It keeps us connected to our world, friends, family, and people we admire. Though social media can offer connection, it’s often an unreliable source of education about mental health. Talking directly with a therapist about your mental health concerns can prevent mental health myths and confusion. Many therapists educate clients on common struggles like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders and, by doing so, normalize the experience of struggling with mental health.

Developing Coping Strategies

Therapy can be a space to learn about your coping skills, evaluate their effectiveness, and develop new ones. Depending on your needs and reasons for therapy, these may focus on managing stress, anxiety, self-criticism, and other emotions. A variety of coping skills and supportive practices in alignment with your values can help during challenging moments.

Cultivating Self-Awareness

Cultivating self-awareness can be difficult, especially in our fast-paced world where we’re often driven by external motivators. Therapy helps students gain awareness of their own experiences, their emotions and their behavioral patterns. Therapy can also help us understand who we are and how we relate to others. This improved self-awareness can facilitate decision-making and emotional regulation, two resources that can help during college and beyond.

Support for Major Transitions

A lot of change happens when we’re in college. Talking with a licensed therapist can be supportive for navigating these major changes with less stress, pain and emotional distress. Therapy is not intended to replace our friendships, but rather to supplement new and existing support. Therapists can help us expand our social support networks, connect with friends, mentors, family and professors who care about us. With this abundance of support, college students are better able to adjust to new environments, relationships, responsibilities and life goals.

Enhanced Success & Well-Being

When we address mental health, we’re better equipped to work with ourselves and accommodate our needs to be successful. Therapy can improve focus, concentration, how we treat ourselves and respond when we’re going through difficult moments. It can also enhance our creativity, vision, internal motivation and groundedness. This can lead to better academic performance, greater levels of resilience, connection to more resources and improved well-being.

Where College Students Can Find a Therapist

Finding the right therapist for you is an essential step toward effective therapy and better mental health. As you’re looking for a therapist, think about what type of support you need. Do you need someone who is skilled in therapy for a specific issue, like depression? Are you comfortable talking with someone via video or do you prefer in-person therapy? Is it important that your therapist have a specific training background? Do you want to work with a therapist who has one or multiple shared identities with you?

These are a few places college students can look to find a therapist who understands their experiences.

On-Campus Counseling Centers

Often called “Counseling & Psychological Services” (CAPS), these centers offer free or low-cost counseling services to students. More information about CAPS is often available through the college health center or the university’s website. Some college counseling centers may be limited to a certain number of sessions per year or a specific type of provider.

Community Health Centers and Clinics

These local mental health clinics and community health organizations provide affordable therapy through sliding scale fees based on income. Some community clinics offer multiple services in one location, like psychiatric appointments and group therapy. Community-based care can be a good option for students with limited financial resources or those who prefer an off-campus provider. Services through community health clinics may require in-person attendance. Check with your local health clinic for more details.

Private Practice Therapists

Private Practice Therapists are therapists who work independently or as part of a group. These therapists deliver therapy and specialized care in-person, hybrid or via telehealth. Some private practice therapists have sliding scale fees based on income and need, accept treatment assistance funds, or insurance. Telehealth with a private practice therapist can be a good option if you live and attend school in different states, if the provider is licensed in both. This can offer convenience and continued care.

Peer Support Groups

These groups, typically led by students with mental health training, provide mental health support to folks navigating similar experiences. For those nervous about individual therapy, these groups can be a way to engage in a lower-pressure care environment. As a supplement to therapy, it can also be a space to practice skills you’re learning.

University Health Insurance Plans

University Health Insurance Plans may cover therapy or mental health services on-campus or with nearby providers. If your college has a health insurance plan, contact your health center or insurance office to explore options available.

Reminders about Mental Health

Challenges in college do not have to be faced alone. Therapy can help college students navigate the pressures of academic life, financial strain, social dynamics and relationships. Therapy can also help promote your personal growth and emotional well-being.

Remember, therapy isn’t just for the times when things are unbearable, it’s a valuable tool for managing stress, building resilience and connection.

If you are a college student feeling overwhelmed, lost or struggling, reach out for help. This important step can move toward better mental health, better life-work balance, and life in alignment with your values.

Seeking therapy is a sign of strength, not weakness. Everyone deserves the support they need to grow, thrive, and have a fulfilling college experience.

Therapy for College Students in California, Pennsylvania & North Carolina

We help college students who live and go to school in California, Pennsylvania & North Carolina, delivering specialized therapy for anxiety, depression, life transitions, ADHD, stress, relationship & food/body issues.

If you’re in one of these states or someone who moves between one or more of them, we may be a good fit.

Take the next step to work together!

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Check out our article on what to expect in the initial consultation and first therapy session.