Meg Jay accurately titled her book The Defining Decade (2012) when she described the multitude of life defining choices young adults are faced with in their twenties. Developmentally, twenty somethings are separating from their family and creating their own identity. Relationships outside the family become more significant and finding work or establishing a career tantamount. This particular generation has been raised during the self-esteem movement. Teachers, parents and other role models may have told them that they are special, talented and can do whatever they dare to dream. Unfortunately, reality can dish out a harsh contradiction to this message with job opportunities being scarce and competition fierce. The anxiety and depression that may result from this can be debilitating to young adults. Add on top of this the pressure to find the right “life partner” and the multitude of possibilities dating internet sites display, and twenty somethings are in a real “Quarter Life Crisis.”
At IRC, we help young adults thoughtfully transition through this difficult time. We support them so they can make choices that are aligned with the identity they are forming and that are in their best interest. Therapy gives young adults a space to pause in and reflect rather than just reacting to the busy life that they feel caught up in.