Therapy for Ambitious Professionals
What It Feels Like to Be a Young Professional Today
Being a young professional today can feel exciting, overwhelming, and exhausting all at once. Maybe you’ve found yourself wondering, “How do I️ get off life’s hamster wheel?” but no matter what you do, not finding the relief you desire? You've taken vacations. Used your PTO. Had countless "aha" moments about what needs to change. Yet somehow you always find yourself back in the same cycle. You may feel stuck in patterns of chronic stress, career indecision, or relationship indecision you feel too overwhelmed to address.
When You’re Not Sure if You’re Living Life the “Right Way”
What I️ find working with many folks that are finishing school, building their own business, or working in corporate America is that they are struggling to find the balance they desire. They have worked hard to build a life they dream of, but the reality seems to fall short from the life they had envisioned. Life feels like it’s running them instead of them running their lives, and they aren’t sure how to get it back. They report landing their dream job or building their dream company, and yet they tell me how chronically overwhelmed they feel and oftentimes unsure if they are living their life “the right way”. They have accomplished a lot, but sometimes feel empty or uncertain what’s next. In addition, comparison can creep in and sap the joy of what they have right in front of them. Many of their friends are getting engaged, buying homes, having children, getting promotions, or starting a business and sometimes they question if they can keep up and struggle to not compare their timeline to those around them.
Navigating Career & Relationship Uncertainty and Indecision
Young Professionals tend to be extremely ambitious and struggle with things I️ specialize in like burnout, perfectionism and anxiety. With this can come hesitation about career decisions, avoidance of necessary workplace conversations, and sometimes struggles navigating workplace social dynamics. Many of my clients are also navigating struggles with dating, indecision about current romantic relationships, friendships changing, and setting boundaries both personally and professionally. Whether they are struggling in the workplace, at home, or both, these are all things I️ work with clients to find the answers to.
Getting What You Want Outside of Work
Many young professionals are struggling to find the time to think more critically about where they are going, what is their purpose, how they feel about their relationships, and if they are actually building the life they want outside of work. Their career drains them of so much energy, they find it hard to create space in their lives for reflection, learning from experiences, and celebrating milestones. They sometimes are functioning well on the outside, but feel empty, lonely or hollow on the inside. I️ do a lot of work with clients regarding creating deeper meaning using and help clients identify their internal values and ensure they are honoring those values as they navigate life inside and outside the workplace. That way life isn’t only a bout external success, but internal purpose and fulfillment.
The Impact of Therapy When You Struggle With Work-Related Issues
Being a young professional can sometimes feel lonely because you don’t want to share every detail of your work-related issues with family or friends, so you are left struggling internally with no outlet except potentially water cooler talk. I️ work with young professionals to partner with them in understanding the details and nuance of their workplace stress, issues and workplace culture and expectations. Advice like "just set boundaries" often sounds simple until you're working in a demanding industry, reporting to a difficult manager, or navigating a workplace culture that rewards constant availability. Together, we'll develop strategies that are realistic for your specific situation—not generic advice that doesn't fit your life.
Working Together, We Can Find a Strategy That Sticks
I️ find young professionals who work with me feel a lot less overwhelmed just knowing they have an outlet of someone trustworthy to talk to about these challenges, and I️ work with professionals across a variety of demanding careers in Orange County and Irvine, California. Carving out the time to talk things through in detail, but weigh the pros vs. cons, test out different communication styles, and problem solve strategically how they can approach each situation makes a world of difference. Having me in their corner who deeply cares about their success and helps them build a life they actually can enjoy is extremely empowering and hope-filled.