Are you concerned your child is struggling to make friends in college? While we think of college and university as one of the best times in our lives to meet new people, for some, this period of life can lead to loneliness and isolation. Attending parties, dating and making new friends are supposed to be a natural occurrence for young students, but for many young adults, including college students, social anxiety can get in the way of enjoying the many social opportunities they encounter in school.
Therapy for social anxiety disorder
Social anxiety is a common disorder. Researchers estimate 7.1% of American adults have social anxiety disorder (SAD), and while SAD is treatable, many people do not seek therapy. If you think your child is struggling to make friends or is avoiding dating, working with a therapist can help him or her feel more comfortable in social situations.
Psychotherapy is effective for most people with social anxiety. In therapy, we will learn to identify and reconstruct negative thinking patterns and beliefs. We also develop coping skills as well as confidence in the ability to deal with anxiety-provoking situations.
Under the support and guidance of someone who understands, your child can begin to practice and achieve greater success in navigating new circumstances and social situations while in college. These skills are necessary to develop while navigating life transitions as there will be more to come during college years and after.
Therapy for adjustment
Unfortunately for some students entering college can cause an uncomfortable shift and cause them to shut down. Young adults who used to be social can withdraw, or they can be social at home but not at school.
These students can stop smiling, avoid talking to new people, dating, or attending social events. In these situations, coaching and therapy can help overcome certain difficulties that have come up as they struggle to adjust to a new situation.
Therapy can help young adults learn coping skills and manage uncomfortable emotions. Life transitions such as attending college and entering the workforce naturally bring up feelings of uncertainty and anxiety. however, there are skills and techniques that can be learned in therapy that will not only help in stress management but also encourage excitement and positive feelings toward a bright future.
Therapy in Flower Mound, Texas
Alexandr Philip MA, LPC is a licensed professional counselor in Flower Mound, Texas. If you would like to learn more, you are welcome to call and book your first appointment or fill out the contact form and click Send.