Young Adult Therapy in Venice, FL
Compassionate, evidence-based therapy for young adults aged 18 to 25 at our Venice, Florida office.
Supporting the unique mental health needs of emerging adults navigating identity, independence, and life transitions.
Therapy SRQ provides specialized therapy for young adults aged 18 to 25 at our Venice, Florida office. Christine Murawski, M.A., LMHC works with emerging adults to address the depression, anxiety, identity challenges, and life transitions that are uniquely concentrated during this critical developmental period. Our Venice location at 200 Capri Isles Blvd., Ste. 7G serves young adults throughout Venice, South Venice, Nokomis, Osprey, Englewood, North Port, Warm Mineral Springs, Wellen Park, and the surrounding Gulf Coast communities.
The transition from adolescence to adulthood is one of the most psychologically demanding periods in a person’s life. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that 75% of all lifetime mental health conditions begin by age 24, making the young adult years a critical window for identification and intervention. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 33.7% of young adults aged 18 to 25 experienced any mental illness in 2021 — the highest prevalence of any adult age group. Despite this, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies transition-age youth (16 to 25) as a population that faces significant gaps in mental health service utilization, often falling between systems designed for adolescents and those designed for older adults.
What Is Young Adult Therapy?
Young adult therapy is a form of psychotherapy specifically adapted to the developmental needs of people between 18 and 25. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognizes this stage — often called “emerging adulthood” — as a distinct developmental period characterized by identity exploration, instability, self-focus, feeling in-between, and a sense of expanding possibilities. These are not signs of immaturity; they are normal features of a developmental stage that also happens to carry elevated mental health risk.
At our Venice practice, young adult therapy is different from both adolescent and traditional adult therapy. Young adults are navigating independence for the first time, but many have not yet fully developed the coping skills, support networks, or self-knowledge that come with experience. Therapy provides a confidential, nonjudgmental space to work through challenges related to identity, relationships, career direction, academic pressure, family separation, and the emotional weight of becoming responsible for their own lives.
We use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a primary approach, helping young adults identify the thought patterns and behavioral habits that are contributing to their distress and develop practical strategies for managing anxiety, depression, and stress. We also draw on elements of acceptance and mindfulness-based approaches to help young adults build emotional resilience and self-awareness. For young adults whose challenges are closely tied to family dynamics, we may incorporate family therapy sessions to improve communication and support the transition toward healthy interdependence.
Young adults in the Venice area — whether living at home, attending college, starting their careers, or figuring out their next steps — trust Therapy SRQ because we understand that this life stage comes with its own set of pressures and possibilities, and we meet each person where they are without judgment.
Signs a Young Adult May Benefit from Therapy
Young adults often minimize their own struggles or assume what they are experiencing is just part of growing up. While some stress is expected during this period, the following signs suggest that professional support would be beneficial:
- Persistent anxiety about the future, career decisions, or life direction that interferes with daily functioning
- Depression symptoms including prolonged low mood, loss of motivation, withdrawal from activities, or hopelessness
- Difficulty adjusting to college, a new job, living independently, or other major life transitions
- Relationship challenges — difficulty forming or maintaining friendships, romantic relationships, or healthy boundaries
- Identity confusion or a persistent sense of not knowing who they are or what they want
- Increased substance use as a way of coping with stress, loneliness, or emotional pain
- Academic decline or inability to follow through on goals despite wanting to succeed
- Sleep problems, appetite changes, or chronic fatigue without a medical explanation
- Anger, irritability, or emotional outbursts that are out of proportion to the situation
- Social isolation or pulling away from family and friends
- Feeling stuck, paralyzed by indecision, or unable to move forward with life plans
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicidal ideation — the CDC reports that suicide is the second leading cause of death among 18 to 24 year olds
If you or a young adult in your life is experiencing several of these signs, therapy can provide the tools, perspective, and support needed to move through this period with greater clarity and confidence.
Conditions We Treat in Young Adult Therapy in Venice
Our Venice therapists work with young adults experiencing a range of mental health conditions and life challenges, including:
F41.1 — Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD): Persistent, excessive worry about multiple areas of life — career, relationships, finances, health, or the future — that is difficult to control and causes physical symptoms such as restlessness, fatigue, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
F32.1 — Major Depressive Disorder, Single Episode, Moderate: A depressive episode with symptoms that noticeably interfere with daily functioning, including persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep or appetite.
F43.10 — Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Lasting psychological effects of traumatic experiences — which may include childhood events, sexual assault, accidents, or witnessing violence — manifesting as intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, hypervigilance, and emotional numbing.
F43.21 — Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood: Depressive symptoms that develop in response to a specific life stressor such as leaving home for the first time, a relationship breakup, job loss, academic failure, or a family crisis.
F60.9 — Personality Disorder, Unspecified: Persistent patterns of inner experience and behavior that deviate from expectations and cause significant distress in relationships and self-functioning, often becoming more apparent during the identity-formation pressures of young adulthood.
Z73.0 — Burnout: A state of physical and emotional exhaustion resulting from prolonged stress, often related to academic overload, work demands, caregiver responsibilities, or the cumulative pressure of trying to establish adult life.
Z56.9 — Unspecified Problems Related to Employment: Career-related anxiety, difficulty choosing a direction, job dissatisfaction, workplace interpersonal challenges, or the stress of entering the workforce for the first time.
Each young adult’s treatment plan is individually designed to address their specific concerns, goals, and life circumstances. We work collaboratively with each client — and with family members when appropriate and desired — to build practical skills and lasting emotional resilience.
What age range do you consider "young adult"?
At Therapy SRQ, we work with young adults generally between the ages of 18 and 25, a period that psychologist Jeffrey Arnett and the American Psychological Association (APA) have identified as “emerging adulthood” — a distinct developmental stage between adolescence and full adulthood. This period is characterized by identity exploration, relationship development, career formation, and increasing autonomy. While the specific age range is flexible, the key factor is the developmental stage: young adults in this period are navigating challenges that are different from both teenagers and established adults, and they benefit from a therapeutic approach that recognizes those differences.
What issues do young adults typically bring to therapy?
The most common concerns we see in young adults at our Venice office include anxiety about the future, depression, difficulty with life transitions (leaving home, starting college, entering the workforce), relationship challenges, identity and self-esteem issues, academic or career stress, and family conflict. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that young adults aged 18 to 25 have the highest prevalence of mental illness of any adult age group, yet many in this demographic do not seek help because they believe their struggles are normal or that they should be able to handle things on their own. Therapy provides a structured space to develop the skills and self-understanding that this life stage demands.
Is therapy for young adults different from teen therapy?
Yes, in several important ways. Young adult therapy respects the client’s autonomy — sessions are confidential between the therapist and the young adult, and family involvement happens only with the client’s consent. The content of therapy also shifts to reflect the challenges of emerging adulthood: establishing independence, making career and relationship decisions, developing a stable identity, and managing responsibilities without the structured support systems of adolescence. While we use many of the same evidence-based approaches, including CBT and mindfulness-based techniques, the therapeutic relationship is more collaborative and peer-oriented. Young adults are treated as the primary decision-makers in their own treatment.
I am a college student — can I do therapy at your Venice office during breaks?
Yes. We work with a number of college students who attend sessions at our Venice office during school breaks, summers, or when they are home from school. If you are a student at a nearby institution such as SCF, USF Sarasota-Manatee, New College, or Ringling, you may be able to attend sessions on an ongoing basis. For students who are away at school most of the year, we can structure therapy to provide intensive support during break periods and help you identify campus resources to use while at school. Continuity of care is important, so we work with each student to create a plan that fits their schedule and maximizes the benefit of each session.
Does insurance cover young adult therapy at your Venice location?
Many insurance plans provide coverage for mental health services for young adults. If you are under 26, you may still be covered under a parent’s health insurance plan under the Affordable Care Act. Our Venice office accepts a variety of major insurance providers. We recommend contacting your insurance company to verify your behavioral health benefits, including copays, deductibles, and session limits. Our team can provide the diagnostic and billing codes needed to help you navigate the insurance process. For young adults without insurance or who prefer not to use insurance, we offer self-pay options and can discuss sliding scale arrangements.
Begin Young Adult Therapy in Venice Today
If you are a young adult struggling with anxiety, depression, or the challenges of this life stage, you do not have to figure it all out alone. Our Venice therapy team provides the compassionate, expert support you need to move forward.
Call or text to schedule your appointment today.