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How Therapy Can Help College Students Thrive




College can be a wonderful yet challenging time filled with personal growth and significant life changes. While you might think therapy is only necessary during major crises, it can be incredibly beneficial at any time, especially during the college years. Here’s how therapy can help you navigate the complexities of college life.


1. Coping with Homesickness in College

Homesickness is common in college students, with research indicating that 94% experience it at some point. Suddenly being away from family, pets, and your hometown can be overwhelming.

Signs of Homesickness:

  • Disrupted sleep

  • Headaches

  • Dizziness

  • Difficulty making friends

  • Struggles to adjust to a new environment

Therapy can provide coping skills to manage homesickness, address related depression, and offer a supportive person to talk to during this transition.

2. Navigating Adulthood Transitions

College marks a significant shift towards independence. You're making your own decisions and taking full responsibility for your life. Therapy can ease this transition by providing guidance and a safe space to express your feelings.

3. Managing Social Anxiety

College introduces new social scenarios that can trigger anxiety. Whether it’s attending parties, joining clubs, or making new friends, these situations can be daunting.

Therapy can help you develop social skills, reduce anxiety, and build confidence in new social settings. If you’re struggling with social anxiety, this blog can help.

4. Handling Academic Stress and Deadlines

College often comes with increased academic pressure and less hand-holding than high school. This can highlight gaps in time management and stress handling skills.

Therapy can teach you how to break down tasks, avoid procrastination, and manage anxiety related to academic workload. For tips on succeeding in a new semester, click here.

5. Developing Coping Skills and Self-Care Practices

Being away from familiar support systems means finding new ways to manage stress and emotions.

Therapy can introduce effective coping mechanisms, help you establish a support network, and explore new hobbies. This will help you create a balanced and fulfilling college life.

6. Having a Safe Space to Talk

Sometimes, it’s hard to discuss personal struggles with parents, roommates, or friends. Therapy offers a confidential environment to vent and work through challenges without judgment.

Regular therapy sessions can help process stress and emotions, making college life more manageable.

Considering therapy in college? It might be beneficial to try a session and see how it can support your well-being.


Mary Willoughby Prentiss is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia who provides online therapy for Willow Tree Healing Center. She enjoys transforming the lives of women, college students, kids, tweens/teens, and families through providing communication strategies, coping skills that work, allowing a safe space to be heard, and actively working towards helping you with your challenges. She is certified in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (ages 2-7) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, counsels substance abuse in teens and adults, and practices Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy.

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