Young Adult Counseling
- Anxiety and EMDR specialists for every age and stage
- In-person in New Lenox and telehealth across Illinois
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- No waiting list, and we reply within 24 hours
Reviewed by Jessica Davis, LCPC, Practice Owner · Updated October 2026
Support for anxious thoughts, panic, school stress, and overwhelm
When Being a Young Adult Feels Like Too Much
Young adult counseling is for the season of life that is harder than anyone told you it would be. Your late teens and twenties are supposed to feel exciting, and sometimes they do. But a lot of young adults find this season confusing, exhausting, and nothing like what they expected. You might be navigating college stress, a job that does not feel right, moving back home, a relationship falling apart, or just this quiet but persistent feeling that everyone else has figured something out that you have not. That feeling is more common than you think, and we can help. Early adulthood brings a lot of firsts at the same time: moving out, college or a first career, new relationships and a changing place in your family. It may feel like everyone else has it figured out, but many young adults are working through the same things.
At Davis-Smith Mental Health in New Lenox, IL, we work with young adults who are tired of just getting through it. Maybe anxiety is making it hard to function. Maybe depression has been sitting on top of everything longer than you want to admit. Maybe you genuinely do not know who you are or what you want, and that uncertainty has started to feel suffocating. Whatever brought you here, you do not have to untangle it alone.
Young adult counseling gives you a space to actually talk through what is going on, without judgment, without being told to just push through it, and without feeling like you have to have it all figured out before you walk in. We help young adults build real coping skills, understand the patterns that keep showing up, and start moving toward a version of life that actually feels like their own.
If you are ready to get started, you can learn more about what to expect in counseling, review common questions about therapy, or go ahead and schedule a session with our team.
In-network with
- Aetna PPO
- Cigna / Evernorth
- BCBS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare
- UMR
- Initial assessment $200
- Ongoing sessions $150
Insurance and rates
Insurance Accepted
We work with most major insurance plans and offer self-pay options. We believe quality mental health care should be accessible. Davis-Smith Mental Health is in-network with the following insurance providers.
We also offer self-pay options and can provide a Superbill for out-of-network benefits.
Recognizing When Something Is Not Right
Common Challenges Young Adults Bring to Counseling
Young adults carry a lot. Here are some of the things we help clients work through in young adult counseling most often:
Anxiety and Overthinking
Anxious thoughts that will not quiet down, constant worry about the future, perfectionism that makes it impossible to start anything, or panic that comes out of nowhere. Anxiety in young adults is incredibly common and very treatable with the right support.
Depression and Feeling Stuck
Low motivation, emotional numbness, pulling away from people you care about, or just going through the motions without feeling present. Sometimes depression builds slowly and you do not realize how heavy it has gotten until you are already deep in it.
Life Transitions
Graduating, starting a new job, moving, ending a relationship, figuring out what comes next. Life transitions can feel destabilizing even when they look good on paper. Young adult counseling helps you find your footing when the ground keeps shifting.
Low Self-Esteem and Self-Doubt
Struggling to trust yourself, feeling like you are not doing enough, or comparing your behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel. A lot of young adults carry a harsh inner critic they have never learned to quiet.
Relationship Struggles
Conflict with family, a romantic relationship that is not working, friendships that feel one-sided, or not knowing how to communicate what you actually need. Relationship counseling helps you understand your patterns and show up differently.
Identity and Direction
Feeling unsure about who you are, what you believe, or what you want your life to look like. That kind of uncertainty is normal in your twenties, but it is a lot easier to navigate with support.
Managing Emotions
Big reactions that feel out of proportion, emotions that feel completely shut down, or just not understanding why you respond the way you do. Learning to understand and manage your emotional responses is one of the most valuable things young adult counseling can offer.
Academic and Career Pressure
The pressure to pick the right path, stay on track, and have something to show for it is real. Whether you are in college, just graduated, or somewhere in between, the weight of figuring out your future can be exhausting. Young adult counseling gives you a space to sort through that pressure without judgment.
Social Media and Comparison
Constantly seeing everyone else’s highlight reel makes it easy to feel like you are falling behind. Social comparison, the pressure to present a certain version of yourself online, and the anxiety that comes with it are things a lot of young adults are quietly struggling with right now.
Young adult struggles do not follow one script, and a lot of young adults do not even recognize that what they are experiencing is something therapy can actually help with until someone names it for them.
For some, it shows up in relationships and social situations. The fear of conflict, not knowing how to set boundaries, feeling like a burden to the people around them, or just not knowing who they are anymore. For others, it is more internal. A restlessness they cannot explain, a sense that life should feel more meaningful than it does, or a low-level anxiety that never fully goes away. It can also show up physically, in trouble sleeping, constant fatigue, headaches, or tension that does not seem to have a clear cause.
However, it is showing up for you, it is worth taking seriously. For more information on the mental health challenges common in young adulthood, you can review the American Psychological Association‘s research on young adult well-being.
Unlocking the Power of Therapy
The Impact of Young Adult Counseling
Young adult counseling gives you a real space to slow down, understand what has been going on, and start building the skills to handle it. Here are some of the ways counseling can make a difference:
Building Real Confidence
Moving past self-doubt and starting to trust yourself, your decisions, and your ability to handle what life throws at you
Developing Coping Skills
Not generic advice, but practical tools you can use in real moments when anxiety, stress, or difficult emotions show up.
Understanding Your Patterns
Getting clear on why you keep ending up in the same situations, relationships, or cycles, and learning how to respond differently.
Improving Your Relationships
Communicating more clearly, setting boundaries, navigating conflict, and building connections that actually feel good.
Managing Emotions Effectively
Learning to recognize what you are feeling, understand where it is coming from, and respond in a way that reflects who you actually want to be.
Reducing Anxiety and Overwhelm
Quieting the noise, slowing down the racing thoughts, and building a steadier baseline so daily life does not feel so heavy.
Finding Direction and Purpose
Getting clearer on what you actually want, what matters to you, and what steps make sense for where you are right now.
Finding Direction and Purpose
A lot of young adults come in feeling like they lost themselves somewhere along the way. Counseling helps you find your footing and start building a life that actually feels like yours.
Ready to Start Young Adult Counseling?
Whether you are dealing with anxiety, depression, a major life change, or just a persistent sense that something needs to shift, we are here. Davis-Smith Mental Health offers young adult counseling in New Lenox, IL, with in-person appointments and telehealth available throughout Illinois. You do not have to have the right words when you reach out. You just have to be willing to take that first step.
Dedicated to Your Well-Being
Our Approach to Young Adult Counseling
We do not do one-size-fits-all. Young adults have usually had at least one experience of feeling dismissed, talked over, or handed advice that had nothing to do with their actual life. That is not what happens here.
At Davis-Smith Mental Health, young adult counseling starts with actually getting to know you. Not just the symptoms you walked in with, but who you are, what matters to you, and what has actually been going on beneath the surface. Research from the National Institute of Mental Health shows that young adults are among the most likely age groups to experience mental health challenges, yet among the least likely to seek help. We want to change that for our clients.
We use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and other practical skill-building methods, woven together in a way that fits the individual client. The goal is not just to feel better in the therapy room. The goal is to build enough self-understanding and enough skill, that you can handle the hard moments when they show up outside of it. That is what lasting change actually looks like, and that is what we are working toward together.
We accept most major insurance plans, including Aetna PPO, BCBS PPO, Cigna and Evernorth, UnitedHealthcare, and UMR. You can review insurance and rates on our website or reach out and we will help you figure out your options.
New Client
How getting started works
It can be overwhelming coming to counseling. Here’s every step, from your first call to the sessions that follow.
Step 1
Reach out
Request a session online or call (815) 409-5940 to schedule your first appointment.
Step 2
Fill out your intake forms
Your welcome email has everything. Finish the forms at least 48 hours before your appointment, on a phone, tablet or computer, and share your preferred times and therapist.
Step 3
We check your benefits
If you’re using insurance, we check your benefits before confirming your appointment, so there are no surprises.
Step 4
Your first session
Check in on the iPad in our waiting room. Your therapist walks you through confidentiality, answers your questions, and gets to know you and your goals.
Step 5
Plan next steps together
Most people start with weekly sessions, at least three to build a connection, then adjust together as things improve.
Young Adult Counseling Serving New Lenox and the South Suburbs
We know that when life already feels overwhelming, the last thing you need is to add a long drive to the list. Our New Lenox office is conveniently located for young adults throughout Will County and the south suburbs of Illinois. We work with clients from Frankfort, Mokena, Lockport, Tinley Park, Joliet, Orland Park, Homer Glen, Manhattan, and surrounding communities. Whether you are a young adult ready to take that first step or a parent watching your child struggle and not knowing how to help, we are right here and ready to support you.
In-person and telehealth appointments are available throughout Illinois, so wherever you are, getting started is easier than you might think. If you have a young adult at home who is struggling, our blog post on supporting young adults at home offers practical tips for parents navigating this season.
Personalized care
Licensed, caring therapists
Every therapist on our team works with anxiety. We will match you with the right therapist for you.
Anxiety at the center
Anxiety is the foundation of everything we do.
EMDR-trained care
EMDR helps clients process what talk therapy alone can’t reach.
Every age and stage
From children and teens to young adults and adults.
In-person and telehealth
Our New Lenox office or secure online therapy anywhere in Illinois.
Frequently Asked Questions About Young Adult Counseling
What People Are Saying About Us
5.0 Based on 5 Google reviews
“Davis-Smith Mental Health truly cares about their clients. The therapists are compassionate, skilled, and genuinely committed to helping you grow and heal. It’s clear that Jessica has built a team that shares her values and dedication. Highly recommend to anyone looking for meaningful support and real results.”
Kasia Budyn · Posted on Google
“Jessica provides a safe and welcoming environment for all the teens she sees. She tailors treatment to each teen and is incredibly patient and open to their needs. I have seen first hand the work she does and the connection she has with kids. I cannot recommend her enough as someone who will care for your teen and your family!”
Google User · Posted on Google
“Davis-Smith Mental Health is a trusted resource for providing compassionate, high-quality therapy for teens and emerging adults. I know confidently that clients are supported with empathy, professionalism, and respect. Jessica leads her team with integrity and intention. She clearly prioritizes the well-being of her staff, which allows them to show up fully for the clients they serve. Their commitment to the healing journey is evident in every interaction. I’m grateful to have them as a referral partner and deeply value their work in the mental health community.”
Sherri Wick · Posted on Google
“Jessica is a dedicated therapist and absolutely loves working with teens. You are able to feel the love from the moment you walk through the door. She and her staff will provide a safe and private environment for that one on one attention you deserve.”
Melanie K. Hall · Posted on Google
“Jessica and her team are so passionate and helpful! I would recommend this practice to anyone looking!”
Biljana Krzywinski · Posted on Google
More ways we can help
Other Ways We Help
Anxiety Therapy
Anxiety is the most common reason families come to us, and it’s the foundation of everything we do. Whether your teen is avoiding school, your young adult can’t stop overthinking, or worry has taken over your daily life, we can help. Our therapists use CBT and EMDR to help clients understand what’s driving their anxiety and build real tools to manage it.
Teen Anxiety Counseling
The teen years are when anxiety tends to hit the hardest. School pressure, social stress, comparison, and the weight of figuring out who they are can leave teens feeling overwhelmed and stuck. We work with teens to understand what’s behind the anxiety and give them real skills they can actually use, at school, at home, and in the moments that feel like too much.
EMDR Therapy
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is one of the most effective approaches available for anxiety, trauma, and overwhelming emotions. It works by helping the brain reprocess difficult memories and experiences that are keeping you stuck. Our EMDR-trained therapist works with teens, young adults, and adults.
Depression Therapy
Depression and anxiety often show up together. If your teen has lost interest in things they used to enjoy, is sleeping too much or too little, or seems hopeless about the future, therapy can help. We work with clients to find what’s underneath the depression and build a path forward that actually feels possible.
Trauma Counseling
Trauma is one of the most common drivers of anxiety in teenagers and young adults. It doesn’t always look like what you’d expect. It can show up as constant worry, anger, trouble concentrating, or emotional shutdown. Our therapists help clients work through trauma at their own pace, in a space where they feel safe.
Emotional Regulation
When anxiety runs high, emotions feel unmanageable. Some children, teens, and adults feel everything. Small frustrations become explosions. Sadness becomes despair. We help clients understand their patterns and develop strategies for handling intense feelings without shutting down or lashing out.
Relationship Counseling
Anxiety doesn’t just affect the person experiencing it. It changes how they show up in every relationship. We help teens, young adults, and adults work through the ways anxiety and other challenges are impacting their connections with family, friends, and partners.
Life Transitions
Starting high school. Leaving for college. A new job, a divorce, a move. Life transitions can trigger anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, even when the change is something you wanted. We help clients work through the uncertainty and build confidence in who they’re becoming.
Learn More About Young Adult Counseling
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You don’t have to figure this out alone
If something told you to keep reading this far, trust that feeling. Whether it’s for yourself, your teen, or your young adult, the hardest part is deciding to start. We are here when you are ready.
there is courage in change ♥
- Anxiety specialists for children, teens, and adults
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- In-network with Aetna, BCBS, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare and UMR
- Telehealth anywhere in Illinois
- In-person in New Lenox
- EMDR therapy for anxiety and trauma
- A small team, by design
- There is courage in change
