Sometimes in situations like these, a parent recognizes symptoms that therapy would help before the young adult does. And part of the therapist’s role may be to assist the young adult in exploring issues so that they can understand and engage with treatment.
“We’re seeing a lot of apathy in young adult patients,” says Pete Maclearie, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Manager of Adult Programs at Princeton House’s Eatontown outpatient site. “They have a different world view than older generations, but this age group also has been so bombarded with negative news and social media noise that they tend to just tune things out. It can be a struggle to find motivation or a life trajectory.”
Maclearie recommends first trying to understand their point of view. Choosing a path in life can be scary when all past steps have been chosen for you, particularly when the cost of living on your own has skyrocketed. And the longer this “suspension of adulthood” goes on, the more difficult and uncomfortable it becomes to get started.
He offers this additional advice for providers treating young adults stuck in the status quo:
Create an accepting space that allows patients to drift forward. If the discussion sounds like preaching, they’ll disconnect.
Help them label what they’re feeling and be a realistic sounding board for what makes them feel stuck.
Let them dare to dream. Ask what they would do or be if they had a magic wand that made anything possible. Then identify elements of that vision that may lend themselves to a path forward.
Paint a picture of the future with questions, such as asking about the desire to have a family or a home, and then discuss the steps it might take to get there.
“While life involves sacrifices young adults may be hesitant to make, delayed gratification can lead to greater gains that this age group can’t fathom yet,” says Maclearie. “When we challenge the status quo in subtle ways, we can help ease them into reality and assist them in finding a path they feel passionate about.”
