College and graduate school can be exciting and transformative times, but they can also come with significant challenges. For many students, it’s the first time living away from home, managing complex schedules, and navigating new social environments. These pressures, combined with the desire to succeed academically, can create a perfect storm for mental health struggles. Dr. Clarke specializes in therapy for university students, and she has worked with them in a variety of environments including:

• University of San Diego College Counseling Center

• University of San Francisco Counseling and Psychological Services

• University of California San Diego’s Center for Healthy Eating and Activity Research (CHEAR)

• Private practice

Common Reasons Students Seek Therapy

Each year in school brings its unique set of challenges. Here are some of the many reasons a student may seek therapy:

• Homesickness

• Academic stress and overwhelm

• Test anxiety

• Difficulty making friends

• Roommate conflict

• Cultural identity exploration

• Greek life/Rush

• Being away from home when family is experiencing a stressor/crisis

• Grief

• Anxiety about studying abroad

• Dating and sex; breakups

• Body image and eating disorders

• Fear of graduating and making post graduate decisions

• Studying for the bar, comprehensive exams, licensing exams, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc

• Looking for a post-graduate job

Homesickness:
Leaving home for the first time can be overwhelming. Many college students experience homesickness as they adjust to a new environment. While homesickness is a normal part of transitioning to college, it can be emotionally draining and affect a student's ability to focus on their academics and enjoy social experiences. Therapy can help students process these feelings and develop coping strategies to adjust to their new independence.

Academic Stress:
The pressure to perform well academically is a major source of stress for many college students. Balancing heavy workloads, exams, and extracurricular activities can lead to burnout, especially if a student is struggling to manage time or set realistic expectations. Therapy can help students build time-management skills, set achievable goals, and address the perfectionism that often contributes to academic anxiety.

Difficulty Making New Friends:
Building new friendships in college can be challenging, especially if students are introverted, shy, or anxious about fitting in. Adjusting to a new social environment can feel daunting, and social isolation can quickly lead to feelings of loneliness. In therapy, students can explore ways to boost their social confidence, overcome barriers to connection, and learn communication strategies that foster healthy relationships.

Anxiety and Depression:
The pressures of college and grad school can trigger or exacerbate anxiety and depression. Anxiety in students may manifest as constant worry about grades, social acceptance, or the future, while depression can show up as feelings of hopelessness, low motivation, and difficulty enjoying daily activities. Therapy provides a supportive environment for students to explore the roots of their anxiety or depression, develop coping mechanisms, and create healthier mental habits to enhance their well-being.

Eating Disorders:
College can be a time when students develop or struggle with eating disorders, such as anorexia, bulimia, or binge eating. These conditions are often tied to underlying issues like perfectionism, low self-esteem, or a need for control, and they can be exacerbated by the pressures of college life. Specialized therapy for eating disorders can help students identify harmful patterns, address body image concerns, and develop healthier relationships with food and self-care.

How Therapy Can Help

Therapy offers a confidential, non-judgmental space where college students can explore their emotions, challenges, and aspirations. Through individual therapy, students can learn healthy coping mechanisms, build resilience, and develop the emotional tools they need to navigate academic life. Whether a student is struggling with homesickness, academic stress, social anxiety, or more serious mental health concerns like depression or eating disorders, therapy can help them regain balance and move forward with confidence.