Counseling for College and Graduate Students

at Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids

Counseling for College and Graduate Students
In Grand Rapids, MI and West Michigan At Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids, MI

Do these concerns sound familiar to you?

“I didn’t realize that moving out was going to be so hard. Nobody taught me how to be an adult and now all of a sudden I’m expected to know how to budget, have a perfect diet, manage my time and file taxes?”

“I’m really struggling to make new friends or connect to people. Everyone is either too young, too old, too busy, or too different and I’m not sure how to make lasting connections.”

“I was always good at academics in high school, but all of a sudden I’m failing classes and I’m scared to tell my parents.”

If so, read on! For students coming straight out of high school, college is the first real taste of freedom and independence. A chance to grow and learn and define their identities as fully-fledged adults!

For returning students who may have had some years in between high school and seeking higher education, college may be a time of rebirth or reinvigoration – a path to a brighter future!

As exhilarating as college life can be, it also poses a variety of unique challenges across the lifespan. It’s common to feel unprepared for the challenges of college – barely hanging on to a life raft in a hurricane at sea.

At Health for Life in Grand Rapids, working with our counselors can feel like finding the eye of the storm – a respite from the chaos of college life where you can find the support, guidance, and resources you need to take on challenges like:

  • Relationship difficulties: Many college and graduate students begin to pursue serious romantic relationships. When a relationship ends or doesn’t go as expected, this can send most people into a possible crisis.
  • Depression and Anxiety that begins during college or graduate school.
    • Test-taking issues
    • Social anxiety
    • Depression from an unexpected event or troubles connecting college to career
    • Worries about money and student debt
  • “Adulting” or Life Skills
    • Time Management: establishing a consistent, manageable schedule and rhythm
    • Financial: budgeting, student debt issues
    • The adjustment of living away from home for possibly the first time.
    • Health: a healthy diet, sleep schedule, exercise, hygiene and grooming
  • Navigating the Transition into College Student Life
    • Choice Paralysis – Total freedom, so many choices!
    • Homesickness
    • Grief and Loss
    • Exposure to new ideas, ways of living or people that may cause conflict or discomfort.
    • Trauma or family issues that are holding you back
  • Social Difficulties
    • Identity development
    • Peer pressure – hazing, drugs and alcohol, partying
    • Difficulty making friends or fitting in
    • Discrimination, microaggressions, racism, or feeling like an outcast because of your religious or political beliefs
  • The Quarter-Life Crisis that can occur during college or graduate school.

If you are a college or graduate student who is facing challenges in any area of your life, it is important to seek help before things get worse or spiral. Working on your mental health before things get bad can be very helpful

Grand Rapids, MI is home to many college and university campuses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Health for Life Counseling’s location in Grand Rapids and on the border of Ada, MI, and Grand Rapids is only a 5-10 minute drive from most of the collegiate centers in the Grand Rapids area. The good news is that all of our therapists are able to provide both in-person and online counseling.

If you are interested in trying out therapy, you can give Health for Life Counseling Grand Rapids a call for a complimentary 15-minute consultation at 616-200-4433.

The good news is that the research is clear: Counseling (aka psychotherapy) has been proven to work in the overwhelming majority of cases. When there are difficulties, the literature recommends counseling combined with psychopharmacology or a treatment team.

Here is a short list of the institutions of higher education in the Grand Rapids, MI area:

Grand Valley State University

GVSU- Eberhard Center

Grand Rapids Community College

Kendall College of Art and Design (Ferris State- Grand Rapids Campus)

Aquinas College

Calvin University

Central Michigan University, Grand Rapids Campus

Compass College of Cinematic Arts

Western Michigan University, Grand Rapids Campus

Cornerstone University

Davenport University

Davenport University W. A. Lettinga Campus

Ferris State University, Grand Rapids

Grace Christian University

Kuyper College

Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Secchia Center

Ross College

Counseling for College and Graduate Students

Megan Drizin

Telehealth Counseling for Women, Moms, and Couples

Jennifer McKinstry

Counseling and EMDR Therapy for Trauma, Depression, Anxiety, and Spiritual Issues

Brittani Decess

Counseling through a trauma-informed, inclusive, and equitable lens for individuals, relationships, and families.

Lindsey Beaver

Trauma Informed Counseling & EMDR for Children, Teens, Young Adults and Adults

Taylor Mize

Empowering Survivors to Heal and Use Their Voice

Maxwell Schuiteman

EMDR, Strengths-Based, and Relational Therapy for Adults: Relationships, Men’s Issues, Trauma, etc.

Sarah Denick

Counseling & EMDR Therapy for Individuals, Families, Couples, Teens and Children

Kelly Benzin

Therapy from an Intersectional Systems and Holistic Lens

Josh Zheng

Empowering Counseling for All, EMDR Therapy, Internal Family Systems Therapy for all ages.

Kori Crask, LMSW

Trauma-Informed Counseling and EMDR Therapy for long-term healing

Kathryn Barcelona

Therapy for adults and families struggling with depression, anxiety, issues, substance use recovery, etc.

Paul Krauss – Clinical Director

Counseling, EMDR Therapy, & Solutions

Shanna Beebe

A non-judgemental space for deep healing from trauma, abuse, and relationship wounds.

Natalie Julien

Trauma Therapy and Counseling for Women and Children

Gabby Cook

Compassionate, Trauma-Informed Therapist for Adults on their Path of Self-Discovery and Growth

Melodie Whitmore

Trauma-Informed Counseling and EMDR therapy for Women and Young Adults

Michael Egan

Counseling that Empowers and Strengthens You

Billie Walters

Intuitive Counseling, EMDR Therapy, and Reiki

Katy Jaramillo

Counseling and Art Therapy for Adults and Teens: Empowerment and Healing from Medical and Neurological Trauma + Existential Concerns

Melissa Wade

Strengths-Based, Solution Focused, and Resilience Therapies for Families, Children, Teens, and Individuals

Kay Foster

Inclusive therapy, trauma-informed counseling, and sex-related concerns.

Joshua Nave

EMDR Therapy for Anxiety, Trauma, and Minority Groups

Brendan Cole

Counseling and EMDR for Adolescents, Teens and Adults

Caley Weisgerber

Compassionate and Empowering Therapy for Deep Healing

K’Quiana Griffin-Knowling

EMDR, Empowerment, and Healing for all

Margie Muñoz

Trauma Informed Counseling, Mindfulness-Based, and EMDR Therapy for Children, Teens, and Adults

Elif Piromari

Strengths-Based and Trauma-Informed Therapy for Young Adults, Adolescents, and Children

Nicole Cass

Creative Solutions and Trauma-Informed Counseling for Couples, Adults, Children, and Teens

Find Our Offices!

Grand Rapids, MI

Ada, MI