Therapy for College Students: Managing Stress & Transitions

By Fabienne Bain, Ph.D.

Choosing a college is often the first major adult decision a teen is asked to make. It comes with excitement, pressure, and a surprising amount of emotional weight. For many students, this transition represents independence, identity formation, and the fear of “getting it wrong,” all wrapped into one decision.

For parents, it can feel just as intense: wanting to guide without steering, support without projecting, and trust that your teen is finding their own voice. Therapy can be a valuable support for both teens and their parents as they learn to manage emotional stress while navigating this transition with clarity and confidence.

The Anxiety of Picking a College

College decisions often trigger anxiety because they feel permanent even though, in reality, they’re rarely final. Teens may worry about academics, social life, finances, or how their choice compares to their peers.

Helpful ways to reduce anxiety during this stage include:

In-person visits: Walking a campus, sitting in a classroom, or imagining daily life there can make the choice feel more real and less abstract.
Connecting with a current student: Hearing firsthand experiences provides social proof and helps teens envision themselves in that environment.
Following schools on social media: While not a substitute for lived experience, this can help teens get a sense of campus culture, activities, and values.

Therapy can help teens slow down anxious thinking, separate facts from fears, and focus on what actually matters to them rather than what feels overwhelming in the moment.

Navigating Other People’s Opinions (and Remembering Their Own Voice)

Once college conversations begin, opinions tend to multiply. Family members, friends, teachers, guidance counselors, and even acquaintances may feel compelled to weigh in which can be helpful sometimes, and sometimes not.

A key skill for teens during this time is learning how to filter advice without losing confidence. Encourage them to identify a small “inner circle” of 3–4 people they trust to help them navigate big decisions. These should be people who:

Are trustworthy
Allow the teen to have a voice
Offer opinions that are respected and valued

For unsolicited advice, it’s okay to give teens permission to say “Thank you” without engaging further. They do not owe anyone an explanation or debate. Choosing a college is personal, and they can opt out of some or all of the surrounding noise.

It’s also completely normal for teens to compare themselves to peers. Therapy helps normalize this comparison while gently reframing it while reminding students that college is about experience and growth, not brand names or prestige alone.

How Parents Can Support the Decision-Making Process

One of the most powerful things parents can do is pause and recognize this moment for what it truly is: an achievement. Reaching this milestone, when your teen is preparing to graduate and make plans for the future, is not something to be taken for granted. Not every family gets to this point, particularly when a teen has meaningful choices ahead of them. This is a moment to feel proud of the support, care, and guidance you have provided to help your teen arrive here.

Support during this stage often looks like helping them reflect on what matters most to them, whether that’s their intended major or areas of interest, the location and distance from home, financial considerations, or the overall campus culture and lifestyle. Parents can also help teens learn how to balance competing priorities without rushing the process, while validating their intuition along the way. That intuition may come from a campus visit, a conversation with a current student, or simply how a place felt. Learning to trust it is an important part of developing confidence and independence.

It’s also important for parents to remain mindful of their own college experiences. What worked (or didn’t) for you may not be what your teen needs. Therapy can help families navigate these conversations without pressure, guilt, or projection while keeping the focus on the teen’s goals, not the parent’s past.

When the Stress Becomes Too Much

Some stress is expected. But when college anxiety becomes consuming, it may be time for additional support.

Common signs include changes in behavior such as:

Frequent arguments with your teen about college and the application process
Your teen delays applying or taking steps to start the college application process
Completely avoiding conversations about college altogether
Hyper-fixating on the college decision
Difficulty sleeping
Becoming more withdrawn
Pulling away from friends or activities they once enjoyed

Therapy can help teens develop coping strategies, regulate emotional distress, and regain perspective, especially when stress begins to interfere with daily life. It can also provide parents with practical tools to better support their teen through this challenging process.

Therapy Support for Teens and Young Adults Navigating College Transitions

If your teen or young adult is feeling overwhelmed by the college decision process or the transition into independence, therapy can provide meaningful support. At The Bain Health and Wellness Center in Arlington, MA, we offer both in-person and virtual therapy for teens and young adults across Massachusetts. Our experienced therapists work with clients navigating anxiety, stress, life transitions, identity development, and decision-making, using evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual. We’re here to listen, normalize the challenges of this stage, and help your child build confidence as they take their next steps. If you’d like to explore whether therapy could be a helpful fit, we invite you to reach out and start the conversation.