Therapy for Young Adults in Their 20s in Vancouver
Feeling lost in your twenties doesn’t mean you’re doing life wrong.
It often means you’re in a real period of growth — one that doesn’t come with a clear roadmap.
I work with many young adults in their 20s who feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or quietly anxious about their lives. They often come to therapy feeling pressure to have everything figured out — their career, relationships, identity, and future — while internally questioning almost all of it.
Therapy offers a space to slow down, reflect, and make sense of this stage of life without rushing yourself toward answers you’re not ready for.
Why Your Twenties Can Feel So Hard
Your twenties are full of transition. You may be:
leaving school or changing careers
navigating dating, relationships, or breakups
living independently for the first time
questioning who you are and what you want
comparing yourself to others who seem more certain
Many people in their 20s find themselves asking:
Who am I, really?
Am I on the right path?
Why does everyone else seem to know what they’re doing?
Feeling unsure during this stage of life is common — and often deeply unsettling.
The Pressure to “Figure It All Out”
Many twenty-somethings I work with describe an intense internal pressure to have their future mapped out. They feel they should know exactly what career to pursue, what kind of life they want, and who they are becoming — now.
This pressure can be paralyzing.
Instead of clarity, it often leads to:
anxiety about making the “wrong” choice
depression or emotional numbness
fear of falling behind
diminished self-worth
a relentless inner critic
Social media frequently amplifies this pressure, encouraging constant comparison and reinforcing the belief that everyone else is doing better or moving faster.
This cultural pattern is known as “future scaring” — an overfocus on the future that pulls people away from the present moment and makes their worth feel dependent on outcomes that haven’t even happened yet.
How Therapy Can Help in Your 20s
Therapy during this stage of life isn’t about forcing clarity or rushing decisions.
It’s about creating space to understand yourself more deeply.
In therapy, we may work on:
Clarifying values and priorities
Exploring identity and sense of self
Navigating career uncertainty or transitions
Understanding relationship and attachment patterns
Softening the inner critic
Reducing anxiety and overwhelm
Learning to tolerate uncertainty
Reconnecting with the present moment
Many people find that when they stop trying to “solve” their future, clarity begins to emerge more naturally.
My Approach to Working With Young Adults
I work with the understanding that many struggles in your twenties are not personal failures, but responses to developmental pressure, cultural expectations, and relational dynamics.
Much of my work involves helping clients:
understand where their inner critic comes from
develop a more compassionate relationship with themselves
explore who they are beneath expectations
make choices that align with their values rather than fear
This work isn’t about having all the answers.
It’s about learning how to live well while you’re still asking the questions.
Who I Work With
I support young adults in their 20s who:
feel lost or directionless
are experiencing anxiety or low mood
feel pressure to have life figured out
are navigating career uncertainty
struggle with self-worth or comparison
are questioning identity, values, or purpose
want deeper self-understanding
Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy in Your 20s
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Yes. This stage of life often involves identity development, uncertainty, and major transitions. Therapy can help you navigate this without pathologizing it.
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No. Many people seek therapy to gain clarity, self-understanding, and emotional support — not because something is “wrong.”
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Yes. Therapy can help you explore values, fears, and internal conflicts that often sit beneath career and life decisions.
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Yes. I work with many patients in their 20s who are navigating identity, relationships, anxiety, and uncertainty about the future.
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Yes. I offer online therapy across British Columbia and in-person sessions in Vancouver.
Book Therapy for Your 20s in Vancouver
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, or stuck during this stage of life, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Book a free 15-minute consultation to explore whether therapy feels like the right support for you. Sessions are available in person in Vancouver and online across British Columbia.
If you do not see any appointment times that work for you, please email connect@erinmalki.com, as I may have additional availability on my end.