Emerging Into Adulthood
Young Adulthood Experts in Greenwich, CT
Overview of “Failure to Launch”
“Failure to launch” is a common term for young adults who find the transition from adolescence to emerging adulthood confusing and difficult. Whether it’s moving out of their family home, pursuing higher education, or starting a career, a young person may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unprepared to take independent steps.
Underlying issues like anxiety, depression, executive functioning challenges, or low self-esteem can contribute to this sense of paralysis or avoidance.
Historically, once children turned 18, their healthcare was transferred to them, excluding parents from any involvement. Given that many young adults remain dependent on their parents until around age 30, examining a young person’s developmental history to understand the onset of conditions is crucial.
Put simply, compromised young adults, possibly those with poorly managed conditions like ADHD or generalized anxiety may struggle in college or beyond because they haven’t mastered essential life skills, such as consistent alarm clock use. Failure to grapple with these skills can significantly hinder their success
Support & Treatment for Young Adults Emerging Into Adulthood
Every young person is unique, and so is their treatment journey.
Led by Founder and Director of Greenwich Anxiety, Dr. Matthew Specht, Ph.D., who has spent much of his career focused on transitional-age youth, the team is highly-skilled at helping young adults build confidence, develop life skills, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
To effectively support young adults, we take a comprehensive approach. We consider both their mental health and their developmental stage, understanding that our shared goal is to navigate the challenge of increasing independence. Working alongside parents, learning specialists, other advisors, employers, and others, our compassionate and goal-oriented support helps young adults manage overwhelm and develop the internal motivation and life skills needed to take meaningful steps forward.
In therapy, we work to uncover the underlying issues contributing to this stuckness, and build practical, confidence-boosting strategies to support progress.
Our team walks alongside parents and caregivers, providing expert advice, emotional support, and actionable strategies to help them feel prepared and hopeful about the journey ahead.
