Reasons Adults Come to Therapy
People seek individual therapy for many different reasons. Sometimes there is a specific concern that needs attention. Other times, people simply know that something in their life doesn't feel right.
Our therapists work with adults experiencing concerns such as:
- Anxiety, worry and overthinking
- Depression and low motivation
- ADHD and executive functioning challenges
- Stress and burnout
- Relationship and dating concerns
- Separation, divorce and infidelity
- Grief and loss
- Parenting stress
- Family-of-origin issues
- Low self-esteem and lack of confidence
- People pleasing and difficulty setting boundaries
- Perfectionism
- Career stress and changes
- Major life transitions
- Loneliness and disconnection
- Difficulty regulating emotions
- Feeling stuck or uncertain about what comes next
Therapy provides a place to slow things down, better understand patterns, and explore what may need to change.
How Adult Therapy Can Help
Therapy isn't one-size-fits-all. Our therapists tailor treatment to your concerns, personality, history and goals.
Stress & Anxiety
Anxiety can show up as racing thoughts, excessive worry, irritability, difficulty sleeping, physical tension and feeling as though your mind never turns off.
More about this support
Anxiety can also lead to avoidance or make everyday situations feel harder to manage.
Therapy can help you better understand what contributes to anxiety, recognize patterns in how you respond to stress, and explore practical strategies for managing difficult moments.
Learn more about anxiety therapy.
Depression, Burnout & Motivation
Depression and burnout don't always look like sadness. They may show up as exhaustion, irritability, withdrawal, loss of interest or feeling emotionally flat.
More about this support
Depression and burnout can also affect concentration and make everyday responsibilities feel more difficult.
Therapy can provide space to understand patterns contributing to how you feel and explore practical ways to support motivation, confidence and day-to-day functioning.
Learn more about depression therapy.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
Adult ADHD can affect much more than concentration, including organization, time management, motivation, overwhelm and emotional regulation.
More about this support
Adults may also struggle with procrastination, impulsivity and relationship difficulties.
Therapy can help adults with ADHD better understand how these patterns affect daily life and explore realistic strategies for managing responsibilities, relationships and emotional challenges.
Learn more about ADHD counseling.
Relationships, Boundaries & Communication
You don't have to attend couples therapy to work on relationship issues. Individual therapy can help you better understand your own relationship patterns.
More about this support
Individual therapy can provide space to explore communication, boundaries, dating or marriage concerns, breakups, divorce, and what you want from your relationships.
If you want to work on the relationship together, learn more about couples therapy or marriage counseling.
Life Transitions & Personal Growth
Even positive changes can be stressful. Career changes, marriage, becoming a parent, divorce and other transitions can bring unexpected emotions.
More about this support
Children leaving home, caring for aging parents and other transitions can also raise questions about identity and direction.
Therapy can provide support while you adjust to change, understand what the transition means for you, and consider what you want the next stage of your life to look like.
Self-Esteem & Longstanding Patterns
Sometimes the issue isn't one particular event. You may notice the same patterns appearing repeatedly in your relationships, work or decisions.
More about this support
Therapy can help you explore where those patterns may have developed, understand how they affect you today, and consider different ways of responding.
Our Approach to Adult Therapy
At Hyland & Associates, we believe effective therapy involves more than simply talking about what's wrong.
Our therapists work collaboratively with you to understand your concerns, identify patterns, establish meaningful goals and explore practical strategies that can be used outside of therapy.
Depending on your needs and your therapist's training, treatment may incorporate approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, attachment-based approaches, relationship-focused interventions, emotional regulation skills and other therapeutic methods.
Most importantly, therapy is personalized to you.
How to Get Started With Adult Therapy
Schedule a Consultation
Contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation. We'll learn a little about what brings you to therapy, answer your questions and help determine what type of support may be most appropriate for your needs.
Get Matched With the Right Therapist
We'll help match you with a therapist whose experience, approach and availability fit your needs. Our team works with adults experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship concerns, stress, burnout, life transitions and a variety of other emotional and interpersonal challenges.
Begin Personalized Therapy
Meet with your therapist in our Irvine office or online from anywhere in California. Together, you'll identify your goals, better understand patterns affecting your life, and explore practical tools that support your goals outside of therapy.
Adult Therapy in Irvine & Orange County
Hyland & Associates Counseling Services provides individual adult therapy at our Irvine office for clients throughout Orange County, including Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Costa Mesa, Lake Forest, Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo and surrounding communities.
For clients who prefer the convenience of meeting from home or have difficulty getting to our Irvine office, we also provide online therapy for clients located throughout California.
Our team includes licensed and associate therapists with experience working with adults, couples, families and teens. This allows us to help match clients with a therapist whose background and approach are appropriate for their individual needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Adult Therapy
How do I know if I need therapy?
You don't need to be in crisis or have a specific diagnosis to consider therapy. Many adults begin counseling because they feel overwhelmed, anxious, unhappy, disconnected, stuck in repetitive patterns, or simply know that something in their lives needs attention.
If something is affecting your relationships, work, sleep, emotional well-being or ability to enjoy daily life, talking with a therapist may provide a useful place to begin exploring what is happening.
What happens during the first therapy session?
Your first session gives you and your therapist an opportunity to get to know one another. You'll discuss what brought you to therapy, relevant history, what you're currently experiencing and what you hope to work on through counseling.
You don't need to arrive knowing exactly what to say or what your goals should be. Those goals can become clearer as you and your therapist begin working together.
How long are adult therapy sessions?
Most individual therapy appointments are approximately 50 minutes. Longer sessions may be available when clinically appropriate and depending on the therapist.
How often should I attend therapy?
Many clients begin with weekly sessions because consistency can help establish a working relationship and provide continuity. Depending on your needs, goals and progress, the frequency of sessions may change over time.
How long will I need therapy?
There isn't one answer that applies to everyone. Some people seek short-term therapy to address a particular concern, while others choose longer-term work involving longstanding emotional, behavioral or relationship patterns.
You and your therapist can discuss your goals and periodically review how the work is progressing.
Can therapy help if I don't know exactly what's wrong?
Yes. Many people come to therapy saying, “I don't know what's wrong. I just don't feel like myself.”
You don't need to figure everything out before making an appointment. Therapy can provide space to identify what has changed, explore what may be contributing to how you're feeling and consider what kind of support may be useful.
Do you offer online adult therapy?
Yes. Hyland & Associates offers virtual therapy for adults located throughout California, as well as in-person therapy at our Irvine office. Availability varies by therapist.
Do you accept insurance?
Hyland & Associates is primarily a fee-for-service practice. Depending on your insurance plan, you may have out-of-network benefits that reimburse you for a portion of therapy costs. We can provide documentation, commonly called a superbill, that you may submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.
Please visit our Rates & Insurance page for current information about fees, insurance and reimbursement options.
Can adult therapy help with relationship problems?
Yes. Relationship concerns are one of the reasons adults seek individual therapy. Individual counseling can provide space to explore communication, boundaries, attachment patterns, dating concerns, marriage difficulties, infidelity, separation, divorce or other relationship issues.
If the primary goal is working on the relationship together, couples therapy or marriage counseling may be more appropriate.
Can you help adults with ADHD?
Yes. Our therapists work with adults experiencing ADHD-related challenges including procrastination, organization, time management, emotional regulation, overwhelm, motivation and relationship difficulties.
Visit our ADHD Counseling page to learn more about ADHD therapy at Hyland & Associates.
What if I've never been to therapy before?
That's completely fine. Many people begin therapy without previous counseling experience. Your therapist can explain the process, answer questions and help you identify what you'd like to work on. You don't need to prepare anything special before your first appointment.
When You're Ready to Begin
You don't have to wait until things become overwhelming before reaching out for support.
Whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression, ADHD, relationship difficulties, stress, burnout, a major transition, or simply feel that something in your life needs attention, therapy can provide a place to better understand what is happening and explore your next steps.
Hyland & Associates Counseling Services offers adult therapy in Irvine and online throughout California.
When you're ready, you can schedule a consultation to learn more about available therapists and appointment options.
When One Partner Feels More Like a Roommate Than a Spouse
When One Partner Feels More Like a Roommate Than a Spouse explores how emotional familiarity can remain while romantic connection fades into routine and how marriage or couples counseling can provide a structured place for reflection and communication.
Rebuilding Physical and Emotional Intimacy After Children
Children can bring enormous meaning to a family while also changing a marriage in practical and emotional ways. Time becomes fragmented, responsibilities multiply, sleep can shrink, and the couple relationship may slowly…
Discipline in a Blended Family: Why Rules Can Become Personal
Blended families bring together people who already have histories, loyalties, routines, losses, and expectations. A new marriage can be deeply meaningful and still create a family transition that is slower and more…