Young Adult Anxiety Support

Feeling anxious in your late teens or twenties can be confusing and exhausting, especially when, on the surface, it might look like you’re coping.

You might be studying, working, or managing day-to-day responsibilities, but internally feel stuck in overthinking, self-doubt, or constant pressure. Many young adults describe it as not being able to fully switch off, even when things are “going okay.”

What does anxiety look like in young adults?

Anxiety during this stage of life doesn’t always look obvious.

For some people, it shows up as:

feeling overwhelmed or on edge
racing thoughts or difficulty relaxing
trouble sleeping or switching off at night

For others, it can be quieter:

overthinking decisions or replaying conversations
procrastination because starting feels too overwhelming
putting a lot of pressure on yourself to get things “right”
appearing capable on the outside but feeling exhausted underneath

You might not feel panicked but you may rarely feel fully at ease. You are not alone in this and you do not have to accept that feeling like this is part of your life forever.

Why is anxiety so common at this stage?

Young adulthood comes with a lot of change and uncertainty.

You might be:

figuring out study or career direction
navigating independence and responsibility
managing relationships and identity changes
adjusting expectations of yourself and your future

Even positive changes can feel overwhelming. When combined with high expectations or a tendency to overthink, anxiety can gradually become a constant background presence.

When does it become something worth getting support for?

A helpful way to think about this is not whether anxiety exists but how much impact it’s having on you and your life.

You might consider reaching out if anxiety is:

taking up a lot of mental space
affecting your sleep, focus, or motivation
leading you to avoid things that matter to you
making it hard to enjoy life or feel like yourself

You don’t need to be in crisis to benefit from support.

Perfectionism, overthinking, and self-pressure

Many young adults experiencing anxiety are also highly self-aware, thoughtful, and driven.

This can come with high expectations of yourself, a strong inner critic, difficulty feeling satisfied, even when you’re doing well or a fear of failure.

Over time, this pattern can become exhausting, where your mind feels like it’s always “on,” analysing, questioning, or anticipating what could go wrong.

How therapy can help?

Therapy provides a space to slow things down and make sense of what’s been going on.

It can help you:

understand how anxiety operates in your mind and body
notice and shift patterns like overthinking or avoidance
build practical strategies to manage stress and uncertainty
develop a more balanced and compassionate relationship with yourself
feel more grounded, confident, and in control

For many people, anxiety doesn’t disappear completely—but it becomes much more manageable and less central in their life.

Working with Ashley

Ashley is a Clinical Psychologist who works with young adults experiencing anxiety, stress, and perfectionism.

She takes a warm, collaborative approach and focuses on creating a space where you can feel comfortable, understood, and not judged. She understands that starting therapy can feel unfamiliar or even a bit daunting and works at a pace that feels right for you.

Ashley has a particular interest in working with people who appear capable on the outside but feel overwhelmed internally, including those navigating perfectionism, overthinking, or harsh self-criticism.

Taking the next step

If you’ve been feeling stuck in anxiety or like things have been building over time, support can make a meaningful difference.

You don’t need to have everything figured out before reaching out.

Appointments are available on the Northern Beaches and via telehealth.