Just Graduated College and Moved to Dallas? Here’s Why Young Adult Therapy Might Help.
- Meredith Moderi
- Sep 9
- 3 min read
Congratulations on your recent graduation and your big move to Dallas! Adjusting to this new phase in life can be thrilling, but it may also feel a bit overwhelming. Transitioning from college to the "real world" brings a whirlwind of emotions, and counseling could be a helpful resource as you navigate this journey. Let’s explore why seeking counseling at Poppy Counseling might be beneficial for you.
Finding Your People & Yourself: Navigating Friendship, Work, and Loneliness After Graduation
Graduating college is often painted as this big, exciting leap into adulthood—and in many ways, it is. But for a lot of young adults in Dallas, post-grad life can also feel... a little off. Maybe you're starting a new job (or still trying to find one), your college friends have moved away, and you're wondering how to make meaningful connections outside of campus life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a little lonely, or unsure of what’s next, you’re not alone. This chapter of life can feel like someone handed you the script but forgot to include the stage directions.
At Poppy Counseling, we work with a lot of Dallas young adults in therapy who are navigating this very season. Let’s talk about why this time is hard—and how you can care for your mental health as you figure it all out.
Making Friends After College: “Why Is This So Hard?”
One of the most common things we hear in therapy sessions with young adults in Dallas is:
“I didn’t think making friends as an adult would be this difficult.”
In college, friendships came naturally—you were surrounded by people your age, living in the same environment, with shared routines and interests. Post-grad life is a different story. People have moved to different cities, taken on demanding jobs, or are simply in different life stages.
But connection is still possible—and so important for your mental health. A few ways to start:
Join local groups, classes, or meetups that align with your interests
Say yes to small social invitations (a coworker’s happy hour or a neighbor’s game night)
Be the one to initiate—even if it feels awkward at first
In therapy, we can also explore any social anxiety, fear of rejection, or self-doubt that might be holding you back from building new connections.
Post-Grad Relationships: When Everyone’s on a Different Timeline
Post-grad friendships and romantic relationships can feel out of sync. One friend is engaged, another just moved back in with their parents. Some are thriving, others are floundering. You might feel pressure to "catch up" or worry that you're falling behind.
In therapy for young adults, we often talk about the importance of defining success on your own terms—not based on someone else’s timeline. Your 20s are full of growth, uncertainty, and change. That’s not failure—that’s real life.
Poppy Counseling provides a space to explore:
Navigating friendships that no longer feel aligned
Maintaining intimacy and boundaries in evolving relationships
Finding peace with where you are right now
Career Stress, Isolation, and “Is This It?”
Starting a new job, searching for the right one, or questioning your career path altogether can bring on major stress. Add remote work or long hours into the mix, and it’s easy to feel isolated—even in a big city like Dallas.
In young adult therapy, we help you:
Untangle your identity from your job title
Build confidence in your choices
Create small, meaningful routines that bring you back to yourself
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to start being kind to yourself where you are.
Therapy for Young Adults in Dallas: A Place to Be Real
You deserve space to feel seen, to ask the messy questions, and to say things like:
“I’m not sure who I am outside of school.”
“I miss my people.”
“I thought this phase of life would feel different.”
Therapy offers you that space—and more. Whether you’re navigating loneliness, relationships, identity, or career stress, Poppy Counseling is here to support Dallas young adults with empathy, humor, and real tools for real life.
You’re Not Falling Behind. You’re Just Becoming.
If this season feels heavy or confusing, that doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong. It just means you’re human—and growing. And growth can be uncomfortable before it becomes meaningful.
At Poppy Counseling, we’d love to walk with you through the in-between.
Looking for young adult therapy in Dallas? Let’s talk. Schedule a free consult or explore our services to get started.
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