Individual therapy for graduate students
Seeking help is a strength.
Others think you have it all figured out, but on the inside you don’t feel good enough. You are struggling with the emotions that come up for you in the process of writing, teaching, researching, working, relating to others—or simply living.
You are experiencing confusion, guilt, or shame about the way you are feeling. You may fear you’re not moving forward quickly enough, you’re not at the level of your peers, and you’re not working hard enough (even though all you seem to do is work). You may feel guilty for taking time off, and guilty for not spending more time with the people you care about.
The messiness of life that doesn’t make it onto your CV? You probably keep that hidden or feel embarrassed if it threatens to emerge (“so when are you going to defend/get a job/apply for that grant/publish your book/get over that break-up?”). Perhaps you are dealing with old hurts and losses that impinge on all aspects of your life. Or maybe you’re feeling bored, jaded, and wondering how you got here.
In academia, it can be hard to find space to talk honestly about your struggles or disappointments. In individual therapy you and I can explore the reality of your experience and help you to move forward.
You may be seeking support in dealing with:
anxiety
setbacks caused by self-doubt or frustration
struggles with perfectionism and procrastination
difficulties with your supervisor, colleagues, or administrators
systemic racism, sexism, or other oppression
depression
stress in relationships with your partner, family or friends
worry about your future
writer’s block
Working with me
In my experience, for most people the hardest challenges of academia are not intellectual but emotional. These challenges may be directly related to your work, or you may be dealing with other problems that are affecting all aspects of your life. I will work with you sensitively, respectfully, and collaboratively to understand your experience in new ways, and support you in your journey. I bring the skills and insight of a professional counsellor with years of experience working with a wide range of clients in a university setting, as well as an insider’s knowledge of academia (including the academic job market, and the tenure system). I offer sessions both in person and online.