Although not an official medical diagnosis, failure to launch syndrome in men in their twenties and thirties is an extended pause in the typical developmental process of transitioning into adulthood. A young man experiencing failure to launch might feel frozen in place after finishing high school or college; they may have no job or lessened desire to venture out on their own. Alternatively, they might not have yet developed the skills needed to land their first job. In any case, these feelings of early career failure can be intensified in career-focused areas like D.C. and Arlington.

There are myriad factors that could contribute to difficulties in getting a first job or holding onto jobs. For some young men the cause is environmental (an overly-reliant relationship with parents or a particularly competitive job market for their field), while for many others it is mental health related. Leaving the safety of home can be cripplingly scary for a young adult with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or who has experienced trauma. As much as they may desire to be self-reliant, their mental health keeps them from joining the workforce.

Therapy can help jumpstart both external and internal progress toward entering the competitive job market.

You’ll learn the latest strategies for resume development, networking, interviewing and succeeding in your first job.

Just as important as the job-search skills, counseling addresses the anxiety, stress and fears around navigating the professional world.