Can I book a counseling session for my adult child?

An adult student reaches out for themselves. You can share this page or the Work With Me page with them, and encourage them to request a free consultation if they are in Texas.

Will you tell me how my student is doing?

Not without their written permission. An adult's counseling is confidential, within the legal limits every Texas counselor follows. If your student wants you involved, that is something we can talk about with their consent.

What if my student goes to school in another state?

Because I am licensed in Texas, I can only work with clients physically located here. A student attending school elsewhere would need a counselor licensed in that state, and their campus counseling center is often a good place to start.

Is it my fault my student is struggling?

Struggles in college have many causes, and blaming yourself rarely helps either of you. What matters now is staying connected and helping your student find support. If guilt is weighing on you, that is worth talking about too.

For Parents

Is My College Student Depressed or Just Stressed?

College is stressful by design, and some ups and downs are part of it. But how do you know when it is more than that? Here is what is normal, what is worth a conversation, and how to ask without pushing them away.

Sunlight across an open notebook and a mug on a wooden desk by a window

What Normal Stress Looks Like

Most college students go through stretches of stress: exam weeks, homesickness, roommate tension, money worries, a breakup. Normal stress tends to rise and fall with circumstances. Your student might be tired and grumpy during finals, then bounce back over a break. Signs that it is probably ordinary stress:

Busy and tired, but still engaged with friends and interests.
Upset about a bad grade, then making a plan.
Homesick at first, then gradually settling in.
Venting to you, then feeling better afterward.

Signs Worth a Conversation

It is worth paying closer attention when changes last for weeks, show up in several areas at once, or seem out of character. Possible signs of depression include:

Pulling back from friends, family or activities they used to enjoy.
Big changes in sleep, like sleeping through classes or barely sleeping.
Grades dropping sharply, or missing assignments and classes.
Sounding flat, hopeless or unusually irritable on calls.
Talking about being a burden, or saying nothing matters.
Using alcohol or other substances to cope.

How to Ask Without Prying

Lead with care and specifics rather than accusations. “You have sounded really tired the last few calls. How are you doing, honestly?” works better than “What is wrong with you?” Listen more than you advise, and resist the urge to fix everything right away.

Let them know you are on their side, and that getting support is a sign of strength, not failure. If they are not ready to talk, keep the door open and check in again.

Close detail of folded woven wool in oat and terracotta tones

You cannot fix everything from a distance, but you can stay connected and help them find support.

If You Are Worried About Safety

If your student talks about wanting to die, or you are worried they might hurt themselves, treat it as urgent.

This website is not for emergencies. If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For mental health or suicide crisis support, call or text 988, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

Getting Your Student Support

If your student is physically in Texas, they can reach out to me for a free consultation themselves; as an adult, that call is theirs to make. Sessions are fifty minutes by secure video, so they fit around classes, from a dorm or a parked car. If they attend school in another state, they will need a counselor licensed there, since I can only work with clients located in Texas.

My page on therapy for college students explains more for students. My own four children are in college right now, so I know this season from the parent side too.

Support for You, Too

Watching a child struggle from a distance is hard. If the worry is taking over your days, counseling can help you, too. My page on therapy for parents of college students is written for exactly that season.

Common Questions

Can I book a counseling session for my adult child?: An adult student reaches out for themselves. You can share this page or the Work With Me page with them, and encourage them to request a free consultation if they are in Texas.
Will you tell me how my student is doing?: Not without their written permission. An adult's counseling is confidential, within the legal limits every Texas counselor follows. If your student wants you involved, that is something we can talk about with their consent.
What if my student goes to school in another state?: Because I am licensed in Texas, I can only work with clients physically located here. A student attending school elsewhere would need a counselor licensed in that state, and their campus counseling center is often a good place to start.
Is it my fault my student is struggling?: Struggles in college have many causes, and blaming yourself rarely helps either of you. What matters now is staying connected and helping your student find support. If guilt is weighing on you, that is worth talking about too.

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Help Them Find Support

If your student is in Texas, they can request a free consultation themselves. If you need support of your own, you can book one too.

Work With Me