College and graduate school can look polished from the outside. Move-in photos, orientation events, club fairs, lab introductions, cohort meetings, and packed calendars can make it seem like everyone else has adjusted overnight. In real life, many students are quietly asking the same questions: Where do I fit? Who can I talk to? How do I take care of myself while keeping up? For students thinking about Therapy, Lisa Howard at Growing Sideways Therapy specializes in exactly t

For college and graduate students, the transition into fall is not just a schedule change. It is an emotional adjustment. Naming that experience can make it less confusing, and getting support can make it easier to carry. Professionals like Lisa Howard at Growing Sideways Therapy in Chicago can offer a steady, confidential space for students to unpack these feelings.

Career stress can follow people home long after the laptop closes, the shift ends, or the last message goes unanswered. It can show up as a tight chest on Sunday night, a running list of unfinished tasks, or the quiet fear that everyone else knows what they are doing while you are barely keeping up. Therapy may be worth exploring when work stress starts affecting daily life, relationships, health, or self-worth. A practice such as Growing Sideways Therapy may support people.

Having someone walk alongside you does not remove every challenge, but it can make the path feel less lonely and more possible.

Emotions are not interruptions to a successful adult life. They are part of being human. Work with Growing Sideways Therapy and Lisa Howard can provide support for adults who are learning to navigate complex feelings with more steadiness and curiosity.

Living in a city like Chicago can add another layer to dating and relationships. At Growing Sideways Therapy, Lisa Howard enjoys working with adults in their twenties and thirties as they navigate dating, relationships, and life transitions in Chicago.

At Growing Sideways Therapy, Lisa Howard specializes in working with adults in their twenties and thirties. She has extensive experience supporting clients through career changes, graduate school experiences, relationship challenges, relocations, and other major life transitions. When life feels uncertain, it can be easy to assume something is wrong. You may compare yourself to friends, colleagues, or social media posts and wonder why everyone else appears more confident or

Beginning therapy with a new therapist can bring up a unique mix of emotions, especially if you have been in therapy before. Therapy is not about getting your history right. It is about creating a space where you can explore who you are now, what you are carrying, and where you would like to go next.

Therapy can provide a supportive space to navigate job change anxiety, shifting professional identities, and the emotional challenges that often accompany major life transitions.

Our emotions are not just thoughts. They are experiences that often show up in our bodies. Paying attention to physical sensations can help us better understand our emotional responses. You might notice: Feeling hot or cold Pressure in your chest, back, head, or shoulders Butterflies in your stomach Tingling in your arms, hands, or fingers Changes in your face, lips, or eyes A sense of relaxation or looseness Feeling energized These sensations are not problems to solve. They

Grounding exercises bring our attention back to our immediate surroundings and can help us remember that we are here, in this place, at this moment in time.

Movement can be done seated, standing, or lying down, whatever makes sense for you. It does not have to mean an intense workout or structured routine. Try this: sit with your feet flat on the ground.

At Growing Sideways Therapy, Lisa Howard is experienced in working with creatives who are navigating exactly these

If you are in your twenties and curious about therapy, it can be a meaningful way to invest in yourself.

This model is especially helpful for people with irregular schedules, demanding jobs, frequent travel, or seasons of life that feel unpredictable. It can also be a good fit for individuals who appreciate concierge style services and want their mental health care to reflect the same level of personalization and access. If you are curious about whether Custom Care might be a good fit, I would love to talk more with you. Contact Lisa at lisa@growingsidewaystherapy.com to learn

When it’s freezing out, the little things that keep us connected start to disappear

Before you travel, take a quiet moment to imagine yourself stepping into your family’s home

Working with a therapist who understands the graduate school experience can help you find steadiness in these uncertain years.

A space that supports you, helps you feel comfortable, and allows you to show up fully, just as you are

We often think of coping skills as tools to make our uncomfortable feelings disappear. The truth is, emotions, especially the hard ones,...