Results-Driven Therapy for Emerging Adults

At her Ann Arbor therapy practice, Dr. VanBeck specializes in supporting emerging adults navigating the unique challenges between adolescence and full adulthood. Whether you're grappling with self-esteem struggles, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or significant life transitions, she provides a warm and empathetic space for self-exploration and growth.

Dr. VanBeck’s approach focuses on helping you understand the root causes of your challenges while equipping you with practical tools to overcome them. Dr. VanBeck works to help you embrace your authentic self and build a fulfilling, empowered future. Reach out today to start your journey toward emotional well-being.

What Dr. VanBeck Treats

  • Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating are complex mental health conditions that often involve an unhealthy focus on food, weight, and body image. Therapy can help address the underlying emotional and psychological factors driving these behaviors, fostering a healthier relationship with food and self.

  • Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and loss of interest in daily activities. Through therapy, we work to uncover the root causes of depression, develop coping mechanisms, and rebuild emotional resilience.

  • Anxiety disorders can cause overwhelming worry, fear, or panic that interferes with daily life. Therapy offers a safe space to understand the triggers of anxiety and develop tools for managing stress and calming the mind.

  • Navigating questions of sexuality and identity can be challenging and emotionally complex. Therapy provides a supportive, nonjudgmental environment to explore sexual orientation, gender identity, and relationships, helping individuals feel more secure in their identity.

  • Family conflicts can strain relationships and affect emotional health. Therapy provides a space to address issues within the family dynamic, fostering better communication, understanding, and conflict resolution.

  • Relationships can be both rewarding and challenging. Therapy provides a supportive environment for exploring relationship difficulties, improving communication, and developing strategies for healthier, more fulfilling connections.

  • Low self-esteem can significantly affect mental and physical health. Therapy offers tools to improve self-worth, manage stress more effectively, and cultivate greater confidence and balance in life.

  • Struggles with weight, whether through overeating or unhealthy dieting, often stem from more profound emotional challenges. Therapy addresses the psychological factors behind weight issues, fostering a healthier relationship with food and self-image.

  • Trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can leave lasting emotional scars. Therapy focuses on helping individuals process their trauma, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild their lives with renewed strength and resilience.

  • A range of life transitions, societal pressures, and personal experiences may influence women's mental health. Therapy provides a space to explore reproductive health, career challenges, and family dynamics, empowering women to lead more balanced and fulfilling lives.

Therapy To Meet Your Needs

At Dr. VanBeck’s Office

Dr. VanBeck’s office is conveniently located in downtown Ann Arbor, within walking distance of campus.

Remote

Can’t make it into the office? No worries—Dr. VanBeck has you covered with virtual therapy.

Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are complex mental health conditions often rooted in various factors, one of which is body image. While improving body image is a vital part of treating eating disorders, it's not the sole focus. Body image refers to how individuals perceive and feel about their physical appearance, and it can become severely distorted, especially in cultures that emphasize ideals like thinness. This distortion can affect anyone but is most prevalent among women. Negative body image, where individuals maintain unrealistic or overly critical views of their appearance, is linked to societal pressures, media influence, personal experiences, and even trauma.

Eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder are often accompanied by negative body image, but these conditions go beyond physical appearance. They involve deep emotional, psychological, and behavioral patterns related to food, control, and self-worth. Symptoms of poor body image include excessive self-comparison, negative self-talk, and a fixation on perceived flaws, often leading to body dysmorphia, a condition marked by an obsessive focus on minor or imagined physical imperfections.

Treatment for eating disorders and the associated body image issues is multi-faceted. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is commonly used to address the distorted thinking patterns that contribute to negative body image. At the same time, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) helps individuals regulate their emotions and develop healthier coping mechanisms. Other therapeutic approaches, such as art therapy, family therapy, and group therapy, are also valuable in addressing the broader emotional and relational aspects of eating disorders.

Anxiety

Anxiety disorders go beyond occasional worry or stress and can significantly impact daily life. They include generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and various phobia-related disorders. Common symptoms across these conditions include persistent worry, physical symptoms like headaches or muscle tension, and avoidance of certain situations due to fear or discomfort. In more severe cases, individuals may experience frequent panic attacks, social withdrawal, or intense fear of specific objects or situations.

Anxiety can stem from both genetic and environmental factors, including past trauma, family history, or exposure to negative experiences. The treatment for anxiety often involves Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps address and change irrational thoughts and behaviors, as well as Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation. Other therapeutic approaches may include individual therapy, group therapy, and in some cases, medication, depending on the severity and type of anxiety disorder.

Depression

Depression is a complex mood disorder that goes beyond temporary feelings of sadness or frustration. It impacts how a person feels, thinks, and handles everyday activities, such as sleeping, eating, and working.

Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness, feelings of hopelessness, irritability, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep and appetite. Individuals may also experience physical symptoms such as headaches, digestive problems, or chronic pain without a clear physical cause. Depression can affect people of all ages, but it often manifests differently in men, women, and adolescents. For example, men may exhibit anger or irritability, while women may express more sadness and withdrawal.

Several risk factors contribute to the development of depression, including a family history of depression, major life events (such as trauma, stress, or loss), and certain medical conditions like heart disease or chronic pain. Depression can also co-occur with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and physical health conditions, worsening the symptoms of both.

Treatment for depression typically involves a combination of therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps reframe negative thought patterns, and medication, such as antidepressants. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical, and individuals are encouraged to seek professional help if symptoms persist for two weeks or longer.

Sexuality


Sexuality is a deeply personal and multifaceted aspect of human identity, encompassing sexual orientation, gender identity, and intimate relationships. Just as depression affects people in unique ways, individuals may also experience challenges related to their sexuality, including confusion, shame, or difficulty navigating social expectations. Sexuality-related concerns can often intersect with feelings of anxiety, depression, or self-worth, impacting daily life, relationships, and self-acceptance.

Common challenges related to sexuality include confusion around identity, fear of rejection, or distress about societal norms and expectations. These issues can lead to feelings of isolation, frustration, or shame, further complicating mental and emotional well-being. Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to explore these concerns, helping individuals develop self-acceptance, navigate identity questions, and form healthy relationships.

Treatment for sexuality-related challenges often involves exploring and reframing negative beliefs, addressing internalized stigma, and building confidence. Therapy approaches like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or person-centered therapy can offer valuable tools for individuals struggling with issues around sexuality, helping them move toward a more authentic and fulfilling sense of self.

Relationships

Navigating relationships during early adulthood can be both rewarding and challenging, especially when dealing with toxic dynamics or breakups. Emerging adults often face the complexities of forming and maintaining romantic relationships, sometimes encountering patterns of unhealthy communication, emotional manipulation, or codependency. Toxic relationships can undermine self-esteem, cause emotional distress, and lead to a cycle of repeated negative patterns in future relationships.

Breakups, especially when tied to long-standing or toxic relationships, can leave individuals feeling lost, rejected, or struggling with self-worth. It’s not uncommon for these experiences to affect other areas of life, from friendships to academic and career performance. Therapy offers a space to process the emotional pain, understand the patterns that led to unhealthy dynamics, and build the tools needed for healthier relationships in the future.

Through therapy, individuals can explore the root causes of toxic behaviors, learn to set boundaries and gain a deeper understanding of their own emotional needs. Relationship-focused counseling helps clients break free from poisonous cycles, heal from breakups, and develop more robust, more meaningful connections.

Contact Dr. Vanbeck

Contact Dr. VanBeck today to learn more and discuss the first steps to starting therapy. She’s here to answer any questions and guide you on your path to healing and well-being.