Hannah Frankel, LCSW

 

Failure To Launch

Parallax-MINT-04.jpg

You are in the middle of your story, not the end.

Becoming your authentic self is weird, hard, and absolutely worth it.

I'm glad you're here. I work alongside young adults and their families who are feeling stuck, overwhelmed, and uncertain about how to move forward.

You might be here because you're watching a young person you love struggle to find their footing — or maybe you are that young adult, feeling the weight of expectation without a clear path forward. Words like "failure to launch" can feel heavy, judgmental, even shaming. But I see it differently. I see human beings in transition — living at the crossroads of hope, fear, freedom, and responsibility — asking deep and difficult questions about who they are and who they are becoming.

I don't believe there is a "quick fix" because this isn't a mechanical problem to be solved. It's a deeply human experience to feel overwhelmed when the world demands certainty, achievement, and success. In our work together, I will meet you — or your family — right where you are, without judgment or pretense.

 

Parallax-MINT-04.jpg

My Approach

Rooted in existential and person-centered therapy, my approach is grounded in the belief that each person already carries within them the seeds of growth and change. You are not broken — even if it feels that way sometimes. Together, we explore the inner landscape of meaning, choice, fear, and possibility. We slow down the rush to "fix" and instead listen for the quiet voice of your own becoming.

I work with young adults who are:

  • Struggling to find direction or motivation

  • Living at home longer than expected and feeling stuck

  • Wrestling with anxiety, depression, or deep self-doubt

  • Questioning traditional paths of success and adulthood

  • Wanting to find a life that feels authentic, not imposed

And with families who are:

  • Feeling helpless, frustrated, or scared for their young adult child

  • Torn between wanting to help and not knowing how

  • Struggling with communication, boundaries, or trust

  • Seeking a way to support growth without forcing a rigid agenda

What Our Work Might Look Like

Our work might look like conversation, reflection, and deep listening. It might look like naming unspoken fears, honoring uncertainty, and daring to imagine new possibilities. I offer a space where it's okay not to have all the answers — a space where your experiences, feelings, and questions are held with respect.

Sometimes, therapy also means working with the whole family — building bridges of communication, compassion, and understanding. Other times, it means giving a young adult the space they need to explore their identity without the noise of everyone else's expectations.

Alongside the deeper work of meaning and self-understanding, I also offer practical tools and support to help you move forward. This might include creating small, manageable plans, building routines that support your values, developing skills for decision-making, or navigating steps toward school, work, or independent living. When feeling stuck, even small steps matter — and I am here to walk with you as you discover and build momentum toward a life that feels more aligned and possible.

There is No One Path

I don't have a cookie-cutter program or a 5-step success plan. What I offer is relationship — authentic, present, and deeply human. Together, we will sit with the hard questions. Together, we will honor your pain and your possibilities. Together, we will trust that growth, while unpredictable, is always possible.

If you or your family are ready to begin, or even just curious about what this journey might look like, I invite you to reach out. You don't have to have it all figured out to take the first step.