I like to think of Generation X as the middle child of history—overshadowed by the Boomers who raised us and the Millennials and Gen Z who dominate cultural conversations today. As a Gen X therapist in a helping profession, I find myself navigating a fascinating, sometimes hilarious, and often frustrating generational divide. On one side, I have older clients and colleagues who value resilience, privacy, and pulling yourself up by the bootstraps. On the other, I have younger individuals who prioritize mental health, emotional validation, and work-life balance in ways my own generation never dared to dream about.
Raised in an era of latchkey kids, grunge music, and the firm belief that “life isn’t fair,” Gen Xers developed a unique blend of self-reliance and cynicism. We didn’t have participation trophies, and we certainly didn’t have safe spaces. Therapy? That was something reserved for people with “real” problems. So, imagine my reality now—sitting in my therapy chair, bridging the communication gap between a Boomer who believes tough love is the answer and a Gen Z client who needs reassurance that their emotions are valid.
What makes this balancing act even more challenging is that both sides think they’re right. Boomers and older Gen Xers often struggle to understand why young adults today seem so anxious and overwhelmed. They tell me, “We had tough times, too, but we just got on with it.” Meanwhile, my younger clients are often emotionally intelligent but burned out, carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders while also grappling with the fear that they aren’t doing enough.
And then there’s me, sandwiched in the middle, fluent in both worlds but fully belonging to neither. I understand the skepticism of my elders because, let’s be honest, I, too, sometimes roll my eyes at an overuse of self-care jargon. But I also deeply appreciate the younger generation’s insistence that we talk about mental health openly, set boundaries, and acknowledge systemic problems that impact well-being.
My job as a therapist is not to take sides but to help people understand each other. Sometimes, this means helping an older client recognize that emotions are not a sign of weakness. Other times, it means guiding a younger client through the reality that life sometimes requires resilience and grit. I help both generations see that while their approaches may differ, they are all searching for meaning, connection, and healing in a rapidly changing world.
So, what have I learned from my seat in the middle? First, that every generation has its blind spots. Boomers and Gen Xers could benefit from a little more emotional awareness, while Millennials and Gen Z could sometimes use a bit of Gen X’s independent spirit. Second, humor is a lifesaver—there’s nothing like a good sarcastic comment to get through a tough session. And finally, despite all our differences, the fundamental human need for understanding and connection transcends generational divides.
Being a Gen X therapist in this helping profession means being an interpreter, a mediator, and sometimes just the person who reminds everyone that they’re all more alike than they realize. It’s an interesting place to be, and honestly? I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
