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Oksana V. Panchenko, PhD, is a 2026 graduate of the PhD program in Counselor Education & Supervision, Antioch University, Seattle.

Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, PhD, Committee Chair

Najla Hrustanovic, PhD, Committee Member

Ali Corey, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

Generation Z, anxiety and depression, existential paralysis, identity integration, meaning-making, purpose, Digital Age

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This study examines the lived experiences of emerging adults from Generation Z (N = 26) with a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. Data was collected with an online survey and open ended prompts. Twelve themes were identified as part of data analysis: (1) Feeling Lost, Immobilized, Isolated and Overthinking, (2) Feeling Depressed and Experiencing Identity Erosion and Functional Disruption, (3) Anxiety, the Struggle for Authentic Connection, and Fear About the Future, (4) Social Media, Comparison, and Fear of Missing Out, (5) Cultural and Sociopolitical Pressures on Self-Expression, (6) Ambiguous Loss and Disconnection in Social Presence, (7) Social Skills, Self-Confidence, and Adaptation Over Time, (8) Narrative Coherence and Integration, (9) Finding Motivation and Brighter Days, (10) Existential Meaning Making, (11) Purpose, Identity Integration, and Future Orientation Thinking, and (12) Advice for the Next Generation. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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Oksana V. Panchenko, PhD, 2026
ORCID iD 0009-0008-8619-2862

Dr. Oksana Panchenko (she/her), PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, MA, is a bilingual licensed mental health counselor based in Texas, as well as a counselor educator and scholar whose work focuses on existential psychology, developmental processes, and the mental health experiences of emerging adults. Her work is grounded in a multidisciplinary framework that integrates existential theory, narrative identity, developmental psychology, and digital culture, with particular attention to how emerging adults construct meaning and identity in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Her scholar work contributes to the field by reframing anxiety and depression not solely as pathology, but as developmental and existential responses to modern life conditions. Dr. Panchenko interests focus on meaning-making, identity, and narrative coherence in the Digital Age, advocating for existential, narrative, and trauma-informed approaches. Her is committed to culturally responsive, developmentally informed counseling that empowers individuals to build authentic and meaningful life narratives. Dr. Panchenko holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University and a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Antioch University, where she also completed certificates in Trauma Therapy.

Dr. Panchenko’s teaching philosophy views counselor education as a transformative process that integrates experiential learning, self-awareness, and meaning-making to develop clinically competent and reflective professionals. Grounded in experiential, andragogical, and transformative learning theories, her approach emphasizes active engagement, critical reflection, and the integration of lived experiences to foster the development of self-aware and effective counselors. She prioritizes a psychologically safe yet intellectually rigorous learning environment in which students are encouraged to explore identity, power, and cultural context, while preparing to navigate the complexities of the Digital Age.

Dr. Panchenko is the founder and owner of Center for Counseling & Psychological Services You Talk, a private practice in Texas & Hawaii, dedicated to supporting individuals across the lifespan. Her work emphasizes serving diverse and underserved populations, including immigrants, culturally diverse communities, and military members and veterans, as well as individuals experiencing existential distress in the Digital Age.

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