Individual Therapy

One-on-One

Individual therapy is a joint process between a therapist and a person in therapy. Common goals of therapy can be to inspire change or improve quality of life. You may seek therapy for help with issues that are hard to face alone. Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counseling.   

Therapy can help you overcome obstacles and improve your well-being. It can increase positive feelings, such as compassion and self-esteem. You can learn skills which can help with handling difficult situations, making healthy decisions, and reaching goals. Many find they enjoy the therapeutic journey of becoming more self-aware. Some people even go to ongoing therapy for self-growth.

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WHEN IS IT BEST TO SEEK THERAPY?

It could be time to seek therapy if an issue causes distress or interferes with daily life. Distress can mean negative thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or even a bodily sensation such as pain or fatigue. It is important not to wait until symptoms become severe before going to therapy. It may be best to seek therapy if you are often unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. Therapy can also help if you cannot focus on work or school, experience addiction, or feel like hurting yourself or someone else.

Some people may avoid treatment, and there are many reasons for this. Some of these reasons include:

• Worry about the stigma that can come with mental health care

• Feelings of shame when speaking about past hurts

• Not wanting to acknowledge that anything is wrong

• Fear that discussions in treatment will not stay confidential

• Money issues

 It may help to remember that therapists are trained professionals who provide support and maintain confidentiality. Therapy can help you work through painful or embarrassing issues. And, although the stigma surrounding mental health can still come up, more people are becoming comfortable with talking about their mental health options with those they trust.

The therapeutic journey can also help you identify underlying causes of symptoms and provide strategies for changing unwanted thoughts and behaviors. Therapy can equip you with skills to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life. 

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR FIRST SESSION

The first session of therapy often focuses on gathering information. We will discuss past physical, mental, and emotional health. As well as any current concerns which brought you to therapy. It can take a few sessions for me, the therapist, to have a good understanding of the situation. Only then can I address concerns and determine the best course of action.

You may also use your first session to decide if my therapy style is a good fit for your needs. Finding a therapist you are comfortable with is vital to successful treatment. During the session we will discuss treatment goals, session length, and how many sessions are needed.

During your first session you will be encouraged to do most of the talking. At first, it may be hard to talk about past experiences or current concerns. Sessions may stir up intense emotions. It is possible to become upset, angry, or sad during treatment. However, I can help you with building confidence and become more comfortable as sessions progress.

During treatment you can ask questions at any point in the process. As time passes, you may begin to develop a more positive mood and healthier thinking patterns.

All my clients in treatment can expect confidentiality. In a case where a client is in immediate danger of harming themselves or others, confidentiality breaks. I will explain the limits of confidentiality and provide guidelines during our first therapy session.

HOW PSYCHOTHERAPY WORKS

There are many forms of therapy. Some types of treatment work better than others when handling different issues. In Center One Therapy, I combine ideas from different approaches when addressing your needs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most popular and effective types of therapy. This approach helps you look at the connection between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Then, you can replace negative thinking patterns with positive ones. The belief behind CBT is that healthy thoughts often promote positive feelings and productive actions. 

Other effective approaches include:

•  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT): Can help you cope with stress, improve emotional regulation, and work on relationships.

• Can Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT): help build relationship skills.

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): May increase awareness of thoughts and emotions.

• Psychodynamic Therapy: Can help you understand unconscious experiences and how they may affect behavior.

• Pet Therapy may help individuals while talking about difficult life experiences.

HOW LONG DOES INDIVIDUAL THERAPY LAST?

Individual therapy sessions often last 45 minutes. How often sessions occur and how long they are depend on many factors, including:

• The mental health condition addressed and its severity

• The amount of time the person in therapy has had the issue

• How much the issue affects day-to-day life

• How much distress the issue causes

• How quickly the person in therapy improves

• Financial limitations 

Some concerns can be addressed through short-term therapy over a few weeks. However, chronic or more complex concerns can require long-term treatment. Sometimes, it may take more than a year for noticeable progress to be made.

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EFFECTIVENESS OF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY

Even if therapy cannot cure a condition, it can help you develop healthy coping skills. Determination to be active in therapy and heal is essential for meeting therapeutic goals and fostering a positive therapeutic relationship. 

Finding a therapist you are comfortable with can help you get the most out of treatment. When a person in therapy is open and honest, I am able to address each issue and adjust the treatment approach as needed. Going to therapy might feel difficult on some days. But, it is important to attend each session and complete any homework assigned. Being patient and sticking to the treatment plan can facilitate long-term success in therapy.