If you’ve never been to therapy, you may wonder: What is individual therapy? But those who have tried individual therapy know its power. Over 41.7 million US adults saw at least one therapist in 2021; individual treatment was one of the most popular among them. Individual therapy is a personal counseling session where a person works one-on-one with a therapist to address their specific challenges and goals.
In a podcast by HealingUS Centers, Ashley and Frank Salvage share their tough journey of quitting smoking and other addictions. Frank went through many treatment centers but found success through dedicated effort and one-on-one therapy. With the right medical support and personal commitment, he has been sober for almost a year, showing how hard it is to quit smoking and how effective therapy can be.
If you are struggling with mental health issues, we will walk you through an individual therapy guide. It will give you a clear understanding of what is individual therapy, how it works, what to expect from a therapy session, types of personal therapy, and more.
What is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is often depicted in movies, TV shows, and commercials as the classic scene of a client lying on a couch and the therapist scribbling on a notepad. These images have shaped many people’s ideas about therapy, but what is individual therapy?
Alfred Adler developed individual therapy, also known as Adlerian therapy. It is conducted in a confidential space, where a patient addresses challenges and the therapist helps them overcome mental stress.
In Individual therapy, the patient finally opens up about their struggles, gradually peeling back the layers of their emotions, showing the pain and confusion they’ve been carrying. This setting provides a safe space for the character to express buried feelings and behavior. The therapist ensures the patient feels safe, supported, heard, and understood.
Confidentiality is maintained throughout the ongoing sessions, during which individuals can overcome painful past and present experiences. This gradual process helps them work through these experiences and begin healing. This personalized therapy is approachable to the specific needs and goals of the person. It provides a sense of relief and comfort as they progress towards healing.
If you are struggling with the thoughts of “I want to feel better about myself, I want to break a cycle and quit making the same mistakes, I want to feel less depressed or anxious, I want to become better at tolerating stress and frustration.” Individual therapy will help you do so.
Alder gave a clear idea of what is individual therapy by showing the four stages:
1. Engagement
Building a relationship with the therapist and starting to talk about issues.
2. Assessment
Understanding and identifying the problems and needs
3. Insight
Gaining a deeper understanding of the issues and patterns.
4. Reorientation
Making changes and applying new strategies to improve.
How Does Individual Therapy Work?
Individual therapy does not use just one type of therapy. Instead, the approach is tailored to each person’s needs and symptoms.
The American Psychological Association (APA) outlines five main categories of therapy approaches:
- Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- Behavior therapy
- Humanistic therapy (like client-centered, existential, or Gestalt therapy)
- Integrative or holistic therapy
Therapists often blend different approaches to suit the individual client. Instead of sticking strictly to one method, they might combine techniques from various types of therapy. Many therapists focus more on the therapeutic process itself rather than strictly following one theory, a practice known as process-based care.
What to expect from a Therapy Session?
Individual therapy can help with a wide range of challenges, like stress, anger, grief, or conflict. In a comfortable, private setting, a therapist and the individual work together to explore important areas such as:
- Expressing thoughts and emotions
- Understanding behavior patterns
- Solving problems
- Resolving conflicts
- Identifying strengths and weaknesses
Therapy can be short-term, focusing on immediate concerns, or long-term, addressing more complex issues. The approach to treatment varies based on the problems at hand, the therapist’s style, and the person’s unique needs. Studies show that therapies work best when there is a strong alliance and connection between the therapist and the individual.
7 Reasons Therapy Might be Right for You
Here are seven reasons therapy might be a good fit for you:
1. You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
If life feels like it’s too much to handle, therapy can offer support and strategies to manage stress and anxiety.
2. You’re Stuck in a Rut
Therapy can help you break free from repetitive patterns or habits that are not serving you well.
3. You’re Struggling with Self-Esteem
If you’re having trouble feeling good about yourself, therapy can help build your confidence and self-worth.
4. You Want to Improve Relationships
Therapy can provide tools to communicate better and resolve conflicts in your relationships.
5. You’re Facing a Major Life Change
Whether you’re facing a new job, a move, or a significant personal transition, therapy can help you navigate these changes more smoothly.
6. You’re Dealing with Trauma or Pain
Therapy provides a safe space to process and heal from past traumas or emotional pain.
7. You’re Seeking Personal Growth
If you want to understand yourself better or find meaning, therapy can support your journey toward personal growth.
Individual Therapy isn’t just for crises. It’s for creating a more fulfilling and balanced life.
The Benefits of Individual Therapy
Individual therapy comes in many forms, shaped by different factors and situations that can influence the results. Despite these differences, certain benefits are expected across the board, making this approach effective for people from various backgrounds and challenges.
Some key benefits of individual therapy include:
- Better communication skills
- Learning healthy ways to cope
- Exploring oneself
- Personal attention from a trained therapist
- A safe and supportive environment
- Strengthening relationships with others
- Overcoming life’s challenges
- Boosting self-esteem
FAQs: What is Individual Therapy
Que: What is individual therapy?
Ans: Individual therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is a process where a person works one-on-one with a trained mental health professional in a safe, caring, and private environment.
Que: What else is individual therapy called?
Ans: Individual therapy, also known as counseling or talk therapy, involves one-on-one sessions between a therapist and a person seeking help.
Que: What are the stages of individual therapy?
Ans: Individual therapy, especially in Adlerian therapy, includes four stages: engagement (building a relationship), assessment (understanding the person’s issues), insight (gaining deeper understanding), and reorientation (making positive changes).
Que: What is the goal of individual therapy?
Ans: The goal of individual therapy is to help a person better understand their problems, make positive changes, and improve their overall well-being.
Que: What is individual behavior therapy?
Ans: Behavioral therapy focuses on changing learned behaviors that might be unhealthy or self-destructive. It’s based on the idea that behaviors can be changed through therapy.
Conclusion
Individual therapy provides one-on-one mental health support for issues like improving self-esteem, breaking harmful patterns, reducing anxiety or depression, and managing stress. If you face these challenges, therapy can guide you toward meaningful changes.
To find the right therapist, consider contacting those you’re interested in or using a match-based online platform. Personalized care can help you navigate challenges and achieve a more fulfilling life. Now that you know what individual therapy is and its power, get it and fix your mental health.
