What Is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is a process focused on helping you heal and learn more constructive ways to deal with the problems or issues in your life. At the onset of treatment, you and your therapist will collaboratively decide upon specific goals and the plan for reaching those goals.

Often there will be a psycho-educational component to the ongoing sessions. This allows individuals to learn more about what they are dealing with, as well as new coping strategies. Sometimes clients will be asked to do homework or practice a technique outside of the office.

Most therapy today is short-term and lasts less than a year. Most common mental disorders can often be successfully treated in this time frame, often with a combination of therapy and medications.

In cases where a client simply wants to solve a particular problem or is having a hard time moving beyond an issue, there is Brief Therapy. Brief therapy focuses on a specific problem and a direct intervention. In Brief Therapy, the therapist works more pro-actively with the client in order to treat clinical and subjective conditions faster. It also emphasizes precise observation, utilization of natural resources, and temporary suspension of disbelief to consider new perspectives and multiple viewpoints.

Therapy is most successful when the individual has a strong desire to change. Change means altering those aspects of your life that aren’t working for you any longer. It is also best to keep an open mind while in therapy, and be willing to try out new things that ordinarily you may not do. With non-judgmental support and guidance, clients can expect to gain a greater sense of empowerment, purpose, and fulfillment in their lives.