What Are The Benefits Of Individual Therapy?

Mental illness is on the rise as nearly 1 in 5 adults in the country live with a mental health problem. Though the stigma associated with mental illness has decreased, many people grappling with mental disorders still refuse to ask for help.

Ignoring a mental illness can prove to be a grave mistake. A mental disorder can affect one’s mental and physical health while causing their life to spiral out of control. If you are living with a mental illness, consider giving individual therapy near you a try.

What is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy is a type of psychotherapy that aims to equip patients with essential coping and life skills. In individual therapy, the therapist helps the patient work through the issues they are facing. Individual therapy gives patients opportunities to open up to someone they trust – their therapists.

Studies have shown that individual therapy is an effective form of treatment for different mental illnesses such as depression, OCD, and anxiety. Many people with substance-use problems seek out individual therapy to conquer their demons. Individual therapy can also help recovering addicts stay on the path to recovery.

A typical individual therapy session lasts 45 minutes to an hour. During individual therapy sessions, therapists conduct various exercises designed to help individuals with mental health conditions learn the skills required to manage their condition. There are two main types of individual therapy – cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychotherapy.

Depending on the nature and seriousness of the mental illness they are grappling with, a patient can stay in therapy for a few weeks to a few years.

Benefits

Individual therapy can help people with mental illnesses learn how to deal with negative emotions, thoughts, and feelings. A therapist can help you learn healthy coping skills and come up with a plan to effectively manage triggers.

Individual therapy can help you gain a better understanding of yourself, identify underlying causes of the mental health problems you are dealing with, and facilitate lifestyle changes.

A therapist can help you analyze your thoughts and emotions and cultivate self-awareness. A self-aware person is confident, communicates effectively, and makes better decisions.

Mental and physical health go hand in hand. People grappling with mental health problems are at higher risk for physical health problems. You can apply the skills you learn in therapy to manage your symptoms. As your symptoms subside, both your mental and physical health improve.

Your therapist will help you work on your existing skills. They will teach you ways to maintain your emotional and mental health and avoid triggers after therapy ends.

Battling a mental health problem? Cooper Mental Health Counseling can help. Our therapists have years of experience developing customized mental healthcare plans for our clients. To consult one of them, call (347) 244-7873.