What Is Individual Therapy?
Mental health issues are on the rise. Nearly one in five adults in the country has a mental health problem. While people becoming more receptive to discussing mental health, many people are reluctant to reveal they have a mental health problem. They hesitate to seek help due to the stigma associated with the topic until their condition takes a sharp turn for the worse.
Understanding Individual Therapy
Everyone needs help at some point. If you are going through a rough patch or are grappling with a psychological problem or a mental health illness, give individual therapy near you a try.
Individual therapy is a type of psychotherapy in which a therapist helps the patient work through personal issues they have been facing. In individual therapy, the therapist encourages the person seeking therapy to talk about their feelings and emotions while teaching them coping skills.
Individual therapy is an effective treatment for a number of mental illnesses and emotional difficulties. Many people with substance abuse issues also seek out individual therapy to conquer their inner demons and remain on the path to sobriety.
Individual therapy aims to improve an individual’s emotional and mental health while helping resolve troublesome beliefs, behaviors, thoughts, or emotions. A psychotherapist helps their patients learn skills for happy relationships and work on their social skills.
A typical individual therapy session can last between 45 minutes to an hour. Depending on treatment goals and the patient’s condition, therapy can last anywhere from a few weeks to a year.
Forms of Individual Therapy
There are two primary forms of individual therapy: psychoanalysis and cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Psychoanalysis (sometimes known as depth psychology) is used to treat mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression. The aim of psychoanalysis is to release repressed emotions and experiences. The patient is encouraged to talk freely about personal experiences.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (or CBT) is a type of talk therapy. It has been demonstrated to be effective for a number of problems including anxiety disorders, marital problems, alcohol or drug use problems, and eating disorders.
The aim of CBT is to:
- Help an individual recognize and evaluate distortions in thinking
- Equip an individual with problem-solving and coping skills
- Encourage a person to face their fears
- Help an individual learn skills to calm their mind and body
In CBT, the therapist and the patient work together in a collaborative environment to gain an in-depth understanding of the problem and develop a treatment strategy.
Differences Between Individual Therapy and Group Therapy
In individual therapy, a therapist works one-on-one with the patient. The patient is encouraged to talk about their problems in a comfortable environment. This is different from group therapy in which many patients are asked to share their experiences and feelings with each other.
Both therapies are used to treat a number of mental health and psychological problems. One therapy may be preferable to the other in certain situations. To determine which therapy is right for you, talk to a licensed mental health professional near you.
Who Can Benefit from Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy may be right for you if:
- You experience negative emotions such as anger and sadness
- You are struggling with substance abuse
- You are experiencing trauma
- You are struggling to handle problems at work
- Your relationship has hit a rough patch
- You no longer enjoy the activities you once loved
How Can Individual Therapy Help?
Your therapist can help you learn skills that you need to become more functional in society. You will learn how to deal with complex emotions and feelings and relationship problems. Your therapist will work with you to develop a coping strategy. If you fell off the wagon after a period of sobriety, your therapist will help you overcome addiction.
Your therapist will help you become self-aware and manage overwhelming emotions. The professional will encourage you to work on difficult emotions instead of ignoring them, helping you take control of your mental health.
You will learn effective coping skills. Coping strategy selection will depend on different factors, such as your gender, condition, and personality. Some people feel relieved after simply opening up to someone (can be a friend, therapist or family member) about what they’re going through, others find stress-relieving activities such as exercising, drawing, or playing a musical instrument helpful.
Your therapist will help you find ways outside of therapy to improve your mental health. You can use these tips and tricks to maintain your emotional and mental health and avoid triggers after ending therapy.
Individuals in therapy are often in the process of making lifestyle changes. Whether you are trying to overcome addiction, are dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic experience such as a car accident, or coping with the loss of a loved one, your therapist will stand by you and support you like a true friend.
Are you feeling that your mental or emotional health is going downhill? Give individual therapy near you a try. At Cooper Mental Health, we are committed to patient health and wellbeing. We will create a treatment plan to fit your specific mental healthcare needs. To learn more, call us at (347) 244-7873.
