Individual Therapy and Counseling — Find a Therapist Near You

Individual therapy is different from group therapy. While individual therapy occurs in a one-on-one and private setting, group therapy is a meeting between one or more therapists and several individuals.

Some people find group therapy helpful because hearing the challenges and successes of others in similar situations can serve as a guiding light. Others prefer the privacy and personalized attention in individual therapy that can create a highly supportive environment for growth and change.

How Individual Therapy Can Help

People who attend individual therapy do so for various reasons. When you attend your first session, your therapist will ask about your goals for therapy–it’s okay if you’re not sure about your goals at first. With these goals set, your therapist will guide you to achieve them based on your unique needs and life situations.

To reach your goals, you’ll overcome various obstacles. Clients commonly seek therapy for help with behavioral conditions like anxiety disorders that include panic and obsessive-compulsive disorders, agoraphobia, social anxiety disorders, ADHD, and eating disorders.

Others experience depression or major depressive disorder or have difficulty processing trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder or grief and loss. Many clients also need assistance with addiction recovery to rebuild their lives.

Others may simply have trouble managing stress or low self-esteem. Major life transitions like career changes, moving, or a divorce can also encourage you to seek expert advice. Managing relationship problems and personal issues can also lead you to want to set new life goals and grow stronger to succeed.

Choosing to work with an individual therapist can provide the space and support that you need to discuss issues and find solutions to life’s challenges. The personal connection that you’ll develop with your therapist creates an atmosphere of trust, openness, and personal safety that supports open and honest communication.

The information you discuss with your therapist is completely confidential, allowing you to speak freely and without judgment. Since your therapist doesn’t have a personal stake in the outcome of situations in your life, they can offer support in a different way than close friends and family.

FAQs

Is Online Therapy as Effective as In-Person Therapy?

Researchers have demonstrated that online therapy is just as effective as going to an in-person session. Many actually find online therapy more convenient than meeting in person because you can access mental health care from the comfort of your own home.

Online therapy also allows you to connect with therapists who specialize in specialized fields that meet your needs, no matter their location.

What Types of Issues Can Individual Counseling Help With?

Individual counseling addresses a wide range of issues in your personal and professional lives. You can seek expertise to manage anxiety and related disorders, depression, trauma, addiction, relationship and parenting issues, your own personal growth, and life transitions.

How Do I Know if Therapy is Working?

Therapy doesn’t typically provide quick fixes for life’s challenges. Progress tends to be gradual, and you may experience ups and downs as you and your therapist work together to understand your mental health situation and find strategies that are a good fit for your needs.

Signs that therapy might be working are improved coping strategies, increased ability to cope with stress, better sleep, clearer thinking, and healthier relationships. Your therapist may periodically revisit your goals and ask you to self-evaluate your progress so you can confirm you’re moving in the right direction.

Finding the Right Individual Therapist for You

It can take some time to find a therapist who is a good fit for you. Doing your homework can help you narrow down your options.

Consider these factors when choosing a therapist:

Credentials: It’s important to choose a licensed mental health professional. Credentials to look for include a licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), doctor of psychology (PsyD), and doctor of philosophy (PhD).

Specialization: Some therapists specialize in treatment for specific issues, such as trauma, anxiety, eating disorders, or depression. If you have a special mental health condition, make sure a candidate therapist can meet those needs.

Therapeutic approach: Therapists use different treatment modalities, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), psychodynamic therapy, or eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). Take some time to explore different approaches to learn what work best for you.

Personal fit: You should feel comfortable with your therapist. It’s normal to “shop around” for therapy, and it’s OK to take some time after your first session to consider whether you’d like to move forward.

Logistics: Consider both online and in-person options when choosing your therapist. You’ll also want to consider the session length and frequency preferred by each therapist you’re considering.

What to Expect in Your First Therapy Session

If you’re nervous going into your first therapy session, it’s okay. You’re not alone. It’s normal to feel anxious, and feel free to communicate those feelings to your therapist.

First therapy sessions typically begin with an intake or assessment. Your therapist will ask you questions about your background to get an understanding of your history. They’ll also talk with you about why you decided to try therapy and what you hope to get out of your work together.

Your therapist may ask several questions during the intake process, including:

Have you ever had therapy before?
What was your childhood like?
Have you ever experienced trauma?
What mental health symptoms are you experiencing?
What’s currently the biggest challenge in your life?
How would you describe your support system?

It’s a good idea for you to ask your therapist questions as well. Inquiring into their therapeutic modality can help you learn if they’re a good fit for you, and it’s good to let them know that you’re in the process of finding a long-term practitioner.

Toward the end of your first appointment, your therapist will likely discuss a potential treatment plan. Please continue to ask questions to get a better idea of whether you’d like to move forward with treatment.

Flexible Therapy Options: In-Person and Online

When choosing between in-person and online therapy, consider a few different factors. You may find that face-to-face interactions can create a stronger bond with your therapist, and that meeting in person encourages a more immersive experience with fewer distractions.

Online therapy can be a great fit for those who feel most comfortable attending sessions from home or for those who live in areas where it’s harder to attend a live session. Online sessions can also be a good fit for those who have mobility issues, experience social anxiety, or have busy schedules that make it harder to travel to in-person therapy sessions.