When someone seeks out therapy or counseling for addiction, there are many options to choose from. Who delivers it, how it’s accessed, and how it’s approached all differ depending on the type of therapy a person seeks out. If individual therapy is the person’s choice, it is often helpful to know what to expect.
What Is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is a type of counseling that is also commonly referred to as psychotherapy or talk therapy. Trained mental health professionals deliver treatment in a safe, confidential, one-on-one setting. During this time, clients can explore their feelings and identify areas that may need work, including beliefs, behaviors, memory influences, or addictions. The overall goal of this type of therapy is to help the client talk through mental health concerns so that they can heal and move toward a healthier life.
Why Choose Individual Therapy
Psychotherapy has been shown to result in fewer relapses related to common conditions such as moderate anxiety and depression. The right kind of therapy can have long-lasting positive effects. Oftentimes, individual therapy is more effective than rehabilitation drugs or medical treatments alone, and techniques such as CBT and DBT are evidence-based, providing further backing to their effectiveness.
Individual therapy is known to have the following benefits:
- Effective for all ages
- Continued progress after treatment is completed
- Potential reduction of the need for medical intervention
- Fewer side effects than with the use of rehabilitative drugs
- May improve the daily functioning of those with mental health disorders
- Effective in addressing multiple issues
Types of Individual Therapy
Because each therapist approaches their counseling sessions differently depending on the client’s needs, it can be helpful to understand each type. Some of the most common types of individual therapy include:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT)
- Existential therapy
- Solution-focused therapy
- Motivational interviewing
- Psychodynamic therapy
The main three used in most individual therapy sessions are CBT, DBT, and EMDR.
CBT
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a process that works to assess how a person thinks and behaves to improve the way they feel. It is most helpful for mood disorders, substance use disorders, and sleep disorders. Because of this, it is often the individual therapy method used for those with co-occurring conditions.
DBT
As a newer form of therapy, dialectical behavior therapy helps clients build healthy coping skills. Mindfulness, stress tolerance, and emotional regulation are commonly used during the process.
EMDR
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is most commonly used to treat trauma and related disorders. In this process, bilateral stimulation is used to process and remove physical and psychological blockages.
What to Expect During an Individual Therapy Session
Individual therapy is different for each patient. The goals, frequency, duration, and techniques will depend on the client and even the therapist’s preference. Most sessions last between 45 and 50 minutes, occur at least once a week, and last as long as it takes to resolve the issues present. Psychotherapy begins after the client and therapist determine that it will be the most beneficial option. Afterward, forms to protect patient privacy and share clinical history are typically filled out. Often, the first appointment is used to discuss concerns, history, and goals so that the client and therapist can be on the same page. Through repeated sessions, the therapist and client can build trust and deepen the relationship to cover more ground toward recovery.
Choose Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery for Your Individual Therapy Needs
When it comes time for individual therapy, Colorado Medication Assisted Recovery can help. We work toward a complete recovery for clients who benefit from our highly accessible options, including remote telehealth, outpatient programs, and neuro-feedback. Visit our website or contact us at 833.448.0127 for more information.
