Individual
Counseling

Individual therapy is one type of psychotherapy in which a trained professional helps a single person work through personal issues they have been facing. It is an effective treatment for a variety of emotional difficulties and mental illnesses. Also known as talk therapy, it can help improve or control symptoms that influence an individual’s well-being.

How does Individual Therapy Work?

Therapy sessions give you the opportunity to confidentially talk through problems or situations with a trained professional. It does not necessarily make problems disappear, but it equips you with the tools needed to cope with them more appropriately.

This type of therapy may be used in conjunction with other types of mental and behavioral health treatment, such as family therapy or substance abuse counseling.

Individual therapy is useful for many types of situations that cause stress, anger, grief or conflict. In a comfortable, private setting, you and a therapist will explore many different important issues, including (but not limited to):

• Expression of thoughts and emotions

• Behavior patterns

• Problem solving

• Conflict resolution

• Strengths and weaknesses

Individual therapy may be short-term (focusing on immediate issues) or long-term (delving into more complex problems). The number of sessions and the frequency of appointments depends on your situation and the recommendations of the therapist.

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A mental health evaluation gives a doctor, counselor, psychologist or other licensed professional a picture of the way a you feel, reason, think and remember. Through a series of question, a professional can diagnose a number of mental disorders.

Some mental disorders an evaluation may help diagnose include:

• Depression and mood disorders

• Anxiety disorders

• Eating disorders

• Attention Deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Substance abuse and addictive disorders

• Bipolar disorder

• Schizophrenia and psychotic disorders

In addition to determining if you suffer from a mental condition, the evaluation can help determine whether you have co-occurring substance use disorder. You shouldn’t be nervous about a mental health evaluation. Evaluations can help professionals understand your mental health needs and determine a treatment plan or path to recovery.

Some symptoms include:

• An unusual drop in functioning at work or school and in daily activities

• Changes in sleep or appetite

• Difficulty with memory, thinking and other mental tasks

• Feeling disconnected from surroundings

• Loss of desire, apathy

• Mood changes

• Paranoia or fear or others

• Unusual behavior

• Withdrawal or loss of interest from activities