Individual counseling is a personal opportunity to receive support and grow during difficult times in one’s life. Individual counseling can assist with a variety of personal issues such as anger, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, marriage and relationship difficulties, parenting issues, school difficulties, career changes, and so on.
Individual counseling (also known as psychotherapy, talk therapy, or treatment) is a one-on-one process in which clients work with a trained mental health clinician in a safe, caring, and confidential setting. Individuals can use counseling to explore their feelings, beliefs, and behaviors, work through difficult or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they want to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change.
Individual counseling focuses on the individual’s immediate or near future issues. Individual counseling may include career counseling and planning, grief counseling after the death of a loved one, or dealing with problems at work before they become major issues. Individual counseling is a one-on-one conversation between the counselor and the client, who is seeking treatment. The two form an alliance, relationship, or bond that allows for trust and personal development.
What Factors Influence Therapy Goals, Frequency, and Duration?
In general, the goal of psychotherapy is to help clients talk through their mental health issues and heal, grow, and move toward more productive, psychologically healthy lives. Good therapy is client-driven, and you and your therapist will decide on specific therapy goals.
Individual psychotherapy sessions usually last 45 to 50 minutes. The frequency and duration of therapy will be determined primarily by your needs, treatment objectives, and progress. Many issues can be resolved with short-term therapy, whereas other chronic or more complex issues require long-term commitment before improvement can be realized.
Psychotherapy has been shown in studies to reduce relapses of common conditions such as moderate depression and anxiety, and that the positive effects of good therapy extend far beyond treatment. In fact, many clients report that their conditions have improved long after therapy has ended. Psychotherapy is frequently more effective than psychotropic drugs or medical treatments alone, which can have negative side effects. Furthermore, many therapeutic modalities are evidence-based, which means they have been subjected to research studies and clinical observations, and their effectiveness has been evaluated.
What Happens in a Single Session or First-Time Short-Term Counseling Appointment?
If you agree that a single session or short-term individual counseling is the best treatment option for you, you will be offered the first available appointment that fits your schedule. If you have specific counselor preferences, you may have to wait longer for your first appointment. This initial appointment is typically scheduled within a few days to a few weeks. (Please keep in mind that if you require immediate assistance, please notify our staff so that we can connect you to the appropriate therapist as soon as possible.) The total time required is approximately 90 minutes, which includes filling out forms, the therapy session, and scheduling follow-up appointments, so keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment.
It is critical that you arrive on time to allow enough time to complete the necessary forms. You may be asked to reschedule if you are more than 15 minutes late. A demographic and clinical history form, a treatment agreement, consent to treatment, and a notice of privacy practices are among the forms included. Your clinician will learn about your current issues, relevant history, and goals. Your therapist will also go over any pertinent policies and procedures, such as confidentiality.
What Happens in Subsequent or Follow-Up Sessions if You Attend CAPS Short-Term Counseling?
You will meet with your counselor for approximately 45 minutes for subsequent or follow-up sessions, which will be scheduled according to a mutually agreed-upon plan. If you require additional counseling beyond what we can offer, we will work with you to locate a therapist in the community. You will work with your counselor to establish goals for your counseling sessions early on. Setting clear goals will give you direction and allow you to track your progress in counseling. If you have any questions or concerns about the counseling process, please contact your therapist, who will gladly discuss them with you. The issues you bring into counseling, your therapists perspective, and the goals you set for your work together will all influence the exact direction of your counseling experience.