Individual Therapy
A General Outline
Beginning
Making the first step of letting someone else know how you are doing, is often one of the most difficult hurdles on the path of mental wellness. Reaching out for help does not imply weakness, in fact, it means exactly the opposite. Allowing oneself to be vulnerable is a sign of true strength. Therapy can build off that strength, with the use of evidence based treatment, and help someone to reach their full potential. A clinical interview is used to make an assessment of current mental health and functioning, to provide a reference point as sessions progress and change occurs.
Process
You are the most important person in this process. The skills and techniques that are used in therapy are determined by what will be most beneficial for you. This may vary from practicing relaxation skills, to problem solving and goal setting, to evaluating and changing patterns of thinking. Your input and feedback helps guide therapy as it moves forward. Therefore, building a strong therapeutic relationship is very important. Therapy needs to be a safe place to feel and process emotions without fear of being judged. This environment helps nurture growth and development, allowing you to take the skills you’ve learned into the rest of your daily life.
End Game
The end result of therapy may look different for each individual. This is due to the highly personal nature of therapy. Everyone is different, and will have a different set of strengths and values. The overall goal of therapy is to identify what those strengths and values are, and then create a plan to utilize those strengths in a way that will keep you on the path most in tune with your personal values. Ultimately, once treatment is complete, you will be able to maintain the skills you’ve learned on your own, and maybe even pass on your knowledge to others.