Individual therapy provides assistance to many who are dealing with mental health concerns, drug abuse and other concerns, helping them to cope and live a more stable and healthy lifestyle. This review highlights when individual therapy is beneficial and who should consider it.
What Is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy (psychotherapy) is a popular form of therapy that involves only the therapist and the client. The purpose of individual therapy is to address specific challenges and problems that the client is facing, and learn ways to manage, cope and overcome these obstacles. Individual therapy is ideal for clients that may not feel comfortable in a group setting but require additional support from a mental health professional.
Individual therapy offers unique benefits that group therapy and family therapy cannot provide, such as the ability to speak about the specific issues the client faces. Many clients also feel more comfortable opening up about certain topics in ways they may not be willing to do when around family or peers.
Signs You Or A Loved One Should Consider Individual Therapy
Individual therapy helps the client deal with emotional distress and other mental health issues they may experience. Notable signs that therapy should be considered may be that you or a loved one struggles with excessive stress, insomnia, family problems, eating issues, anxiety, anger concerns and/or abuse. These are particularly concerning signs if the individual is dealing with substance abuse or has had one or more traumatic experiences.
Stress
Stress affects everyone, regardless of their age or life circumstances. We all must find ways to cope with stress each day in a healthy way; however, for some who may be dealing with troubled relationships, school, work or other concerns, stress is much more challenging to manage. Stress can also be a symptom of a mental health disorder such as anxiety. Individual therapy is beneficial for those who suffer from severe stress that leads to anxiety, excessive fatigue, health problems and other concerns.
Insomnia
Insomnia refers to persistent trouble falling or staying asleep which is often a result of lifestyle factors such as stress and anxiety. Insomnia can also be related to drug use as well. Insomnia on its own is not a serious concern and can typically be treated through lifestyle changes and medication (if appropriate). However, individual therapy may be beneficial or necessary for more serious instances of insomnia or insomnia that exists along with other symptoms.
Family problems
Family problems (or relationship problems with non-family members) can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. This often is a contributing factor in substance abuse, and it is important to properly address family problems when treating substance abuse and other issues that can result from a negative mental state. While not all family issues can be resolved, individual therapy helps clients learn how to cope with their family situations, in addition to situations with friends, a significant other and others that they may find important in their life.
Eating issues
Many who are dealing with issues of substance abuse, low self-esteem and other mental health problems may experience eating issues. Many may have a lack of an appetite or eat excessively as a coping mechanism. Eating issues may be a sign of anorexia or other eating disorders that often require professional support to properly treat long-term.
Anxiety
Anxiety is normal in stressful situations; however, crippling anxiety that causes shortness of breath, rapid breathing, fatigue and other severe symptoms is a sign of a more serious concern. More notably, long-term anxiety that is constant regardless of one’s current situation is an indicator of a more serious mental health condition or an anxiety disorder. This can contribute to substance abuse and make the path to recovery much more challenging. Individual therapy helps clients manage and overcome their anxiety long-term.
Anger Issues
Anger issues can also make substance abuse recovery more of a challenge, along with causing other lifestyle problems such as relationship problems. Individual therapy addresses anger issues by finding healthy and effective ways to cope with anger. Often, uncontrollable or irrational anger is a symptom of severe life circumstances or substance abuse and can be managed through therapy with a licensed therapist.
Abuse
Victims of physical or mental abuse can benefit from individual therapy. Therapy gives them the tools to manage and cope with their experiences by improving the way they view the situation and providing them with more control over how they feel and think each day.
Aquila Recovery Clinic Offers Individual Therapy
Get in touch with our friendly and professional recovery team today to learn more about individual therapy and to schedule a visit. We enjoy helping those within our local communities that may be struggling with substance abuse and related issues, and we look forward to helping you on your journey to a happier and healthier future.