Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, talk therapy, or counseling. It is a joint process through which clients work one-on-one with a licensed therapist in a safe, caring, and confidential environment. Clients explore their feelings, beliefs, or behaviors, work through challenging or influential memories, identify aspects of their lives that they would like to change, better understand themselves and others, set personal goals, and work toward desired change.  

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People seek therapy for a wide variety of reasons, from coping with major life challenges or childhood trauma, to dealing with depression or anxiety, to simply desiring personal growth and greater self-knowledge. Therapy can help people overcome obstacles to emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. It can also increase positive feelings, such as compassion and self-esteem.

 

People in therapy can learn healthy skills for managing difficult situations, making positive decisions, and reaching goals. Many find they enjoy the therapeutic journey of becoming more self-aware, and some people pursue ongoing therapy for self-growth. A client and therapist may work together for as few as five or six sessions or as long as several years, depending on the client’s unique needs and personal goals for therapy.