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Services: Individual Therapy

It’s your first day of individual therapy. As you walk into the office, a smiling, friendly therapist greets you and invites you to sit down in a comfortable chair or couch. The therapist casually sits down across from you and starts a conversation.

While every therapist has a unique way of working with clients, your new therapist may begin by telling you about their background and what to expect during your sessions. They may also ask questions about your life experiences, relationships and any current struggles or areas in which you’d like to see change. During treatment, your therapist will help you set goals and build skills that can help you recover from addiction or mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, mood disorders and more.

Licensed individual therapists are very different from the stereotypical film version of a therapist who sits formally behind a desk, silently scribbling notes as a client lies on a bench and talks. At FHE Health in Deerfield Beach, South Florida, your therapist will be a guiding partner who helps you create positive change in your life, develop or sustain good habits, and learn new, constructive patterns of thinking.

Key Takeaways
  • Individual therapy is one-on-one counseling between you and a licensed therapist, typically delivered in weekly 45–60 minute sessions over at least 16 weeks.
  • Sessions are private and confidential, with HIPAA protections and only narrow legal exceptions.
  • Common methods used in individual therapy include CBT, DBT, and EMDR — your therapist tailors the approach to your needs.
  • Individual therapy fits well for people who prefer privacy, are processing trauma or complex issues, are new to therapy, or have specific personal goals.
  • At FHE Health, individual counseling is woven into both addiction treatment and our mental health services track, and combines with group therapy and holistic services like acupuncture and massage.

What to Expect in Individual Therapy

In individual therapy, one client and one therapist work together in weekly 45-minute to one-hour sessions over a sustained period of time, typically at least 16 weeks. This ongoing, one-on-one therapeutic relationship is designed to help a client make long-lasting, positive changes in their life. With the therapist’s support and gentle guidance, clients are encouraged to speak freely during sessions about their current life struggles, fears and emotions.

To help people feel safe discussing their intimate personal events, thoughts and feelings, all individual therapy sessions are private and confidential. Additionally, depending on their specific training and the client’s needs, the therapist may employ one or more methods of therapy. Potential methods include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and EMDR. Areas of focus may cover addiction recovery, improving relationships, emotional regulation and processing trauma.

Structure of Individual Therapy

When a person first begins individual therapy, the therapist will dedicate time to getting to know as much about the client as possible. The therapist may ask questions about the client’s mental and physical health histories, family members and other close relationships, job history, significant life events and more.

The therapist also asks about the areas in which the client has concerns or struggles and hopes to improve. The therapist will explain their treatment methods and counseling style, and the new client can ask any questions that come to mind.

Because it’s important that the client feels comfortable with the therapist, the first one or two therapy sessions are also good times to decide if the therapist’s personality, communication style, and areas of expertise feel like a good match. If not, the therapist may be able to provide recommendations for a professional who may be a better fit.

Once the therapist has learned about the client’s needs and the client feels comfortable progressing with therapy, the two will create a plan that can include setting treatment goals, session frequency, and how they’ll track progress.

Often in sessions, while the therapist may prompt the client and ask questions, the client will do most of the talking. The therapist may take opportunities to challenge negative thoughts and give the client the space to feel and express their emotions in a safe environment. Because new situations are likely to arise within the client’s life as therapy progresses, sessions are also typically flexible to allow people to discuss their most pressing events and struggles.

Over time, sessions may also include any of the following:

  • Practicing grounding, breath and mindfulness exercises
  • Completing homework such as journaling and worksheet assignments
  • Practicing positive self-talk
  • Roleplaying
  • Learning to set boundaries
  • Strengthening relationships
  • Finding healthy, creative outlets to express emotions
  • Developing alternative coping skills to drug addictions or other self-defeating behaviors

Methods of One-on-One Therapy

There are multiple types of one-to-one therapy. Your therapist may use one or more of the following techniques, depending on your needs and goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive behavioral therapy is a method of talk therapy that explores the connections between a client’s thoughts and actions. In CBT, a therapist dedicates time to helping clients uncover and examine any negative thoughts they may have that, in turn, negatively affect their behaviors and the way they interact with the world.

For instance, a person may make a mistake at work or not get the promotion they were hoping for. If negative, self-defeating thoughts such as “I’m no good” or “I don’t deserve that, anyway” arise, so may feelings of sadness or anger. In an attempt to escape from these feelings, a person may turn to food, alcohol or drugs.

Through CBT, a trained therapist uses functional analysis and skills training to help clients recognize and then reframe thoughts like these, making way for more positive feelings and healthier behaviors.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Through dialectical behavior therapy, therapists help clients use mindfulness and other techniques to better understand and regulate their emotions, cope with traumatic events and improve their relationships. Therapists use DBT in one-on-one therapy by helping clients identify harmful behaviors and learn new problem-solving skills to replace these behaviors with positive, productive ones.

EMDR

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR) is sometimes integrated with individual therapy as a way to help people quickly heal from past traumatic events and better cope with current difficulties. Therapists use a combination of external stimuli and an eight-phase approach where clients focus on specific memories of trauma, process those memories and begin to replace negative feelings with positive beliefs. The Permanente Journal states that out of 10 studies, seven reported EMDR as a faster and more effective treatment option for trauma than trauma-focused CBT.

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Benefits of Individual Counseling

While people can connect with and learn from others who share similar experiences in group counseling, individual counseling gives clients focused, one-on-one attention from their therapist.

These are some of individual counseling’s many benefits:

  • One-on-one therapy sessions are private. While you may not always feel comfortable or have time in group therapy to talk about certain thoughts, feelings or experiences, individual counseling sessions may give you the comfort, freedom and space to do so.
  • Individual psychotherapy is confidential. Therapists are bound to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) laws of confidentiality, with the only possible exceptions being state laws that determine when a therapist must report a client’s neglect of a child or elder or serious intent to harm themselves or others.
  • It’s all about you. With more time to focus solely on you and your needs than in a group therapy session, the therapist can tailor your treatment plan specifically to you.
  • You can develop a closer relationship with your therapist than you would in a group therapy setting. This can also foster a deeper sense of trust toward your therapist.

When Is Individual Therapy the Right Choice?

Whether individual therapy is right for you depends on your situation and preferences. It could be a good fit if you feel more comfortable with a one-to-one approach or need support tailored to a specific target.

Consider individual therapy if:

  • You prefer privacy. Individual therapy can be helpful for people who feel more comfortable discussing personal or challenging issues one-on-one.
  • You need help with complex or sensitive problems. Working one-to-one with a therapist may be more suitable for those dealing with trauma, severe mental health problems or highly complex personal circumstances.
  • You’re exploring therapy for the first time. If you’re new to therapy, one-to-one sessions can provide a comfortable introduction before exploring group sessions or other treatment types.
  • You have a specific goal in mind. Individual therapy provides personalized support when you want to target a particular challenge or behavior pattern.

Determining the right therapy option for you is deeply personal. The highly qualified professionals at FHE Health can help you make the most suitable choice for your needs and treatment goals.

Individual Counseling at FHE Health

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“Overall positive experience at FHE. The therapists and staff genuinely cared about my progress. The center is beautiful and it was wonderful in sunny Florida! They go above and beyond in staying connected with you after treatment.” – Alan S.
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At FHE Health, we believe that successful addiction and mental health treatment involves caring for the whole person. For over two decades, our dual-accredited programs have supported a diverse range of individuals to enjoy happier, healthier lives.

When you start treatment at our South Florida clinic, our multidisciplinary team will design a personalized, responsive program to meet your medical, psychological and social needs. Our board-approved psychiatrists, certified therapists and other highly trained professionals collaborate to deliver evidence-based treatments to address the root cause of substance abuse disorders and facilitate long-term recovery.

Individual counseling is an important part of FHE Health’s comprehensive addiction treatment program and a vital component of inpatient and outpatient treatment in the program’s continuum of care. Additionally, we provide individual counseling as part of our mental health services track, supporting recovery from anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, PTSD and more. Depending on your needs, individual treatment can combine with group therapy and our holistic care services such as acupuncture and massage to enhance your wellbeing.

If you or a loved one requires individual counseling services, either through inpatient residential or outpatient services, please let us know. To contact us and learn more, complete our simple online form.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Individual Therapy

How long will I need individual therapy?
The length of your treatment depends on your needs, goals and circumstances. For some people, a few months of individual therapy is effective, while others require long-term support. Our care team will work with you to determine the most appropriate timeline as your treatment progresses.
Is my therapy session truly private?
Yes, therapy sessions at FHE Health are confidential, and therapists must follow strict confidentiality regulations. There are some limited exceptions, such as reporting situations involving the neglect or abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult.
What if I don't connect to my therapist?
Not connecting with your therapist right away is normal, and it’s okay to say if the fit doesn’t feel right. A strong therapeutic relationship can improve your experience during treatment and increase your chances of recovery. We’re always happy to discuss any concerns and help you find a therapist who best suits your needs.
How do I know if individual therapy is working?
When individual therapy is working well, you’ll notice positive changes in your thoughts, behavior or emotional well-being. For example, you may feel you’re coping better with challenging situations or experiencing healthier relationships. These changes can take time, and your therapist will work with you to track your progress and adjust your treatment as required.

Ready to Make a Change?

We understand that the treatment process can be difficult at times. At FHE, we are committed to assisting you in making progress towards a new life free from the grips of addiction.

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(833) 596-3502

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