Individual Psychotherapy in Los Angeles
Individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles is a form of therapy where the patient or client engages with a psychotherapy professional to discuss their personal mental and emotional issues. With individual psychotherapy, the patient and their individual needs remain the focal point in this healing service. At Montare Behavioral Health, individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles is just 1 of the wide array of treatments we provide.
The term psychotherapy refers to the practice of a patient talking through their mental health issues with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or licensed mental health professional. It also goes by such names as individual therapy, one-on-one therapy, or individual counseling. While there are many options for individual counseling, only individual psychotherapy is specific for the individual patient.
Individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles helps the patient discover new ways to create a resolution for problems they might have. For example, a psychotherapist might help a person who is struggling with a tragedy in their life. This tragedy may include some form of abuse or losing a loved one for example. During psychotherapy sessions, the therapist helps the person deal with the challenge.
Individual therapy takes place in a private setting, protecting the patient’s privacy. This private setting often helps the individual “open up” about their problems and their struggles in addressing them. That said if the psychotherapist or counselor fears for the safety of the patient or their loved ones, they may break the patient’s privacy. In such a case, local police or school authorities may have to be notified.
Mental Health Issues are Not the Only Reason for Individual Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is not only for mental health issues like depression or anxiety. It can also help with relationship conflicts. What is more, it can also help if an individual is simply “having a hard time.” Psychotherapy can also help with relieving stress.
If a person is going through a stressful situation, talking to a psychotherapist can help. Moreover, this type of therapy can help teach a person how to deal with situations in a healthier, more productive way. In many cases, individual psychotherapy can be an empowering journey of growth and increased self-awareness.
What Happens During an Individual Psychotherapy Session in Los Angeles?
Individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles calls for a conversation between the patient and the psychotherapist or counselor. Most often, it begins with a mental health assessment. During the assessment, the psychotherapist or counselor will determine what approach to take in addressing the patient’s mental health. Next, they will determine how long the therapy will last. The severity of the patient’s situation determines the duration of the therapy.
Sessions traditionally last 50 minutes. During this time, the patient and the psychotherapist or counselor discuss the individual’s personal background and experiences. In many instances, there are definitive moments in the patient’s life that led them to their mental health struggles. Sometimes they are born with mental health issues, while at other times their issues developed over time.
Since these sessions are completely private, the patient has the opportunity to express themselves honestly. In fact, for a therapy session to be successful, the patient must be honest with their therapist, trusting their innermost thoughts and feelings with them. For this reason, people often feel overcome with emotion during individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles. Thus, the right therapist will be able to help the patient through these feelings.
What are the Different Approaches in Individual Psychotherapy?
There are more than 50 types of therapeutic approaches, but 2 are by far the most common. Here The types someone is most likely to encounter include:
Cognitive-Behavior Therapy
Cognitive-behavior therapy or CBT is founded on the idea that negative behavior stems from negative thoughts. Additionally, this individual psychotherapy helps the patient address and resolve certain issues. It is thought that, by focusing on positive thinking, the individual will avoid the negative behaviors they are struggling with.
CBT has helped countless people with mental health disorders that involve compulsive eating and compulsive gambling, mild depression and anxiety, and a range of phobias. During CBT sessions, there is a focus on issues that are deep-seated. As a result, patients often express discomfort during sessions. Still, the counselor is there to help them cope with your deep-seated issues and offer approaches to deal with the discomfort.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, is most often used for people struggling with more severe and chronic personality disorders. Some of these include bipolar disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. DBT uses a problem-solving and acceptance-based framework to treat these mental health conditions.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychodynamic therapy is a “global therapy,” or form of therapy with a holistic focus on the perspective of the client. By contrast, CBT and DBT are problem-based therapies. They seek to reduce or eliminate the symptoms of certain mental health disorders or conditions. Psychodynamic therapy attempts to help clients find patterns in their emotions, thoughts, and beliefs in order to gain insight into their experiences.
Humanistic/Experiential Therapy
Humanistic or experiential therapy is an approach that emphasizes the importance of being “one’s true self” to gain happiness and self-fulfillment. It is based on the principle that everyone has a unique perspective on life. In turn, this unique perspective influences people’s choices, behaviors, and actions.
Often humanistic/experiential therapy allows patients to use expressive tools, activities, and other methods to recreate specific situations from their past. These tools can include props, role-playing, music, or art. This approach has proven helpful in treating trauma, behavioral disorders, grief, and compulsive behaviors.
Why Should Someone Seek Individual Psychotherapy in Los Angeles?
Sometimes the word “psychotherapy” has negative connotations, but this notion stems from outdated thinking. In fact, people who engage or have engaged in individual psychotherapy can go on to lead healthier, more productive lives filled with joy.
In individual psychotherapy, an individual can express their feelings without feeling judged. Then, the therapist offers an array of tools to cope with problems or issues, reversing harmful thought patterns. This reversal of thought patterns can help with triggers and stress, as well as the development of healthier relationships.
The Benefits of Individual Psychotherapy in Los Angeles
Individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles can greatly impact a person’s overall mental health. There are many reasons why people seek individual psychotherapy. Patients can and often do show improvement after just a handful of sessions. Hence, individual psychotherapy is most effective in treating disorders involving mood, phobias and anxiety, and other mental health disorders.
Finding a Qualified Therapist
Before starting individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles, it is important to find a qualified facility with qualified therapists. In other words, ones with the correct credentials and licenses. Just as important is that people trust their therapist or counselor.
Finding someone who is qualified and who they feel is the right fit for them can take some effort. In addition to finding out whether one’s therapist is licensed, they might also try to ensure their health insurance provider covers mental health therapy with this medical professional.
A helpful website to locate therapists is the American Psychological Association. This maintains a directory of psychotherapists across the US. In addition, someone may want to ask friends, family members, or their primary care physician for recommendations.
Get Started with Individual Psychotherapy in Los Angeles
Our professional psychotherapists can help in your mission to find the best, most appropriate individual psychotherapy in Los Angeles. If you or a loved one is struggling with mental issues, contact us today.
