Individual Therapy
The Importance of Individual Therapy
We believe that individual therapy is the bedrock of mental health change especially for alcohol or drug use and personal issues such as depression, anxiety and self esteem problems.
Collaborative Approach
Counseling with your therapist needs to be collaborative, where clients sort out thoughts and feelings to gain a better understanding of themselves.
As we explain in our Services section, we like to think of therapists as quarterbacks to your treatment. A more inclusive analogy like “coach” may be better, but we believe that our job is to support, coordinate, lead, or direct your treatment. You choose the position you want to play, you choose when and for how long you’ll play, and we negotiate together what route you’ll run and we do this collaboratively. Your job is to work, train, practice, and play (and have fun playing too.)
Tailored to Your Needs
Counseling varies from person to person. Some clients may seek advice or suggestions, while others may simply need to vent and be heard. Still others may need to be challenged or confronted.
Approaches to Individual Therapy
Our approaches are eclectic and integrative, with a focus on behavioral and cognitive-behavioral methods. We prioritize evidence-based and best practices approaches to treatment, continuously refining our techniques through peer and collegial consultation.
Uncovering Unconscious Thoughts
Most therapists believe that counseling helps uncover thoughts and feelings about ourselves that we haven’t previously fully recognized. Sigmund Freud referred to this process as making that which is unconscious conscious.
We trust that clients know deep down what should be talked about in therapy and that they mostly need help knowing how to access these thoughts and feelings in order to realize what it is they want and need from others and their lives.
Take the Next Step
Take the next step and schedule time to talk with us. Contact the JFA office with any questions and to schedule a consultation. With the guidance and support of a therapist, you can start recovery now.
The Therapeutic Relationship
We value a humanistic and client-centered approach, recognizing that the therapeutic relationship itself can be a source of learning and growth.
We find it often helps patients to know that their therapist is a regular guy or gal, a human being too, and much can be learned from the relationship of therapy.
Many clients come to a therapist’s office because they are struggling in their relationships. Paying attention to the dynamics of this relationship can provide insights into broader social interactions.
It can help you understand how your really importance social interactions (in your life outside of therapy) actually work.
Course of Treatment for Individual Therapy
We advocate for a “stepped level of care” approach.
This means early engagement in treatment can reduce the need for more intensive care, though it can be increased if necessary. At the same time treatment should be:
- the least drastic,
- the least intrusive in your life, and
- the least expensive.
To facilitate real and lasting changes. Treatment can be adjusted based on individual progress and needs.
In other words, we don’t need to whisk you away to rehab, detox, or a recovery house. That is often too drastic, intrusive, and expensive.
REal lasting changes
We want to see if clients can make changes while living their normal lives because if they can they are more likely to make real meaningful and lasting changes. The truth is that most people relapse after inpatient treatment and often it is because of the transition from that “level of care” to coming back home where there is less support. If you can build your support at home or in your current environment you may be better off than if you go to rehab in the first place.
An Example of Stepped Level of Care
Here is an example of how the stepped level of care approach could be personalized to a client. Remember this is only an example and each person’s care will look different.
- Someone may start individual treatment and come to therapy twice a month. But they find that doesn’t work and that they should come weekly.
- After coming weekly, they find they still feel depressed, are missing work or school, and still struggle to control their drinking. They then need to step it up and maybe come weekly and add maybe a medication consult or a group meeting once per week.
- Perhaps they still find they are struggling. Then maybe it’s time to start going to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) or to consider an intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP) or inpatient treatment.
- The concept is don’t just fire your therapist if you find things are not working. Talk with us and we can consider if we should ratchet therapy up a few notches, raise the ante, or recommend you double down and work a little harder in treatment and on yourself.
Our Hope for You
While our role as therapists is to support, coordinate, and guide treatment, the ultimate goal is for clients to eventually no longer require therapy, being able to manage challenges independently or with support from others.
Clarifying Expectations
We encourage clients to communicate their goals and expectations clearly. It can be helpful to ask us for exactly what you are looking for or wanting to accomplish, if you know what that is. However many clients do not know exactly what they want or need. Meeting with us for an evaluation or consultation allows us to clarify that and address any questions or concerns you may have.
There are no bad questions to ask and please feel free to ask ANYTHING that you would like. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.