Whether you are considering therapy for yourself, or gathering information for a loved one. We have laid out all the key pieces of information you may need to help solidify your decision to reach out, but if there is anything else you would like to ask, please do not hesitate to contact us.
What kind of issues can adults seek therapy for?
People seek therapy for major life stressors, symptoms that can’t be explained by other conditions, chronic illnesses, short-term problems, emotional or physical well-being, stress management, self-confidence improvement, grief processing, relationship problems, job stress, and difficult or traumatic life events. You can see an extensive list of some of the issues commonly treated in therapy here.
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There is a common misconception that if you attend therapy you are "weak" or "crazy" (unfortunately this stigma is more prevalent in men) but this couldn't be further from the truth. Recognising you need support, and having the courage to reach out for that support is not only immensely brave, but it showcases ones resourcefulness, and self-awareness, and ambition to learn, heal and grow as a human being.
What will individual therapy sessions look like?
Following a free consultation, you will be booked in for your assessment session. This is usually between 1-2 hours long and in this assessment your therapist will gather information about your history, and current symptoms to develop a therapeutic plan of action that targets your presenting problems. The assessment effectively helps both you and your therapist identify what the problem is, why the problem is there, how it has developed, and how you can go about solving it.
Sessions following the assessment are usually 50 minutes long, unless otherwise arranged, and It is recommended to attend once a week when first starting this journey.
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It is difficult for us to specify how long you may require therapy for as every individual is different, as are the circumstances around why they are attending therapy in the first place, but we usually recommend a minimum of 12 sessions following the assessment to ensure all parts of your problems or illness have been discussed and we are able to see some significant clinic improvement. However, we may recommend more or less sessions depending on issues that present themselves in the assessment, and throughout the consecutive sessions.
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Your feedback is crucial throughout the entire therapeutic process. Although your therapist can help you in directing your sessions, it is important to understand that you are in control of your progress, and the goals you have in therapy. If you find that a certain approach is not working for you, is it important to share this with your therapist so they can adjust their interventions according to your preferences. Psychotherapists are professionals highly trained to keep your best intentions in mind and customise your treatment to fit your specific needs, likes and desires.
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In any therapy session, the focus is on working towards your goals so you can go from where you are now, to where you would like to be. Focusing on your strengths, your therapist will help you to develop specific goals and work week by week on moving forward. Your therapist will help you bring awareness to your problems and your thoughts about them, develop goals that set you up for not only successful treatment, but to also build a psychological toolkit you can use long after your therapy has ended. You will identify coping strategies and techniques, learn new skills in managing emotions and behaviours, and identify and utilise your own person strengths.
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Pros of individual therapy
​Emotional and Psychological Benefits
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Attending therapy can help you gain a better understanding of your emotions, thinking patterns, history, triggers, and help you develop your self-awareness. By exploring your thoughts, feelings and behaviours and past experiences with a therapist, you can learn tools and strategies to better manage your emotions and responses. Over time, this can lead to greater emotional stability, improved mood, and reduced anxiety and stress.
If are already aware of the mental health issue you are struggling with, then regularly seeing a therapist will almost certainly help you work through this issues in a safe, and supported environment. You don’t have to suffer alone!
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Improvement in Relationships
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Therapy will help improve both your personal and professional relationships with others. By learning and practicing better communication skills, increasing empathy and understanding your own emotions, gaining insight into your own behaviours and patterns, and just generally healing and growing as a person, you’ll likely develop stronger, healthier relationships that’ll also help improve your overall well-being. The more you know yourself, the better you’ll be able to present this version of yourself, and engage with others in a positive, healthy way. Overall, therapy can definitely lead to deeper trust and connection with others.
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Better Coping Mechanisms
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With a good therapist, you can learn new coping mechanisms for dealing with difficult situations that can cause unwanted reactions. Talking therapy allows you to discuss things back-and-forth to get helpful feedback, advice, and guidance about how you’re implementing changes. By learning techniques to manage stress, anxiety, and other challenges with the help of a therapist, you can develop greater resilience and adaptability over time. This helps you navigate life's ups and downs with greater ease, happiness, and confidence.
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Reliable Guidance
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Finding the right therapist for the type of issues you are experiencing is key to a positive therapeutic experience. The right therapist will have extensive experience in what you are struggling with, and they will fully connect with you, your goals for meaningful self-growth, and you will feel completely comfortable in their presence. Therapists are all bound by confidentiality, so even if you don't feel comfortable talking to someone in your personal life, rest assured the theraputic space is safe, non judgemental, and there to fully support, and validate your feelings.
Cons of individual therapy
While therapy can be incredibly helpful for many people, there are also some potential downsides to consider before cementing your decision.
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Emotional Discomfort
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Emotional discomfort that can arise from discussing difficult or painful experiences. This is why many people try to avoid doing that very thing for so long prior to attending therapy. Sometimes your therapist may guide you to dive deeper into emotions or memories, which you have avoided for a substantial amount of time, and this may cause an unwanted emotional reaction. While therapy can be a safe and supportive space to explore difficult, upsetting, or even traumatic issues, it can also be challenging and emotionally challenging. It's very important to be prepared for the possibility of feeling vulnerable or uncomfortable during therapy sessions, and to ensure you are well supported in the time following a session, especially ones where you may have been discussing something traumatic, or upsetting. We would recommend creating a self-care plan for how to take care of yourself right after sessions. That plan could include a relaxing bath, journaling, taking a class at the gym, going for a walk, meeting up with a trusted friend, or something else that you know will work for you.​
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Not connecting with your therapist
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In our opinion, one of the most important parts of the therapeutic process is that you make a connection with your therapist and that they give you hope that things can improve. A connection that makes you feel safe, seen, supported, and confident they are experienced in the issues you are coming to the sessions with. Most therapists will offer a free consultation, so please take advantage of this and see how you feel in their presence. Throughout your therapeutic journey there may be times when you will feel vulnerable, and exposed, so going into these sensitive sessions with a therapist you feel comfortable with sharing intimate details of your thoughts, feelings, and life in general, is vital in seeing a significantly positive clinical outcome. Remember, a therapist works for you; your needs, and your well-being are the most important part of the entire process.
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Time and Financial Commitment
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You will need to consider if you have the time to commit to therapy. Although you may only attend a session with a therapist once a week, there will usually be "homework" set by the therapist, and although it is completely up to you if you complete these tasks, you have to remember to achieve personal growth, or to heal from certain traumas, you will need to set time aside to work on yourself outside of the therapy sessions.
If you are seeking private therapy (not NHS funded) then these sessions will need to be self-funded - unless you have private insurance that will cover them, or your employer is willing to provide financial assistance. This can be an extra financial obligation which could last a minimum of a couple of months on top of your regular outgoings, so this should be taken into consideration when seeking out therapy.