What is Individual Therapy?
Individual therapy is a one-on-one conversation with a trained therapist where the focus is entirely on you—your thoughts, your experiences, and what you want to work through. It’s a space where you can be honest, ask tough questions, and start to make sense of things without judgment. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, past trauma, or just feeling stuck, therapy can help you understand what’s going on and find a path forward.
A lot of the work happens through conversations that help you recognize patterns—especially ones that might be holding you back. One approach we use is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on how your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we look at the stories you tell yourself, help you to learn new ways of “thinking about thinking”, and build tools to manage life more effectively.
Another powerful approach is Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which is especially helpful for people who feel overwhelmed by their emotions or struggle with intense relationships, impulsivity, or self-criticism. DBT blends acceptance with change—it helps you stay grounded in the present, manage distress in healthier ways, and learn new ways to handle strong, painful emotions.
Therapy isn’t about fixing you—it’s about helping you feel more in control of your life, more connected to yourself, and better equipped to handle what comes your way. Whether you’re looking for relief, growth, or more tools to cope with the challenges of life, individual therapy can be a powerful step toward feeling better.
Treatment Specialities at Transitions Counseling
What Happens In The First Several Therapy Sessions?
Before your session, you will receive an email from our electronic healthcare system called Opus. That email includes a link inviting you to register for your patient portal. Please register by following the on-screen instructions included in the email. The portal will contain your records, appointments, telehealth links, billing and payment information, and will be our secure platform to communicate. If you have trouble registering, please reach out to us as we may need to verify your email address or date-of-birth.
Access this guide for how to set up your patient portal account and review and sign documents before your appointment. You can complete forms on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
At your first individual counseling session, your therapist will ask about your history and current situation, as well as why you’re seeking therapy, and what you hope to gain from it. In other words, they will ask how your current situation or symptoms are getting in the way and what you’d like your life to look like when therapy is effective.
Your therapist will also check in with you about your preferences such as if you would like them to provide recommendations for how to practice therapy skills between sessions.
This information helps your therapist learn more about you and better understand how they can help.
After learning about your needs and goals, your mental health clinician will explain the types of treatment that might be helpful for you. They will then help you come up with a treatment plan to guide care towards your goals.
After the first few therapy sessions, the therapist may ask questions about your symptoms to help determine whether they are improving, staying the same, or getting worse. You might also discuss situations that happened between sessions, including difficult experiences and steps you can take to prevent or cope with similar issues in the future. The therapist will provide guidance and support, helping you develop coping strategies and build resilience to face life’s challenges.
Our therapy services at Transitions Counseling offers a personalized approach to mental health care. Whether you are seeking counseling for teens or counseling for adults, our experienced clinicians are dedicated to helping you achieve your therapeutic goals and improve your overall well-being.
How Can I Get The Most Out Of Therapy?
Starting therapy is a brave step, and it’s completely natural to feel a bit nervous or unsure in the beginning. In the early sessions, your therapist will focus on getting to know you and understanding the concerns that brought you in. Therapy requires openness and active participation, and it can take a little time before you begin to feel the benefits.
Counseling is a collaborative process—one that helps you explore your experiences, thoughts, feelings, and actions. It’s incredibly valuable to share your goals and preferences with your therapist along the way. If something doesn’t feel quite right or isn’t helping in the way you hoped, your feedback is not only welcome—it’s an essential part of the process.
Finally, one of the most important things you can do to get the most out of therapy is to attend regularly. The science behind modern therapy notes the best results are achieved with participation in a full course of therapy, which for many people is between 18 and 24 sessions. While every person is different, this amount of time is often needed to help make lasting changes, instead of just feeling better for a short time.
