For those who struggle with addiction and mental health challenges, the path to healing takes time and effort. However, individual therapy at The Perry Clayman Project is one way that can help the process. Individual therapy is a collaborative process between a therapist and a person. It involves the therapist and a person talking through issues, feelings, and solutions that can improve their mental health and life.
There are multiple types of individual therapy. These vary in their approach to issues, the format of therapy, and more. While some therapists will use mainly one technique, others may offer multiple methods to help individuals work through different challenges and learn new skills. As a result, working with each therapist will be a different experience. Finding the right fit often takes time.
The goal of therapy will vary for each person and will change throughout the process. However, the purpose of individual therapy often includes improving well-being, working through challenges, and learning skills. The approach of individual therapy will vary. As a part of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, different methods will be used for each person in order to help them find solutions and build long-term change.
Why Would a Person Need Individual Therapy?
Many people struggle with their mental health and drugs and alcohol addiction, and there are many reasons why a person would need or want individual therapy. Those who are struggling with functioning on a daily basis with no clear physical reason might seek help from a therapist. This can include having difficulty with sleep, motivation, or mood. However, many individuals also seek individual therapy as a part of a solution to a bigger problem such as addiction, stress, or overall health.
Getting help for mental health is a good choice. While a person can build skills on their own, working with a mental health professional can make the process more effective. Mental health care professionals are trained in how the brain works. They act as a guide for a person’s mental health. Therefore, when feelings or situations appear murky or confusing, a therapist can improve clarity. This helps an individual to make changes in their lives that improve their overall well-being, mental health, and addiction recovery.
The specifications of individual therapy will vary for each person. For some, a short bout of therapy will be enough. Other individuals will find it helpful and necessary to work with a therapist for a longer period of time. When a person is struggling to maintain their mental health, they will know that it is time to seek help. For someone who has had some therapy, this might include a return of old symptoms. However, for those who are just thinking about therapy, this might look like some of the following symptoms:
- Unable to function regularly
- Loss of interest in normally enjoyable activities
- Difficulty with sleep
- Addiction or drug and alcohol abuse
- Difficulty with communication
- Unstable moods
- Lack of concentration or focus
How Does Individual Therapy Aid in Recovery?
When a person is struggling with drug and alcohol use or addiction, going to a rehabilitation centre, like The Perry Clayman Project, is necessary. Rehabilitation is a combination of techniques that help a person to heal both physically and mentally. Individual therapy helps a person’s recovery process by aiding in communication skills, coping skills, and healing from trauma.
Communication Skills
Through individual therapy, a person can work on improving their communication skills in a safe place. Improving communication skills with a therapist entails discussing communication issues that have occurred in a person’s life. However, it also involves practising new skills with the therapist.
Better communication skills allow an individual to have relationships and community, both of which are important in recovery. By having the skills to improve and grow relationships with loved ones, an individual is more likely to have support. Additionally, these relationships will give a person a deep and meaningful reason to stay sober.
Coping Skills
Individual therapy is individualised to meet the person’s needs. Therefore, it is an ideal place to learn new coping skills. While working with a therapist, an individual can recognise patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in their lives. Many of these patterns play a role in their drug and alcohol use.
Coping skills like setting and maintaining boundaries, managing stress, and getting regular exercise are all examples of skills that are important in recovery. When individuals work with a therapist, they can improve their understanding of the value of these skills. Additionally, they can break them down to both learn new skills and better the coping skills they have.
Trauma
Many individuals with addiction and mental health challenges have a history of trauma. Individual therapy can help them to heal. As an individualised approach, the person and therapist can work together and work through their experiences. This might involve talking through the initial trauma and how it impacts their current life.
Healing from trauma is an important part of recovery. When a person has unprocessed trauma, they often find themselves reaching for drugs and alcohol as a way to deal with the symptoms of trauma. During individual therapy, a person can work through their trauma, which helps to decrease these symptoms. Additionally, they can learn healthier ways to manage symptoms related to their trauma. This helps them to stay sober long-term, as many trauma survivors experience symptoms throughout their lives.
Individual therapy is an important part of addiction recovery and is often part of the bigger picture of drug and alcohol addiction treatment at The Perry Clayman Project (PCP). To learn more about individual therapy and addiction treatment, call 08000 380 480 today.