What is Individual Therapy?
By Gillian Rodriguez, MA, LPC
As a therapist, one of the most common questions I get asked is, “What exactly is individual therapy?” Whether someone is considering therapy for the first time or just exploring options, understanding what individual therapy involves can help make the process feel a little less intimidating—and a lot more empowering.
So, What Is Individual Therapy?
At its core, individual therapy is a one-on-one, confidential conversation between you and a trained mental health professional (like me). It's a dedicated space where you can explore your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences without judgment.
Sessions usually last between 45 to 60 minutes, and the frequency can vary—some people come weekly, others biweekly, and some just check in as needed. The pace and goals are personalized based on what you want to work on.
Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or just feeling “off,” therapy is a place to unpack what's going on, gain insights, and learn practical strategies to help you feel more in control of your life.
A Safe Space for Healing and Growth
One of the most valuable parts of therapy is the therapeutic relationship. Think of it as a safe, collaborative partnership. You’re not just talking into the void; you’re working with someone trained to guide, support, and challenge you in meaningful ways.
There’s no need to have a major crisis or a clear diagnosis to seek therapy. In fact, many people start therapy to better understand themselves, improve communication skills, build self-esteem, or navigate a transition in life.
Specialties Within Individual Therapy: Grief and Trauma
While general therapy covers a broad range of emotional and psychological challenges, some therapists (like myself and many of my colleagues) have specialized training in specific areas. Two of the most vital areas are grief and trauma.
Grief Therapy
Grief is a natural response to loss—whether it's the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a job loss, or even changes in health or identity. But grief doesn’t follow a schedule or look the same for everyone.
In grief therapy, we focus on:
Processing the loss at your own pace
Finding ways to honor and remember what was lost
Navigating complex emotions like guilt, anger, numbness, or relief
Rebuilding a sense of meaning and connection
Grief therapy offers gentle, compassionate support during what can often feel like an isolating time.
Trauma Therapy
Trauma therapy helps individuals recover from experiences that have overwhelmed their ability to cope. This can include events like abuse, accidents, violence, childhood neglect, or ongoing stress from systemic oppression or unsafe environments.
Trauma therapy is grounded in safety and trust. Some of the approaches used may include:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Somatic experiencing
Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
The goal is not to re-live the trauma, but to work through it in a way that helps reduce symptoms like flashbacks, hypervigilance, dissociation, and emotional numbing—while restoring a sense of control and peace.
You Deserve Support
If you’ve ever felt like you “should be able to handle it on your own,” I want you to know: asking for help is not weakness. It’s wisdom.
Whether you're looking for general support or struggling with something specific like grief or trauma, individual therapy offers a path forward. You don’t have to go it alone.
