Individual therapy involves just two people: the patient and the therapist. While the exact duration and frequency of individual therapy can change, sessions often last for forty-five minutes to one hour. Most people undergo an individual therapy session once per week, but this may depend on the stage of the substance use disorder or their individual needs.

Individual therapy can address the specific problems a person might have. In the world of addiction treatment, common problems might be the shame that society associates with drug or alcohol addiction, the difficulty of recovery withdrawal, or struggles with relapse. Certain modalities of individual therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, focus on the actions people take that lead to unfavorable outcomes. Other forms, such as dialectical behavioral therapy, help to build resilience skills that help with overall healing from substance abuse.

Above all, individual therapy works by allowing patients to have a safe space where they can share information without judgment. Therapists are in a unique position where patients trust them with sensitive information. Patients know that their therapists won’t pass judgment or cause problems in their relationships or careers based on what is said in an individual session. This is often essential support when recovering from addiction, rebuilding relationships with family members, and other aspects of healing from substance abuse.

Individual therapy enables an individual to achieve a more personal connection with an addiction therapist than group therapy. Individual therapy sessions are completely private, which can encourage patients to be more open and honest about their feelings and experiences. Those who are hesitant to share during group therapy sessions may have less trouble in individual therapy. This willingness to open up is crucial when working through addiction recovery.

For example, not all patients feel comfortable sharing their past trauma with a large group. However, a history of trauma might be a key piece of information to help individuals recover from addiction. Similarly, patients might not want to share that they are having suicidal thoughts with their peers. Revealing this to a therapist is much easier. In individual therapy, there is a safe space and understanding of privacy.

In a one-on-one setting, patients can bring up specific issues that might only apply to them. Parenting, relapse prevention techniques, or mental health can all be the focus of therapy in this more private setting. Between a therapist and just one person, it’s possible to reach deep and make contact with deeper reasons behind substance abuse (or deeper life reasons that a person may not be fully aware of).

Group therapy is a wonderful way to feel connected to peers and to discuss general topics. For more in-depth conversations and exploration into life history, individual therapy is ideal.

In an individual therapy setting, patients can bring up specific issues to their therapist that might only apply to them. Parenting, relapse prevention techniques, life events, or mental health can all be the focus of therapy sessions in this more private therapy setting.

Group therapy is a wonderful way to feel connected to peers and to discuss general topics. For more in-depth conversations and exploration, individual therapy is ideal. The therapist is only charged with providing therapy to one person, and so the topics of the therapy session (or the therapy modality itself) can’t be as easily derailed.

As many benefits as group therapy and activities can provide in the course of treatment, individual sessions of therapy allow for a therapist to delve deep and provide support for solely the person seeking help. The therapist only has to support one person at a time, and so it is more possible for hours spent in therapy to be positive ones that lead the person further down a road of recovery.

Co-occurring disorders, also mental illnesses that coincide with substance abuse as a dual diagnosis, can easily be addressed in individual counseling. Often related to the root causes of addiction, co-occurring disorders can include depression, anxiety, ADHD, and more. In individual sessions, a therapist can provide targeted support to help in recovery that takes the condition into account.

Privacy is one of the key benefits of individual therapy, and many individuals find it easier to discuss the root causes of substance abuse in an individual therapy session where they know they won’t be judged. For example, while group therapy can be helpful for alcohol addiction, someone may not be comfortable talking about why they’re in alcohol abuse treatment in front of strangers in a group setting. Individual therapy allows for people to practice this in front of a counselor who may have heard many stories about how alcohol has affected people.