When you think of counseling, what comes to mind? Do you picture a client on a couch while a counselor takes notes? Crying sessions and deep introspection? While these are common depictions of counseling, they only scratch the surface of what individual counseling can offer.
Individual counseling involves one-on-one sessions between a counselor and a client. They’re confidential, safe spaces to explore challenging emotions, tough situations, and personal growth. In addiction treatment, individual counseling plays an important role. It’s a place to process past trauma, cement goals for recovery, and develop coping skills to handle triggers and cravings.
At New Bridge Foundation®, we offer individual counseling at our Berkeley center to support clients as they work toward lasting recovery. Call 866.772.8491 today if you’re ready to discover the benefits of individual counseling for yourself.
Individual Counseling vs. Group Counseling: Which Is Better?
The short answer is that neither is inherently better than the other but that both offer unique benefits.
Group counseling allows clients to connect with others who are on a similar path, share their struggles and triumphs, and learn from each other’s experiences. It can also help build a sense of community and support that is invaluable in recovery. In group counseling, clients can also practice social skills and receive feedback from others in a safe environment.
Individual counseling, on the other hand, offers a more personalized approach. It allows for deeper exploration of individual issues and challenges. It can be difficult to open up in group settings about challenging experiences or deeply personal issues. Sexual assault, abuse, or other traumas may be difficult to share in a group setting. By meeting one-on-one with a trained counselor, clients can feel more comfortable discussing these issues and receive individualized support.
What Happens in Individual Counseling Sessions?
Even if you’ve never been to individual counseling, it’s likely that you have some idea of what happens in sessions. Typically, the client and counselor sit across from each other and engage in a conversation. The counselor may ask questions about current events or feelings, past experiences, or future goals.
A sample session might follow this structure:
- Check-in – How are you feeling today?
- Review of goals from previous session – Did you complete any tasks or assignments? What progress have you made since last week?
- Discussion of current issues or challenges – Are there any specific triggers, cravings, or difficult emotions you’re dealing with right now?
- Exploration of past experiences and patterns – How have past experiences and traumas impacted your current situation?
- Development of coping skills – What techniques can you use to handle triggers or cravings in the future?
- Goal setting for the next session – What do you want to focus on or work towards before our next session?
Note that this is a general framework, and each individual counseling session will look different. You might come in with a specific topic you want to discuss, or your counselor may have a particular exercise they want to try. The goal is always to support your journey towards recovery and overall well-being.
Reach Out to New Bridge Foundation® for Individual Counseling and More
Individual counseling is just one aspect of our addiction treatment services at New Bridge Foundation®. Voted one of the “Best Addiction Treatment Centers” in America four years in a row by Newsweek magazine, New Bridge Foundation® offers unparalleled and affordable professional addiction and co-occurring mental health treatment services. If you’re ready to take the first step towards a healthier, happier life, call 866.772.8491 today or contact us online.
