What is Individual Therapy for Adults?

Adult individual therapy is a confidential, one-on-one process where you meet with a trained mental health professional to explore thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and life experiences. Think of it as a supportive space designed to help you better understand yourself, work through challenges, build healthier coping strategies, and improve overall well-being. Sessions typically last 45–60 minutes and are tailored to your unique needs and goals.

Therapy isn’t just for crises—it’s also a proactive, growth-oriented tool for anyone looking to understand themselves better or make meaningful life changes.

Signs Someone Might Benefit From Therapy

People seek therapy for many different reasons, but common signs include:

Emotional and Psychological Signs

  • Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or persistently sad

  • Irritability, emotional numbness, or sudden mood changes

  • Difficulty coping with stress

Behavioral or Physical Signs

  • Sleep problems (insomnia, oversleeping)

  • Changes in appetite or energy

  • Trouble concentrating or making decisions

Life or Relationship Indicators

  • Going through major changes (loss, breakup, job transition)

  • Relationship conflicts or communication problems

  • Feeling “stuck” or dissatisfied with life

Internal Experiences

  • Low self-esteem or self-worth

  • A sense of emptiness, burnout, or lack of purpose

  • Feeling unlike yourself

If someone is wondering whether therapy might help—they’re already giving themselves a meaningful signal that it could.

Common Therapeutic Modalities Used

Therapists draw from different evidence-based approaches depending on the person’s needs. Some widely used modalities include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Focuses on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to create healthier patterns.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Helps build emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Explores how past experiences, unconscious patterns, and relationships shape current behavior.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Encourages accepting difficult feelings while taking actions aligned with one’s values.

Person-Centered Therapy

Provides a non-judgmental, empathetic environment where self-understanding can deepen organically.

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

Often used for trauma; helps the brain reprocess distressing memories.

Somatic or Mind-Body Therapies

Focuses on how emotions and trauma are stored and experienced in the body.

Common Areas of Concern Therapy Can Address

Emotional and Mental Health

  • Anxiety, depression, panic, OCD

  • Trauma or PTSD

  • Low self-esteem or self-criticism

Life Transitions & Stress

  • Career changes, burnout

  • Divorce, breakups, grief, or loss

  • Adjusting to new roles (parenthood, caregiving, relocation)

Relationships & Social Issues

  • Communication difficulties

  • Boundary-setting

  • Family or friendship conflicts

Identity & Self-Understanding

  • Personal values and purpose

  • Cultural or identity-related stress

  • Navigating major life choices

Behavioral or Habit-Related Concerns

  • Sleep issues

  • Procrastination or motivation challenges

  • Unhelpful coping habits

Therapy is adaptable—it supports healing, growth, and clarity across a wide range of human experiences.