Individual therapy involves face-to-face sessions between a therapist and one person who is seeking help for an interpersonal or behavioral problem. The techniques and theoretical framework for any given therapy may vary considerably based on the therapist’s orientation, the nature of the problem and the client’s goals. While it may occasionally include other family members or be combined with other types of treatment (medication or group therapy, for example), the focus is primarily on the individual’s experience and perception of the problem to be addressed.
Individual therapy is useful when a person experiences emotional stress, difficult situations or transitions that are painful or confusing. While one may often turn to family or friends for support, there are times when the assistance of an objective professional will help resolve the problem.