Individual Counseling

Chicago Individual Counseling and Therapy

Individual counseling provides you with an opportunity to work with a professional therapist who specializes in understanding how people operate in the world, in their families, in relationships, and in their own minds. Counselors use therapeutic techniques to help individuals understand themselves, their problems, their feelings, and their relationships in a way that improves their lives. If change is needed, a therapist will guide you through the process by providing support, motivation, and accountability.

What is Individual Therapy?

Individual therapy, also known as counseling or psychotherapy, is the process of working with a therapist on a one-on-one basis to explore their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors to better understand themselves and to work towards personal growth. This is conducted in a safe, confidential, and nonjudgmental environment where a person can feel comfortable being honest. There are a variety of reasons why people seek therapy. While most associate therapy with mental illness and it is a common treatment for mental health conditions, people also often seek therapy to cope with major life changes, to work through traumatic events, or simply to grow as a person.

Should I Go to Therapy?

If you have an issue that prevents you from reaching your full potential, you may consider seeking therapy. You might be experiencing some troubling symptoms, whether they are distressing negative thoughts or even physical symptoms such as chronic pain. If you feel overwhelmed, unhappy, or hopeless about your life, it’s best to seek out a therapist who can help you determine the root cause of these feelings. Alternatively, if you have a lifestyle change you want to make but are having problems reaching, working with a counselor can help you identify where you need to improve.

Common Obstacles to Therapy

Therapy is a powerful tool for change. That being said, some people may avoid the therapeutic environment even if they believe it might help. Common obstacles to going to therapy include:

• Concern about the stigma of seeking mental health help
• Shame about talking about the past
• Denial that anything is wrong
• Fear of lack of confidentiality
• Financial problems

At Symmetry Counseling, we understand why these issues might make you hesitate to reach out. That being said, if you have a mental health issue, it’s better to seek help sooner rather than later. It’s more common than you might think; in fact, statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health suggest that one in five adults in the U.S. may have a mental illness. You don’t have to suffer alone; we can help. Contact Symmetry for individual counseling in Chicago today.

Issues that individual counseling can address are: