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857,310 people sought individual therapy help in Virginia in the last year

Discover how starting therapy with a individual can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.

Meet with a provider as soon as this week

Good news! We have 65 therapists in Virginia available for an online or in-person session.
Letizia Fariss

Hear from Letizia Fariss, Counselor (Resident In Counseling)

View Letizia Fariss's profile

What is your go-to approach for individual therapy?

My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is an integrated approach of CBT, person-centered therapy, ACT, DBT, and spirituality.

What tools do you teach in individual therapy?

I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

  • Deep breathing: This is a calming technique that teaches the client to slow their breathing. The client sits up (to expand their lungs to maximum capacity), breathing in through the mouth for 5 seconds, holding their breath for 5 seconds, and breathing out through their mouth for 5 seconds. When their mind wanders, the clients are instructed to focus on their breathing. In order to experience better relaxation, the clients are instructed to observe their chest rising and focus on their breathing, and may also relax their lower back muscles during their exhale. The clients are instructed to use this technique in the morning until their distress level gets to a 0-1 on a scale of 0 to 10 and during the day, in the moment, when their distress level is going up.
  • Grounding: Clients will learn 2 main grounding techniques. The 5-4-3-2-1 technique involves purposefully taking in the details of their surroundings using each of their senses. They will strive to notice small details that their mind would usually tune out, such as distant sounds or the texture of an ordinary object. They will state 5 things they can see, 4 things they can feel, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste (or state 1 good thing about themself if there is nothing else to taste). The second grounding technique is more involved and requires a piece of paper and a pen or a pencil. It involves also guided imagery. The client will draw around their hand with their fingers spread out. Each finger will represent one of the senses. The client will think of a place they like to see, a thing they like to feel, a thing they like to hear, a thing they like to smell, and a thing they like to taste and imagine being in that place, feeling that sensation, hearing that sound, smelling that perfume, or tasting that thing that is special for them.
  • Progressive muscle relaxation: This is an exercise that reduces stress and anxiety in the body by having the client use deep breathing while slowly tensing and relaxing different groups of muscles in the body. When they breathe in, they start stretching the group of muscles. When they hold their breath, they hold the tense, and when they breathe out, they relax the muscles.
  • Guided imagery: The client imagines themselves in a place they have been in the past or created in their imagination. It might be a quiet beach; a cool, shady place in the woods; snuggled in a blanket in front of the fireplace; fishing; or any other place that is peaceful and soothing to the client. The client will use all 5 of their senses and their imagination to let their body relax during times of anxiety and stress.
  • Challenging automatic negative thoughts: This can be done using Socratic methods (long and short versions), Dr. Amen's method, and/or biblical principles with the clients who want to integrate their Christian beliefs. The clients are introduced to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). They will learn how thoughts influence emotions and behaviors. They will learn about triggers and what triggers their automatic negative thoughts (ANTs). They will observe their negative thoughts and triggers, write down their ANTs, and challenge their thoughts using different methods, such as the Socratic method long version, the Socratic method short version, the Biblical version (only with clients that want to integrate Biblical principles with psychological principles), or the Dr. Amen method. Then the client will make counter statements that are more realistic and replace the ANTs with the new statements.
  • Becoming psychologically flexible: Clients will explore their values and determine their priorities. They learn to balance their values with their boundaries by enacting them or adjusting them to their values. Using ACT, the clients learn to accept the things they can't change. The clients will learn to detach from their thoughts using cognitive restructuring, deep breathing, journaling, and mindfulness. They will use a present-focus perspective, which means living in the now and not in the past or the future. Finally, the clients will observe their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without being caught up in them. This will give the clients the ability to adapt to life difficulties while remaining true to their own values, leading to greater resilience, emotional tolerance, and overall well-being.
  • Diafragmatic breathing: To practice breathing from your diaphragm, try lying on your back and placing a small book on your belly. As you slowly inhale through your nose, make the book go up. Hold your breath at the top of your inhalation for 2 seconds. When you exhale, make the book go down and then hold your breath for 2 seconds before inhaling again. Repeat 10 times and notice how relaxed you feel.

How do you know when a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy?

I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when the client's symptoms are alleviated and they return to previous levels of effective functioning.

What can clients do in their personal time to supplement individual therapy?

Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by reading the bibliotherapy recommended to them, such as books or articles, and applying the skills learned during therapy sessions during the week.

What should someone do to prepare for starting individual therapy?

To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can:

  • Learn about the type of therapy you will be receiving
  • Prepare questions to ask your therapist
  • Be honest during your first therapy session
  • Set realistic goals for therapy
  • Come to your first therapy session with an open mind

Starting Individual therapy

What is individual therapy?

Individual therapy, also known as individual-counseling, allows people to engage in private sessions with a skilled therapist, counselor, or psychologist. The core objective of individual therapy is to establish a secure and confidential setting where you can openly discuss whatever emotional, psychological, or behavioral challenges you face. Through these one-on-one sessions, the client and therapist work together to delve into, comprehend, and ultimately find solutions for the issues at hand in their life.

How does individual therapy work?

Individual therapy unfolds in a structured process, commencing with an initial assessment in which the therapist gathers essential information about your history, concerns, and objectives. Together, you and your therapist collaboratively establish specific, attainable goals for your sessions, which can encompass symptom alleviation, personal development, or finding solutions to particular challenges.

Can individual therapy help me?

Yes, individual therapy, also known as individual-counseling, at Thriveworks can help you to improve your mental health and overall quality of life.

Is individual therapy conducted in person or online?

Individual therapy at Thriveworks is conducted both in person and via Online therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.

How long does individual therapy last?

The duration of your individual therapy sessions will vary. The decision on the number and frequency of sessions is typically collaboratively determined by the client and therapist.

How much does individual therapy cost?

At Thriveworks, we take most major forms of insurance, which means that many of our clients only pay $0-$50 co-pay per session. However, there are also self-pay options that sit around $200 per session, depending on the service and location, for those who are out-of-network.

Pricing & insurance

Our therapists accept most major insurances. We accept 585+ insurance plans, and offer self-pay options, too.
Learn more about pricing for therapy and counseling services at Thriveworks.

Our Alexandria therapists and counselors accept 27 insurance plans

  • Aetna

  • Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Blue Cross Blue Shield | Anthem (Blue Card)

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS HMO

  • CareFirst Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Virginia | BCBS PPO

  • Carelon

  • Cigna | Evernorth

  • Cigna | Evernorth EAP

  • Cigna | Evernorth Medicare Advantage

  • Compsych

  • First Health Network

  • Humana Exchange

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Self-pay costs at Alexandria
Talk therapy

Talk therapy

Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Talk therapy

Psychiatry

Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management

First session

$1

Ongoing sessions

$1

Hear from our clients

4.9 Learn about verified reviews
★★★★★
I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Read more I was very satisfied with first session/consultation with my therapist. I feel confident she will address my needs and look forward to working with her.
Marjorie Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Read more At 75 years old and still learning is wonderful. My counselor is simply an outstanding individual and human being. The "bank is closed", I understand more clearly by my counselor who, have been instrumental in " breaking down some walls" in my forward motion and healing from the pain
Horace Feb 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Read more Bank closure is fundamentally when a financial institution goes bankrupt; however, parents can't go into bank closure for their children, family, and friends. Nevertheless, parents do close their bank (hearth) to minimize disrespect, abuse, and abundant misuse of LOVE. So I closed my life to abuse, disrespect, and misuse of ❤️
Horace Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Read more I am very happy with my therapist, I would give him 5 Stars but I am handicapped and the facility I go to has No Handicap access, No ramp or elevator and is on the third floor of a three story building.
Ed Jan 2024
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Read more My therapist, Dee Jacobi Edwards, continues to help me deal with my individual struggles in life so that I can achieve peace in dealing with life situations. She is a wonderful therapist.
Louisa Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★
Love our therapist.
Heidi Dec 2023
Thriveworks.com verified review
★★★★★
My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Read more My daughter's dad and I had a few sessions with Dee Jacobi-Edwards and she was great. She was very neutral and honest with both of us when it came to our disagreements and downfalls. She was also extremely patient with us throughout our sessions. I would absolutely recommend Dee.
Alexandria Mar 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com
★★★★★
I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Read more I have been battling anxiety and depression for years, and Mary Alice Fields has helped me finally find some relief. She is dedicated to helping her clients live their best possible life, and she has helped me gain some peace in my life. I know she has help countless others, and I would highly recommend her to anyone who suffers from depression or anxiety issues.
Alexandria Jan 2021
Review left on Thriveworks.com

Where to find us

Getting here

Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Alexandria is located off Colvin St between Sweeley St and Roth St. We are located next door to the Alexandria Police Association and across the street from NACCAS (National Accrediting Commision of Career Arts and Sciences).

Phone number

(703) 936-6214

Languages spoken by VA providers

  • English
  • Spanish
  • Korean
Thursday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Friday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Monday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am - 9:00pm

Shown in ET

Thursday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Friday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday 7:00am - 6:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 5:00pm
Monday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Tuesday 7:00am - 9:30pm
Wednesday 7:00am - 9:30pm

Shown in ET

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