Our counselors provide therapy in Columbia, SC

Cierra: My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is to focus on building rapport with the client. It is important that the client feel comfortable when sharing sensitive information. The focus is on the client's main concerns, and they are supported. Based on each client's needs, I will choose which treatment is appropriate. I use evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy to form a treatment plan that is appropriate for the client.

Kathryn: My go-to approaches for helping people in individual therapy are CBT, talk therapy, solution-focused therapy (SFT), and DBT. I find the best benefit in SFT because it keeps the clients focused on change and a task that encourages feeling different at the end of therapy than they did at the start of therapy.

Cierra: I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

• Five stages of grief: Discussion of the emotional process related to grief.
• Distress tolerance skills: The client learns to manage distress/stressors in a healthy way.
• Stress management skills: Learn strategies to manage life challenges and everyday stress.
• Mindfulness: Learn to stay in the present moment without judgment when situations seem difficult or out of an individual's control.
• Emotion regulation skills: Learn to process and express emotions in a healthy way.
• Behavioral activation: Treatment for depression to address lack of motivation and feelings of hopelessness, which are common symptoms of depression.
• Relaxation techniques: Address anxiety by learning breathing techniques and other mindfulness skills.

Kathryn: I teach the following tools in individual therapy: coping skills for anxiety and depression, self-esteem skills, communication skills, and confidence-building skills.

Cierra: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they are able to successfully navigate challenges on their own with the tools provided in individual therapy. The client starts to recognize and address barriers that keep them in the cycle of their overwhelming symptoms.

Kathryn: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when their mood is reported as stable week by week. I also assess the skills the clients use during the previous week, and they let me know how that has impacted their lives.

Cierra: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by building a routine of activities learned in individual therapy. I encourage clients to build a healthy support system for accountability in mental health maintenance.

Kathryn: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy with meditation, self-care skills, and breathing exercises.

Cierra: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, I encourage writing down your thoughts and concerns before your session so that all concerns can be discussed in the intake session. Do not be nervous; clinicians are here to listen and help.

Kathryn: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, you can decide your level of commitment. Prepare to process the difficult thoughts and feelings. Prepare to be uncomfortable with things that may not seem normal.