Our counselors provide therapy in Nottingham, MD

My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is very client-centered. I believe that each client has the ability to live a healthy and happy life and is in control of the treatment process. I find that being able to encourage the clients to recognize the power they have in their healing process is empowering to them, as they are on their own individual journey.

I believe that each client has the tools and ability to help themselves through the healing process to live a healthier happier life. In therapy sessions, I will often utilize cognitive restructuring tools, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques as well as help the client to be able to recognize skills and strengths they already have and use those specific parts of them in the healing process.

I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when I begin to observe them being able to share situations where they recognized old patterns of behaviors or negative thinking and controlled them. The revelation for some of the clients being able to recognize that they can make intentional decisions and a conscious effort to improve their emotional health is how I can tell that progress is being made.

Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by engaging in activities they enjoy or that bring them a sense of calm or joy. Being able to take time during their busy schedules to find moments of peace and calm or to engage in activities with others that bring them happiness is all part of the healing as well. Some clients also enjoy scheduling time to reflect on their week through journaling or even engaging in mindfulness such as meditation to help manage mental health symptoms in between sessions.

To prepare for their first individual therapy session, I suggest that individuals prepare a few goals they want to possibly work on as well as note what they would want to accomplish from engaging in therapy. Each individual comes to therapy for different reasons and remembering that you, as the client, are in control over the process is most important.