Washington, D.C. thrives at the intersection of cultural, social, political, and economic centers, and the people who live there can feel the effects (for better or worse). Professionals who provide individual therapy in D.C. can attest that while some people thrive on the high-octane D.C. lifestyle, others may find it overwhelming or stressful. Perhaps your current mental health roadblocks stem from your environment, or maybe you are struggling through a specific event, such as a loss. No matter the reason, counseling can be a significant source of support.
In the D.C. area, one-on-one counseling is becoming increasingly popular. People enjoy the personalized attention and the variety of options for attending their appointments. Whether you are considering therapy or have already committed to it and are deciding between individual, group, and other varieties, it’s helpful to explore some of the benefits of one-on-one counseling in Washington, D.C.
Key Takeaways
- One-on-one counseling remains one of the most favored ways to seek mental health treatment.
- Individual therapy is now commonly available via telehealth, with utilization growing exponentially since 2020.
- One-on-one counseling offers benefits such as personalized treatment, anonymity, and flexibility, making it a good fit for your schedule.
- Choosing your therapist comes down to your focus areas, geographical location, and intended goals.
- If you are not sure whether therapy is right for you, consider the dynamics of your symptoms: their duration, their intensity, and whether they are changing.
What Is One-on-One Counseling?
One-on-one counseling, also called individual counseling, is a type of therapy session held privately between an individual and their therapist. It is one of many options, including group therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and more.
The therapist will get to know you as a patient, and your treatment strategy will be developed based on your personal goals, needs, and preferences. This approach allows for greater flexibility when necessary.
The Benefits of 1:1 Counseling
Because individual therapy is just one of many potential strategies, it is normal to wonder whether it is the right path for you. People often choose one-on-one treatment because it offers benefits that other styles, such as group therapy, may lack.
Personalized attention and treatment
One of the most notable benefits of one-on-one counseling is the individualized attention it provides. Unlike in therapy with other people, you become the sole focus. The therapist can address your distinct challenges, provide solutions that fit your specific framework, and adjust to fit your preferences.
As a result, individual therapy can become a routine part of a person’s life. Because they have access to personalized care that resonates with their own habits and ideas, they are more likely to continue participating than they would with cookie-cutter programming that feels irrelevant or minimally successful.
Confidentiality
Another significant advantage of individual therapy is its discretion. If you attend therapy with other people, those people will, by nature, know of your participation. For those seeking anonymity or who believe there is stigma associated with their attendance, one-on-one counseling provides an option that does not require announcing your appointments and goals. You and the therapist are the only people involved.
Flexibility
Because individual therapy works on a personal level, it tends to be more flexible than alternatives. Group therapy sessions must meet at a time when everyone is available. Family therapy might need to temporarily pivot to address one person’s pressing concerns over another. Individual therapy is not bound by these restrictions, offering freedom and flexibility to shape the experience for the participant’s situation.
Common Counseling Strategies for One-on-One Sessions
Just because you attend an individual therapy session does not mean you will use the same strategies and techniques as other patients. As mentioned previously, a professional’s approach will be customized to each person’s situation, goals, and needs. This means that numerous options are available, and one or more may be suited for your use case depending on the details.
Some of the most common avenues for mental healthcare in one-on-one therapy include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A type of therapy focusing on changing thought patterns and inhibiting negative behaviors by interrupting them as habits or defaults.
- Psychodynamic therapy: Therapy that considers how past experiences, unconscious ideas, and other facets of life inform a person’s decisions, thoughts, and emotions.
- Humanistic/person-centered therapy: Mental healthcare focusing on the present, including a person’s free will, goals, strengths, and unique potential.
- Trauma-informed approaches: Therapy that shifts toward the question of what happened to a person and how that event has created lingering effects that impact an individual’s life and wellness.
A therapist may use some, all, or none of these approaches (instead choosing something else) depending on what the patient would benefit from.
How to Access One-on-One Therapy in Washington, D.C.
Therapists strive to make their services as accessible as possible, and Washington, D.C. is no exception. Patients flourish when more options are available, and greater flexibility has emerged in recent years. Studies indicate that prior to 2020, less than 1% of D.C.-area patients sought mental healthcare from online or phone visits. Following the demand for remote options during COVID and beyond, attendance is split nearly 50/50 between in-person and telehealth visits, with online treatment occurring more often than phone-based meetings within the telehealth sphere.
In person
In-person treatment remains the most common option, but only by a slight margin. Many people prefer face-to-face meetings, because the presence of a therapist can have its own beneficial effects. Patients can enjoy richer non-verbal cues, such as the therapist’s posture, which may make them feel more supported or seen. With fewer technology barriers in the way, appointments can proceed without glitches or dropped signals.
Additionally, attending in person can help your therapist, too. If they can see your body language, professionals can use it to better understand you and how you explain things. This may help overcome miscommunication or provide your therapist with insight to inform their strategies.
Online
Online therapy has risen significantly in popularity since 2020. This category encompasses video calls, which preserve many of the benefits of in-person treatment, such as eye contact and body language. However, patients may prefer online therapy if they struggle to meet the logistical demands of in-person appointments. When accessibility is a challenge, online therapy brings professional care to more people.
Over the phone
In some instances, therapists may do appointments solely over the phone. This is less preferred because it strips away valuable body language components of therapy, but those options are not necessarily right for everyone. Phone therapy is widely accessible from almost anywhere, so you do not miss appointments, even when traveling in an area without reliable internet.
How to Identify the Right Therapy Provider
So, where do you start if you would like to try one-on-one? The best partnerships with therapists begin with careful selection.
You could try to visit the first therapist whose name you find, and for some people, that works. But more commonly, great therapists are found by identifying what you want and what they offer. Look for:
- Focus area: Does the therapist address challenges you are encountering? You may not find it very helpful to work with a therapist focused on family challenges if you are experiencing post-traumatic stress.
- Temperament: Therapists are still people, and they have personalities. Consider therapists whose interests or manner of being align with your own. Clashes can often be seen, for instance, in a patient who wants actionable advice and a therapist with a relational tendency.
- Availability: Therapy works best if you attend regularly. You are more likely to succeed if you choose a therapist you can access easily. This might mean choosing someone in your neighborhood or being intentional with the practice you choose for telehealth appointments.
- Testing: You can only learn so much about a therapist from their website and reviews. Sometimes, scheduling that first appointment is the best way to see if you work well together.
Do not feel like you need to make a permanent, final choice. Identifying the right therapist for your needs may take a few tries.
When Should You Seek Therapy?
Are you still unsure whether therapy is right for you? Rest assured that one-on-one counseling can be helpful for just about everyone. Nothing needs to be “wrong” for you to benefit. Similarly, you are not “broken” if you are having struggles.
That being said, some signs point to the benefit of therapy if your life is beginning to shift. Consider seeking therapy if:
- Your quality of life is decreasing steadily
- You experience symptoms more often than not, often for the majority of the day
- Your symptoms are worsening
- You feel lost or overwhelmed
- You have thoughts of self-harm
- You cannot maintain social or emotional connections like you used to
- You no longer find joy in things that previously brought you happiness
- Your eating, sleeping, or living habits are becoming unusual (for you)
Any of these signs can indicate a need for mental health care. Therapy can help to stabilize you into a more supported, engaged person ready to tackle your challenges.
Get the Personalized Help You Need from One-on-One Counseling
If you would like to try individual therapy to boost your mental health, the team you trust matters. Contact Aquila Recovery Clinic to sign up for a one-on-one counseling session with a professional invested in your success. We can help, whether you are experiencing severe symptoms or want to learn coping skills before problems arise.