Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy involves regular meetings between the therapist and one client. It can be for a limited number of sessions, or  longer, depending on the client's needs. The frequency can vary as well. The most common frequency is once weekly, but it can be done more or less frequently. Individual therapy can be tailored and adjusted most flexibly to the individual client's needs, strengths, and weaknesses.

For young children individual therapy usually involves play therapy. For older children pretend play with toys becomes less important as a means of communication. They play more with words, and become comfortable with the routine of sitting together and talking for an entire session. The possibility of going back and forth between a playroom and a more adult-like office often appeals to older children. During the transition between childhood and adolescence, some children need flexibility in this regard.

Adolescents

During this special time of life, major changes can happen in behavior and personality development. There is rapid intellectual as well as physical growth. While there can be great stress and conflict, there can also be tremendous positive change. Adolescents are often ready to see things differently, and to establish a useful helping relationship in more independent ways than they were as children. Adolescents who choose to come to therapy do so in essentially the same way as adults. Issues such as parent involvement must be handled sensitively since different people have different degrees of independence from parents. Adolescents in therapy do not generally use play with toys as a means of expression. However, shooting baskets, throwing a ball or darts, art, or going for a walk can at times help them be more at ease for talking. Other forms of play (athletics, drama, art, music, etc.) can be wonderful therapeutic tools, but these are not usually available in office therapy settings. Parents also need to be involved when their adolescent is in therapy. However, because of the adolescents greater independence, the form and frequency of parent involvement is best worked out on an individual basis. Some adolescent problems are best handled via family meetings rather than individual therapy, particularly if behavior management or authority conflict issues are the most crucial. 

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