Counseling is a very dynamic type of therapy offered to groups and individuals. The reason it is dynamic is that it is always changing. It has to in order to be successful. Just as there is no true “one size fits all” approach in clothing, there is not a “one way fits all” approach in counseling. While many people do benefit from group therapy and counseling sessions…some individuals react and perform better in individual counseling. This can be especially true with individual counseling for adolescents and young adults.
What does it offer?
Individual counseling for the adolescents or young adult is a way to develop a treatment plan that is highly personalized. As you may already know…the adolescent phase is a special time in life. There are many changes happening physically, emotionally, mentally and socially. Group sessions are great in some applications but they often use a blanket approach that may not work for one particular adolescent.
What does individual counseling treat and cover?
Whether using individual counseling alone or in conjunction with group therapy, there are many issues that adolescents face that can be treated through a counseling plan designed specifically for that one person. Some of the issues that can be more thoroughly addressed are:
- Depression/Social Anxiety
- Problems at home or at school
- Eating disorders
- Chemical dependency/Substance abuse
- Relationship issues
- Learning to respect themselves and others
- Establishing short and long term goals for their future
Those are just a few of the issues that counseling an adolescent or young adult one on one can address.
What is the benefit?
Many times counseling must be addressed as soon as possible and by circumventing the group setting, it is often easier and more time effective to start an individual treatment plan for counseling. It also allows the therapist to interact more personally with the teen and often requires that the teen be more accountable for his or her actions. There is a “face” that they speak with directly. It also leads to a greater bonding experience where deeper levels of therapy can be achieved. It also gives more direct feedback between the therapist and the parents or guardians. When there is an open door policy where feedback is given and taken, there are greater results.
Individual counseling can be a tremendous benefit for adolescents/young adult. It is an approach where the treatment plan is personalized. In individual therapy they can get some quality time with the therapist to self reflect, re-evaluate their unwanted behaviors, and establish new behaviors that will lead them toward the success they ultimately seek.
*The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. Never substitute, disregard, or delay seeking professional medical advice and assistance for any health or mental issue(s) you have or are concerned about because of something you have read.