People with mental health disorders or addiction need a range of therapies to help them find stability. One of the most commonly used types of treatment is individual counseling, where someone works one-on-one with a therapist. Talk therapy in an individual setting can be one of the most rewarding parts of treatment, especially when complemented with group therapy, family counseling, and sometimes medication-assisted treatment.
Men in North Carolina need help
Among North Carolina residents, men are more likely to die from excessive alcohol use. Nationally, they’re more likely to use illicit drugs and misuse prescription ones. Why? There is no single reason why men turn to substance use, but one thing is clear: it’s hard for men to reach out and get help. Men face a significant amount of stigma around mental health and getting help. But reaching out for support can be the first step toward recovery that supports men, their children, families, and communities.
Why individual counseling supports addiction recovery
Individual counseling provides space where people can be vulnerable and truly explore their mental health. Addiction comes with a lot of shame, isolation, and guilt, which can make it difficult to open up around others, even close loved ones.
A range of benefits come from individual counseling, including the ability to open up with a person someone can trust. For those with addiction, individual counseling allows for exploring causes, use patterns, and reckless behavior without judgment. It can also help to explore previous trauma, stress factors, and co-occurring mental health challenges that lead to addiction.
A first big step
One-on-one therapy might be the first place someone feels safe enough to discuss why they started drinking or using drugs in the first place—it might even be where they discover it for themselves. Once they’re able to make these healing connections, they can learn how to talk about their experiences in ways that they’re able to cope with and handle. Conversations that might have once triggered them to drink or use can turn into healthy ones that reconnect them with loved ones.
Key benefits of individual sessions in early recovery
Anything that helps break the addiction cycle is worth trying, but not everything will have the same benefits. When it comes to individual counseling, a few benefits stand out:
1. Privacy
As mentioned earlier, addiction creates plenty of feelings of shame and guilt. The disease of addiction causes people to turn to drugs or alcohol even when using them causes negative things to happen in their lives. They might be experiencing financial hardship, difficulties in their relationships, even legal challenges. The privacy of a one-on-one session can make the barrier to treatment much lower.
Instead of dreading talking in front of a group or trying to figure out how you’re going to talk to your family about what you’ve been going through, all you have to do is talk to your individual therapist. They’ll use different methods that work for your unique situations and goals so you can make the progress you want.
2. Trauma work
Many people with addiction have experienced some form of trauma. Just like substance abuse, trauma is a deeply personal experience that also creates feelings of shame and guilt. Trying to process trauma, stop using substances, and engage in group therapy can be daunting.
Individual sessions can allow you to work with your therapist through trauma-informed therapy practices. While you’ll still have the opportunity to engage in trauma-informed groups, one-on-one sessions can give you more space to process your personal experiences rather than figuring out how to cope around others. Processing trauma can give you the tools you need to make meaningful steps forward.
3. Trust-building
If you’ve never gone through rehab before—or if you have and relapsed—it can be hard to trust the process. You’ll be making major changes in your life that will leave you extremely vulnerable and, sometimes, unsure of what your next move should be. An individual therapist can help calm your fears and talk to you about what to expect out of your treatment experience.
They’ll also be able to help you navigate group and family sessions. If you’re worried about being too anxious to speak up in group, they can help you plan for that. If you’re sad about what you’ve gone through with your loved ones, they can work with you to process those feelings so you know how you can show up for them in the future.
Common substance use and mental health issues addressed in private counseling
During sessions, you’ll sit down with a therapist who fully understands the nature of your addiction and how it can impact your health. Then, they will help you learn how to walk away from addiction for good by providing you with ways to cope with life, stress, and your mental health. You’ll develop a rapport with them and, through it, be able to comfortably confront your issues. Together, the two of you will design a course of action to address each issue, including:
- What triggers you to use drugs or alcohol
- The shame or guilt you feel
- The risk of relapse and how to prevent it
- Any co-occurring mental health issues
- Family relationships affected by addiction
- Toxic relationships
Where group therapy is an excellent place to relate with others who have experienced addiction, individual counseling is a great place for you to process and accept some of your more personal experiences.
How individual therapy fits into treatment
You can think of one-on-one therapy as the foundation for the entire addiction treatment process. It will help you get used to rehab and find the right mindset for other parts of treatment, like:
Group therapy
During individual therapy, you can prepare for group therapy. You’ll get more comfortable in treatment and build confidence in your progress so far. You’ll also address your personal triggers, making it easier for you to talk about them with others without feeling like you need drugs or alcohol to calm down. You can also work on your communication skills, which is a big help if you’re shy or anxious around other people.
Family counseling
During active use, there were a lot of relationships that were affected. Even if you didn’t harm them outwardly, you probably have a lot of complicated feelings toward your loved ones. Individual sessions can help you prepare for family counseling by helping you understand family dynamics better, including those that may have been co-dependent during active use. You’ll learn how to approach your relationships with more openness and confidence so everyone involved can heal.
Experiential therapy
Comprehensive addiction treatment often involves experiential therapies, like yoga, art, adventure, and equine methods. These are designed to challenge you physically, emotionally, and spiritually. When you meet with your individual therapist, they can help you understand better ways to push your boundaries without overstepping them so you can get more out of your treatment experience. They’ll also be able to teach you about working with others and how to handle stress that can arise in groups that are problem-solving together.
How Red Oak counselors approach addiction therapy
The entire Red Oak team is made up of clinicians, so everyone is well-versed in addiction, mental health, and the effort it takes to enter recovery. Every one of our clients receives two to three individual therapy sessions a week during treatment, giving them plenty of time to build trust with their therapists. We’ll create a personalized therapy plan using methods proven effective at treating what our clients experience.
Red Oak is a gender-specific treatment center exclusively for men. As such, our counselors and therapists are knowledgeable about the issues men experience that cause them to turn to drugs and alcohol instead of asking for help. From social pressures to stigma, we break down why mental health really does matter and why reaching out for support is the best thing to do.
We also take advantage of the natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains that surround our treatment center in Western North Carolina. With hiking trails, horses, and other outdoor activities, every man we help has the opportunity to reconnect with himself in ways outside of traditional talk therapy. Find a better way forward for yourself or a loved one. Call 828.382.9699 or contact us online.
