Individual therapy can be a cornerstone in reframing how you understand yourself and your connections with others. While many people believe that there is a stigma attached to therapy or that you should only go when you feel something is “wrong,” the reality is that individual therapy can unlock new strategies for living your life the way you want to.
Every person is different, and each individual will face unique challenges and struggles. Let’s explore some success stories as examples of the many possible benefits you can enjoy from working with a professional therapist.
Success Story 1: Overcoming Anxiety and Building Self-Confidence
In this story, a woman named Ashley has been gradually changing her lifestyle to avoid new scenarios because they make her feel stressed. She may quite often have food delivered because she is nervous about interacting with workers at the grocery store or employees in the drive-thru line.
Ashley likely wonders if they can tell that she doesn’t know what she wants to buy or order. She may find herself thinking at length about things happening in her life that she can’t change and has a hard time making mental space for other thoughts.
Individual therapy can be a life changer for Ashley by helping her to break apart what exactly is making her anxious in these situations. Does she fear judgment from others? Consequences for mistakes? The therapist may guide her to consider whether her perceived outcomes are actually problematic or harmful.
For instance, if Ashley feels nervous about how other people will judge her for picking up an apple and then later deciding she doesn’t want it and putting it back, a therapist can help to reframe her mindset—that she will likely never see that stranger again, and their reaction does not have any impact in her life.
By creating customized strategies and thought processes that Ashley can follow, the therapist equips her with the confidence and courage to try new things. She may pick up new hobbies and friends, or she might engage more at work, earning a new position.
Success Story 2: Healing from Trauma and Finding Inner Peace
Therapists work with many people from different walks of life. Imagine a man named Michael, who finds he is not able to maintain his relationship with his girlfriend, and he is not sure why. In therapy, he discloses that he tries very hard to keep her happy because it stresses him out when she is upset.
Michael finds it hard to understand why his girlfriend gets angry, and he tries to take the blame so she’ll feel better. Isn’t this what a loving partner would do?
A therapist can help Michael discover that his soothing and self-victimizing responses come from past trauma. His parents never spoke kindly to him and used him as an outlet for their anger, often calling him names. As a result, Michael has learned to “fawn” in conflict rather than fight, flee, or freeze.
Michael’s therapist can help him to identify when a person is angry versus when they are simply disagreeing. The therapist can equip him with new coping strategies that help him to more objectively see the situation and place responsibility where it is due.
In doing this, Michael can enjoy more fulfilling relationships in which both parties play an equal role and take responsibility for their own emotions only.
Success Story 3: Managing Depression and Rediscovering Joy
A non-binary person named Sage is finding it difficult to go to work and is spending a lot of time alone, despite offers to participate in group activities. In fact, they feel too tired even to take a shower and spend most of their time sleeping. Their friends are reaching out, but they are avoiding those texts because they take too much energy to respond to.
Individual therapists often encounter people who have seemingly lost the joy in their lives—and many times, this is a result of depression. Reconnecting with their friends through scheduling short windows in which to respond each day could be worth exploring.
Therapists can assist with reframing Sage’s mindset away from “I feel bad because I don’t want to do this; what’s wrong with me?” to “I don’t need to do this right now; can I find something else?”
The therapist can also help Sage to take small steps to begin treating depression, breaking the process down into manageable tasks. By becoming more familiar and connected with their emotions, Sage can engage in different interests and choices without guilt or shame.
Take Control of Your Wellbeing with Individual Therapy
The human mind is complex, and the way people make decisions, interact with others, and find joy in life can be as beautifully varied as humanity itself. Whether you are currently struggling with something, or you want to proactively equip yourself with tools to support your mental health and success, individual therapy is a powerful option.
The experts at Village Counseling can help with a wide range of thought patterns and concerns. Contact Village Counseling to schedule an individual therapy session to find your success story.