Whether you are using alcohol, marijuana, or engaging in gambling, shopping, pornography or overeating—you do it for a reason. It does something for you, or, you wouldn’t do it. It’s another behavior, and we will work together to unpack to understand that behavior. e start by gently exploring the underlying emotional drivers and the needs that aren't being met, cultivating understanding instead of self-criticism. We focus on developing robust, practical coping strategies that integrate seamlessly into your daily life. This is not about achieving perfection; we acknowledge that lapses are part of the process. Adopting a harm reduction perspective, the goal is to consistently reduce harm and build a rich life where the impulse to numb or escape is significantly diminished.
Is Individual Counseling Right for Your Recovery?
f you're dealing with a Substance Use Disorder (SUD), you might be looking at outpatient services, which often include group therapy. However, many people find that adding one-on-one individual counseling is the missing piece for effective, lasting recovery.
This confidential time with a dedicated therapist is especially important if your mental health (MH) and substance use are tightly linked, or if group settings haven't worked well for you.
Quick Check: Are You Experiencing SUD Symptoms?
Take a moment to see if you identify with these common signs over the last year:
Loss of Control: Do you use more of the substance than you intended, or have you tried to cut back or stop but couldn't?
Craving: Do you have intense, overwhelming urges to use the substance?
Neglect: Is your substance use causing you to fail at work, school, or home responsibilities, or leading to problems in relationships?
Harm: Do you continue to use even though you know it's causing physical or mental health problems?
Tolerance/Withdrawal: Do you need more of the substance to get the desired effect (tolerance), or do you feel sick or anxious when the effects wear off (withdrawal)?
If you answered yes to two or more of these, individual counseling is a powerful step forward.
Why Add Individual Counseling to Outpatient Services?
Individual therapy provides a personalized and focused space that often complements the structure of outpatient programs.
1. Addressing Co-occurring Disorders (SUD and MH)
It is incredibly common for SUD and mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or trauma (PTSD) to intertwine.
The Vicious Cycle: Perhaps you started using the substance to "self-medicate" feelings of anxiety or depression. Or, maybe your substance use has caused your mental health to worsen. Individual counseling is the place to untangle this knot.
Focused Healing: Your counselor can use specialized techniques (like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or trauma-informed care) to treat the root cause of your distress and the addiction simultaneously, which is critical for long-term sobriety.
2. If Group Work Hasn't Been a Fit
Group therapy is helpful for many, but it's not a fit for everyone, especially at the beginning of recovery. Individual counseling is often necessary if:
You Need Privacy: You have sensitive issues (legal, professional, or trauma) that you are not yet comfortable sharing in a group setting.
You Feel Overwhelmed: You find group discussions overwhelming, or you tend to shut down when faced with multiple people and their stories.
You Need More Focus: Your unique challenges are getting lost in the broader group discussion, and you need dedicated time to work on your specific triggers and personal history.
Your Next Step
Individual counseling is your opportunity to build a customized relapse prevention plan and develop the one-on-one coping skills that will hold up under real-world pressure.
You deserve a treatment plan that addresses all of you.