Individual Adult Counseling

What is individual counseling?

Individual counseling is a personal opportunity to discuss your concerns and issues with an experienced counselor. Sometimes called psychotherapy, talk therapy is a process that can help you understand yourself better and make changes in your life that will improve the quality of your relationships and overall well-being. Sessions are typically one-on-one and scheduled for weekly or bi-weekly intervals depending on what works best for you. Counseling sessions are confidential and nonjudgmental.

• The goal of counseling is to improve the quality of life by enhancing coping skills, reducing stress, improving interpersonal relationships, and increasing awareness of one's strengths and limitations.
• At the core of counseling is the belief that every person deserves respect, dignity, and access to quality care.

What does a counselor do?

Counselors are professionals trained to guide and help people navigate the challenges and opportunities in life and reach optimum levels of mental health. In addition to assisting people in dealing with life's difficulties, counselors work with clients on strategies for achieving personal growth and happiness. This includes working toward positive change in relationships, self-esteem, spirituality, and career development. The relationship between the therapist and client is a crucial component of counseling. It is essential that both parties feel comfortable enough to share their thoughts and feelings openly.

When is it best to seek individual counseling?

Therapy can be helpful for individuals struggling with depression, anxiety, relationship problems, trauma, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health concerns. However, it is essential to know when to seek therapy rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, stress can come from negative thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and bodily sensations such as pain or fatigue. These types of experiences can interfere with daily life and cause significant distress. People experiencing stress may try to cope alone, avoiding seeking professional care because they don't want to burden others. However, untreated distress can lead to severe consequences, including physical illness, suicide, and violence. If you experience these distressing emotions, thoughts, or behaviors, talk to your doctor about whether counseling might benefit you.

What to expect during individual counseling?

The first individual session usually involves the therapist asking questions about the client's life history, including childhood experiences and medical conditions. The counselor better understands how you, the client, feel about yourself, what problems you are facing now, and why you sought help.

Your therapist might ask open-ended questions like "How do you feel?" or "Why did you come here today?" These questions give the therapist insight into your thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. The therapist will also try to learn about your family background and upbringing.

During the initial session, your counselor generally will focus on getting a sense of your current state of mind, wanting to know whether anything specific is troubling you. For example, if you say you're feeling depressed, your therapist will want to see if it's because of something happening recently, such as a relationship problem, job loss, or death in the family. If the reason seems vague, your therapist will probe further.

The goal is to find out what is causing the distress and what actions you should take to resolve the issue. Once your therapist understands the source of the problem, they can begin working with you toward resolving it.

How effective is individual counseling?

Therapy is often thought of as a one-time event, like a doctor's appointment. But research suggests that therapy can have long-lasting benefits. Studies show that people who receive counseling recover more quickly from stressful events like divorce, unemployment, or bereavement. They also report fewer depressive symptoms and less substance abuse after treatment. The key is to get started early. Research shows that people who start therapy within two weeks of an upsetting event recover faster than those who wait longer. In addition, studies suggest that therapy is most effective when clients work with their counselors to identify and change unhealthy thinking and behavior patterns.

The effectiveness of counseling may look different depending on the type of issues you face. Some people find that counseling works well; others need additional support. Your counselor can help you decide which approach would be best for you. Even if therapy doesn't help immediately, remember that it takes time to make changes. It may take several sessions before you notice improvements.

How to get the most out of your counseling experience?

Counselors know that people often avoid talking about difficult topics, especially those related to emotions. But it helps to understand why you feel the way you do and how your emotional responses affect you and others around you. Your counselor will use empathy and compassion to support you as you explore these issues. The following are suggestions as to how to maximize your counseling experience:

• Be honest. Tell your counselor everything you think is relevant to your situation. Don't hold back. You don't have to explain every detail, but tell your counselor what you've been doing, thinking, and feeling.
• Ask questions. Asking questions gives you control over the direction of the conversation. When you ask questions, you'll gain valuable information that can help you solve problems and improve relationships.
• Have an open mind to new ideas and approaches. Be willing to experiment with new ways of coping. And don't be afraid to talk about uncomfortable things. You'll gain strength by sharing your concerns and fears.
• Take action. If you're having trouble making changes, discuss them with your counselor. Together, you can develop a plan for moving forward.
• Keep a journal. Writing about your experiences can help you process your thoughts and feelings. You might even discover some insights into yourself.
• Get feedback. Discuss your progress with your counselor. They can provide guidance and encouragement.

How long does individual therapy last?

Individual therapy sessions typically last between 30 to 55 minutes long. However, it depends on your specific needs. For example, some people benefit from shorter sessions, while others require additional time. During the initial intake, your counselor will discuss how long each session should last and examine the projected number of sessions needed to address your goals and concerns.

As a new client, we recommend that you attend a few sessions to build rapport with your therapist and establish trust. We also understand that seeking counseling is a personal choice, as is selecting a counselor. If, for whatever reason, the relationship with the counselor isn't working for you, please let us know so we can work together to find another counselor who better meets your needs.

Being patient and sticking to the plan you and your counselor developed is essential for successful therapy. A good counselor will provide feedback and suggestions for how to improve. They will encourage you to explore options for dealing with problems and offer support. As you progress in therapy, you may develop new skills and strategies for coping with life challenges.

How do I find the right counselor for me?

Working with a therapist whom you feel comfortable and with whom you cooperate well with will help you get the most from therapy. And selecting the right counselor requires careful consideration. Here are some tips to help you choose the right counselor for you:

• Ask your friends and family members for recommendations.
• Check out the google review: New Heights Counseling & Consulting, Inc.
• Look at the counselor's credentials.
• Talk to other clients. Clients who have had success and satisfaction with their counselors often are willing to talk about their experiences.

Individual counseling with New Heights counselors can help!

Our counselors believe that healing comes from within. They use various techniques to help you identify and resolve issues affecting your ability to live a happy and productive life. We understand your challenges due to trauma, abuse, neglect, or other difficult circumstances. We aim to help you overcome obstacles and move toward a healthier lifestyle.

It may be difficult to believe initially, but you can change your life by attending individual sessions. Immediately upon entering our office waiting area, your counselor will greet you with a smile and ask if there is anything they can do to make your visit more pleasant. Your counselor will listen carefully to what you say and respond thoughtfully to your questions. You'll receive honest answers to all of your questions.

5 Myths About individual counseling

Myth #1: Counseling is for crazy and weak people.

FACT: This misconception centers around the idea that only those with severe mental health disorders need counseling. In reality, counseling is just as effective for individuals struggling with everyday stressors and challenges as it is for those suffering from severe psychological conditions. Counseling helps people cope with these feelings and thoughts in healthy ways.

Myth #2: Counselors have all the answers and will tell you how to fix your problem.

FACT: Counselors will help you identify ways to improve yourself, but they cannot give you a magic pill to improve everything. They can't tell you what to do or how to feel about something. They can only provide information and guidance on how to solve problems.

Myth #3: You need to be in counseling for a long time before it helps.

FACT: The length of treatment is less important than finding someone you trust and enjoy working with; a counselor with experience helping others like you is also vital.

Myth #4: Counseling is expensive.

FACT: Many insurance plans cover counseling services. If you don't have insurance, counseling is still affordable. A typical session costs between $50-$100 per hour.

Myth #5: Counselors are all about money.

FACT: The truth is that most counselors work because they care about helping others. Some counselors charge higher rates because of their specialty and experience, which is also very important. Most counseling practices offer a variety of rates to meet the needs of different clients.

Are You Ready To Start Your Counseling?

The staff and counselors at New Heights Counseling, located in Fort Walton Beach, FL., are ready to assist you with your recovery journey. As an Okaloosa county independent counseling practice, we have immediate openings for individual counseling. Our intake team is available by phone (850)757-1552, Monday-Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM.or by email at info@Florida-counseling.com to answer any questions you have regarding our services. Contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified therapists today! Their clinical counseling skills will guide you through overcoming your challenges. Want to know more about us? Visit us at the New Heights Counseling Website.

Appointment Schedule (Last appointment - 4 PM)

Sunday Closed

Monday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Evenings/Weekends by Appointment

Not ready for individual counseling yet? Read these blogs written by New Heights staff:

• When Should I Seek Counseling?
• Anxiety, How Do I Know?
• Manage Everyday Stress!
• Your Quality of Life Matters – 4 Ways to Improve it!
• Welcome Video New Heights Counseling Founder & Clinical Director Colleen Wenner

Mental Health Services at New Heights Counseling

Life is complicated, and we understand you might be dealing with multiple problems. Our therapists at New Heights Counseling have a variety of specialties. We're able to offer a wide variety of mental health services. We can do so in our office in Fort Walton Beach or online in Florida. Some of our specialties include anxiety counseling, depression counseling, EMDR counseling, trauma therapy, PTSD therapy, adolescent counseling, couples counseling, family counseling, military counseling, group counseling, individual counseling, and more! We're here to help.