Individual counseling is an opportunity to improve yourself in a confidential, caring space. Serenity Wellness, LLC counselors use evidence based, cognitive behavioral therapies and solution-focused methods while also attending to the developmental, identity-related, and mental health concerns of our clients. Individual counseling sessions typically last 50 minutes, and a counselor works with you to address emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or other issues that cause distress.
Individual and group counseling include a variety of treatments used to treat behavioral health problems. Counseling and more specialized psychotherapies seek to change behaviors, thoughts, emotions, and how people see and understand situations. Counseling is provided by trained counselors such as psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and therapists.
Counseling can take a number of forms depending on the type of therapy being used, the goals of the treatment, and other factors in the life of the person receiving therapy. Some courses of counseling last for months or even years, while others can be brief. One brief, goal-oriented strategy, which may be used by itself or as a part of broader course of counseling is Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET). MET is based on principles of motivational psychology and designed to produce rapid, internally motivated change. Rather than directing an individual through recovery, counselors make efforts to help to mobilize the person’s own resources and build their own motivation to address a goal, such as reducing alcohol use. Counseling is commonly provided on an individual basis. However, group counseling can be very effective with small groups of people addressing common issues.
Different counselors have different orientations, or schools or thought, about how to provide these services. One common orientation is cognitive-behavioral; counselors who use this approach provide Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT helps people in treatment seek their own solutions to problems by addressing behaviors, thoughts, and feelings with systematic goal-oriented strategies. It is important to understand that even within CBT, as with other orientations, there is a great amount of variability and most counselors borrow on strategies from many different orientations when they provide counseling or psychotherapy. Finding the right counselor and developing a productive relationship is important for treatment to be successful. Treatment success may be more important than choosing a counselor based on a particular orientation.
If you think that your counselor is not a good match for you, we encourage you to discuss your concerns directly with your counselor. Our counselors understand that not all client/patient/counselor assignments are a good fit and will help facilitate a referral to another counselor in our office, as appropriate. If you have further concerns, or do not feel comfortable talking directly to your counselor about your concerns, you are welcome to contact the Executive Director who will happily assist you in making any changes necessary to ensure you have a positive and fulfilling therapeutic experience at Serenity Wellness, LLC.