Our counselors provide therapy in Reston, VA

William: My go-to approach for helping people in individual therapy is cognitive behavioral therapy. However, I stress that every individual is unique and therefore will craft a treatment plan with specific approaches based on the individual needs.

Christina: One of my go-to approaches for helping people in individual therapy is identifying values and strengths. I find that when people are able to lean into their values and strengths, they are more able to tackle the challenges that brought them to therapy in the first place. Often, people don't realize what they're capable of with the strengths they currently have.

William: I teach the following tools in individual therapy:

• Positive psychology
• Person-centered therapy
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• And several other tools depending on the individual

Christina: Tools I commonly use in individual therapy include:

• Coping skills identification worksheet: This tool includes different types of coping skills (thought challenging, grounding, distraction, etc.) and descriptions about when each category may or may not be helpful.
• Values identification: With this tool, I help individuals identify their core values and how they show up in daily life. From there, individuals are able to make decisions based on these values.
• Metaphors: While this is a very general tool, I often find that individuals are better able to express their emotions and thoughts through metaphors. I will use metaphors presented by the individual and build on them in order to better understand the situation or to identify solutions to the challenges at hand. I also enjoy using metaphors to explain clinical concepts to help individuals understand their own thought processes.

William: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when their original goals for therapy are fulfilled when they demonstrate an increased sense of self-awareness, development of healthier coping strategies, and grow into the best possible self they can be.

Christina: I know a client is making meaningful progress in individual therapy when they are excited to come into session and share the successes they have had since the last time we met. Additionally, I often notice changes in thought patterns between when we first meet to the time that the client is making noticeable meaningful progress. Many times, these shifts may seem small at first, but they often build on themselves.

William: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, practicing good self-care, and continuing what was discussed in therapy and applying it to daily life.

Christina: Clients can supplement their time in individual therapy by connecting with supportive others, reflecting on what was discussed in the previous session, and engaging in self-care activities.

William: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, I encourage you to first, give yourself a pat on the back. Coming in for an intake, especially if this is your first time in therapy, demonstrates a lot of bravery. You've already completed the hardest step!

Christina: To prepare for your first individual therapy session, think about things that you want your therapist to know about you, and consider what your goals for therapy are.