INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Personalized, Compassionate Psychotherapy in New York City
Whether you are facing debilitating feelings of anxiety or depression, struggling in the wake of a loss, devastated by a traumatic or life-altering event, or having difficulty conceiving, individual therapy can play a major role in helping you cope, manage your emotions, and heal. Individual therapy centers itself in empathy and building a trusting relationship between therapist and patient. While in session, the individual and therapist will develop life-changing strategies and techniques for dealing with the issues or difficulties facing the individual. New York City psychologist Shannon Stepan works with patients for short- or long-term individual therapy to address acute issues or to improve overall mental health and wellness.
Is Therapy Right for You?
If an issue is causing you distress and interferes with your daily life, it may be time to seek therapy. Distress can manifest as negative thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, or even a bodily reaction, such as pain or fatigue. It’s best to seek therapy if you are unhappy or feel overwhelmed and hopeless about issues in your life. If you are having trouble concentrating at work or school, struggle with anxiety or depression, or feel like hurting yourself or others, therapy can help.
Some people avoid therapeutic treatment because they worry about the stigma that can come with mental health care. Some have feelings of shame when speaking about their problems. Others may not want to acknowledge that anything is wrong. Statistics from the National Institute of Mental Health show that one in 5 adults in the United States may be affected by mental health issues. Working with a trained therapist who provides support and maintains confidentiality can help you identify underlying causes of symptoms and introduce strategic plans for altering unwanted thoughts and behaviors. If you are a New Yorker seeking the help of a trained psychologist, Shannon Stepan can help you learn skills to manage symptoms, reduce stress, and improve your quality of life.
Types of Individual Therapy
Therapists use several types of therapy. Psychologist Dr. Shannon Stepan uses an eclectic approach that leans heavily on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), attachment theory, and psychodynamic theory. Dr. Stepan also utilizes the following techniques of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):
Mindfulness: Skills to focus on the present, reduce judgment of thoughts, and gain greater control over your thinking.
Emotional Regulation: Skills to improve your ability to change and cope effectively with emotions, rather than being controlled by your emotional state.
Distress Tolerance: Skills to manage your crisis and sit with difficult emotions without making the situation/your problems worse.
Interpersonal Effectiveness: Skills to get your needs met in relationships while attending to and improving those relationships.
How Long Does Individual Therapy Last?
Individual therapy sessions often last up to 60 minutes. How often the therapy sessions occur and how long they actually are depend on many factors, including:
- the mental health condition being addressed and its severity
- the amount of time the person in therapy has had the issue
- how much the issue affects daily life
- how much distress the issue causes
- how quickly the person in therapy improves
Some issues can be addressed through short-term therapy, lasting a few weeks. However, chronic or more complex and severe issues require long-term treatment.
Is Individual Therapy Effective?
Individual therapy is an effective treatment for many types of mental, emotional, and behavioral health issues. If therapy is unable to cure a condition, it certainly can help people achieve and develop healthy coping skills. Determination and consistency to heal are essential for meeting therapeutic goals, and fostering a positive relationship with the therapist is crucial to the treatment process.
Finding a therapist you are comfortable with and cooperating with them can help you get the most out of treatment. When a person is open and honest, therapists are able to address issues and adjust treatment options accordingly. It is also important to attend each session and complete any “homework” that the therapist might assign. Being patient and sticking to the treatment plan can ease long-term success in therapy.
Individual therapy is effective in helping people who are facing difficult life situations. People who are looking to develop healthier, more functional personal habits would benefit from individual therapy. Some benefits of individual therapy include getting a better understanding of yourself, learning how to handle your emotions, managing your symptoms, and developing and implementing lifestyle changes.
What Are Common Issues Addressed in Individual Therapy?
Psychologist Shannon Stepan works with individuals to address the following issues and more through compassionate, personalized individual therapy:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Trauma
- Loss/Bereavement
- Fertility Issues/Difficulty Conceiving
- Relationship Issues
Get the Help You Need with Individual Therapy
Working with a compassionate and qualified therapist can help you overcome obstacles in your life and find the emotional support you need to achieve your goals. Schedule a consultation with New York City psychologist, Dr. Shannon Stepan, today.
