Pursuing counseling doesn’t have to be scary or intimidating. At Mansfield Christian Counseling in Texas, we want you to have a clear picture of what individual counseling is, how it can help you, and what to expect.
If you’re looking for support and help, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you need to know about individual counseling at Mansfield Christian Counseling.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 333-6163
One of the first things to understand is what individual counseling is (and what it is not). Sometimes we have a picture in our heads of what something looks like. Maybe you’ve watched movies that show a person laying on a couch sharing their darkest secrets with someone in a blazer with elbow patches and a yellow legal pad. Or maybe you see a sterile room with a circle of chairs as people tell their secrets.
Movies may be entertaining, but they aren’t always accurate.
Individual counseling is counseling for an individual. That may sound simple, and in some ways it is. When a person needs support, guidance, or strategies for handling things like difficult situations, past trauma, worries, frustrations, or even things they can’t quite identify, a professional counselor can help.
Using talk therapy and other methods, a person trained in counseling will help you understand, process, and work through whatever concerns you are facing. At Mansfield Christian Counseling, we believe that faith can be part of that process. The counselors in our office are licensed and trained to help you. We are committed to your well-being.
The simple answer is anyone. Individual counseling is an opportunity for anyone who needs support to find it as they work with a professional. Some people seeking individual counseling are going through major life changes while others feel out of sorts. Some are handling past trauma while others are seeking help for a medical diagnosis.
The list of reasons people seek individual counseling varies. Possible reasons people seek individual counseling:
- Relationship concerns such as break ups, divorce, someone close moving away, complicated interactions, codependency, and changes in roles.
- Anxiety and struggles with worry, fear, or uncertainty.
- Care taking responsibilities that feel overwhelming, uncertain, and frustrating.
- Depression or feelings of prolonged sadness, feeling blue, or generally feeling down.
- Trauma from a current or past event such as an accident, death, abuse, or another life-altering event.
- Parenting struggles or concerns.
- Substance abuse and addiction to drugs or alcohol.
- Eating-related concerns such as food addiction, anorexia, or bulimia.
- Work issues that impact your life.
- Anger or other emotional regulation issues.
- School difficulties and stressors.
- Bullying or being bullied.
- Grief from the death of a loved one.
There are many possible reasons people seek individual counseling. The good news is that you don’t need to figure it out alone. Meeting with a counselor can help you identify why you are there and how they can help.
Overall, your counseling sessions will likely consist of talk therapy. This is an approach where you and your counselor spend time talking to better understand what you are facing and things you can do to help.
For your first visit, sometimes called an intake or initial consultation, your therapist will ask questions to understand your medical history and your family history, and address any questions you have. This is an important part of the process for both of you. It allows the counselor to know about anything important medically, but it also gives you the chance to get to know your counselor.
When you first start counseling in Mansfield, Texas, your therapist will get to know you a little more. He or she may ask about your life, what you do, what you enjoy, and the people in your life to understand more about who you are. Getting to know you helps them form a more complete picture and it gives you time to feel more comfortable.
The counselor will also ask why you are there. You don’t have to know the exact answer to this question. It is okay if you offer the general reason: you sought counseling. This could be something concrete or something you can’t identify, other than needing help or wanting someone to listen. No matter what your reason is, your counselor is committed to helping you.
As you continue your sessions, you and your counselor will talk about whatever you are facing. Your counselor will likely ask questions, sometimes gently challenging you to think about your situation in a new or deeper way. This is meant to help you find freedom from whatever you are facing.
Your counselor may give you homework or things to try between sessions. Additionally. You may explore other methods such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), medication options, and other types of therapy such as group therapy or marriage counseling. Your therapist will work with you so you understand and are comfortable with any methods you pursue.
The length of most individual counseling sessions is 50-60 minutes. Sometimes you can do longer or shorter periods if you and your counselor believe it is in your best interest, however, 50-60 minutes tends to be the standard. Many people opt for weekly appointments. It is possible to go more often (a few times per week) or biweekly or monthly.
Individual counseling is often for a season in your life. It is unlikely that you will start counseling and go weekly for the rest of your life, although that can be helpful for some people. It is more common, however, to go to counseling for a period of time as you work through something. This could be a few sessions or three, six, or even twelve months. You and your counselor will decide what is right for you.
Often, people find it helpful to go to counseling for some time and then pursue check-ins as needed. This may look like weekly sessions for four months followed by monthly sessions. Some people find it helpful to know they have a relationship with a counselor they trust with whom they can connect if something difficult comes up months or even years later.
Counseling can help you with whatever you are facing. Whether it is something that seems big and significant or something that seems small, talking through it with a professional can help you in so many ways.
For some people that means processing past hurt so you can move on. For others, it means coming up with strategies to improve your daily well-being or foster healthier relationships. Others may find help in treatment options that bring freedom from addiction or help to deal with mental health issues.
Whatever you are facing, you can find help with counseling. At Mansfield Christian Counseling, we will work with you to achieve your goals for a better, happier life.
Getting started doesn’t have to be scary. You’re already on the journey to better health and emotional well-being. By reading this and understanding more about Christian counseling in Mansfield, Texas you have taken steps forward.
The next step is simply connecting. When you reach out to Mansfield Christian Counseling our staff will help you set up a time to meet with one of our trained counselors.
When you come to your first appointment it is an opportunity for you and a counselor to get to know one another. They may ask you to fill out some forms and get to know you better. You can also use this as an opportunity to get to know your counselor and ask questions. Getting to know one another will help you feel comfortable and confident as you pursue your individual Christian counseling journey.
Take the next step today. Reach out to Mansfield Christian Counseling and connect with a counselor who can help.
Get connected with a Christian Counselor
Please contact our reception team at
(469) 333-6163
