Humans are naturally social creatures, so talking and communicating with others is one of the primary methods we have for sifting through our thoughts. Unfortunately, we don’t always feel comfortable talking to the people in our lives. When we’re feeling overwhelmed, our emotions, worries, and stresses can seem like too much to unload on a friend or an acquaintance. That’s where talk therapy can help–one-on-one therapy allows you to speak to someone in confidence. A professional counselor can respond to your concerns objectively, offer a comforting word, and give you sound advice to help you live a better life. Read on to learn how one-on-one talk therapy can support you.

Every day, millions of people seek the help of therapists for issues ranging from the mundane to the extreme, and one-on-one talk therapy is the most popular form of therapy. The widespread usage and popularity of this form of therapy means that the modern therapist has a vast array of methods and techniques to help you change the way you think and feel better.

Meeting with a therapist one-on-one allows the therapist to give you custom and specific attention that isn’t possible in a group setting. While group settings have their merits, especially for people who need a community while they recover from some form of trauma or addiction, individual therapy can be optimized for almost any need. The therapist will generally set specific goals and objectives to guide you through treatment.

Depending on what you’re looking for and why you’re seeking counseling, you might have one session (though most people have at least five sessions), or you might attend weekly sessions for months or even years in some cases. It’s completely dependent on your personal needs, your situation, and the efficacy of treatment.