Individual Therapy

Individual Therapy

At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we believe in the power of individualized care. While group settings can offer community and peer support, individual psychotherapy creates a safe, one-on-one space for you to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a licensed professional. Whether you’re navigating a recent life transition or managing the long-term effects of a mental health disorder, our clinicians work closely with you to help identify challenges, build coping skills, and support meaningful progress.

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves. That’s why our outpatient programs in Atlanta are built around real-life application—helping you develop the emotional resilience and insight needed not just to heal, but to thrive. If you’re looking for a more personalized, empowering path to mental health recovery, individual psychotherapy may be a powerful place to begin.

What is Individual Psychotherapy?

Individual psychotherapy, often referred to as talk therapy or simply individual therapy, is a collaborative process between a licensed therapist and a client. Sessions are structured, yet flexible, and are designed to explore the personal, emotional, and psychological struggles that impact your daily life. The goal is to help you better understand yourself, reduce symptoms of distress, and develop healthier patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.

Through open and honest dialogue, therapy can help uncover the root causes of emotional pain, increase self-awareness, and empower you to take control of your mental health. Whether you’re facing a specific issue—such as depression, trauma, anxiety, or addiction—or just want to better understand yourself, individual psychotherapy offers a dedicated space to do that work.

Some common goals of individual therapy include:

• Learning how to manage symptoms of mental health conditions
• Processing trauma or unresolved life experiences
• Improving relationships and interpersonal skills
• Reducing stress, anger, and emotional reactivity
• Building healthy routines and long-term coping strategies
• Strengthening self-esteem and personal identity

Types of Individual Psychotherapy in Atlanta

At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we know that therapy is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why we offer a range of evidence-based approaches that can be tailored to your specific needs, personality, and goals. Our therapists draw from different modalities, often integrating techniques for the best outcomes. We offer individual, group, and family therapy. 

Here are some of the most common types of individual psychotherapy we offer:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT helps clients identify and challenge unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. It’s especially effective for anxiety, depression, and trauma.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Originally developed for borderline personality disorder, DBT focuses on emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and mindfulness—beneficial for anyone struggling with intense emotions or self-destructive behaviors.
• Psychodynamic Therapy: This approach focuses on unconscious processes and past experiences that shape current behavior. It’s often used to explore patterns rooted in childhood and relational dynamics.
• Trauma-Focused Therapy: We offer EMDR and other trauma-informed therapies for individuals recovering from PTSD, complex trauma, or emotionally distressing events.
• Solution-Focused Therapy: A short-term approach that focuses on setting goals and finding practical solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Ideal for those seeking clarity or rapid change.
• Mindfulness-Based Therapy: Mindfulness is often woven into therapy sessions to help individuals increase present-moment awareness and reduce rumination, stress, and anxiety.

Our Programs That Offer Individual Psychotherapy

Individual psychotherapy is a cornerstone of every treatment program at North Atlanta Behavioral Health. Whether you’re just beginning your mental health journey or transitioning back into daily life, we offer levels of care designed to meet you where you are.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

Our PHP offers the highest level of outpatient care. Clients participate in structured therapy during the day—typically five days per week—and return home in the evenings. Individual psychotherapy is offered once per week as part of this program. This level of care is ideal for individuals who require intensive therapeutic support but do not need 24/7 supervision.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Our IOP provides a step down from PHP while still offering a consistent therapeutic framework. Clients in IOP engage in therapy sessions multiple times per week and attend individual psychotherapy twice per week. This program is suitable for those transitioning from a higher level of care or needing more than weekly support.

Outpatient Program (OP)

For clients who are stable and ready to manage their mental health with minimal support, our OP offers flexible scheduling for ongoing therapy. Individual psychotherapy sessions are scheduled based on client need—usually weekly or biweekly—and serve as a maintenance step toward long-term recovery.

What to Expect In an Individual Psychotherapy Session

If you’ve never experienced therapy before, it’s normal to feel uncertain about what to expect. At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, we prioritize making that first step comfortable, approachable, and meaningful.

A typical session lasts between 45 to 60 minutes. The first few sessions often focus on getting to know your therapist, building trust, and identifying the concerns or patterns that brought you to treatment. You’ll discuss your goals, challenges, and hopes for therapy, and your therapist will begin to develop a treatment plan based on those conversations.

As therapy progresses, you’ll:

• Explore thoughts and emotions in a safe, nonjudgmental setting
• Learn new coping mechanisms for managing distress
• Identify and reframe limiting beliefs
• Practice emotional regulation skills
• Process past trauma and develop resilience
• Track progress and adjust goals as needed

How Often Do I Meet With My Therapist?

The frequency of individual psychotherapy sessions varies based on the level of care you’re enrolled in and your personal therapeutic needs.

• PHP (Partial Hospitalization Program): 1 individual therapy session per week
• IOP (Intensive Outpatient Program): 2 individual therapy sessions per week
• OP (Outpatient Program): Frequency determined collaboratively with your therapist; often weekly or biweekly

These sessions complement group therapy, medication management (if applicable), and other treatment modalities to provide a well-rounded path to healing.

Start Individual Psychotherapy in Atlanta Today

Healing doesn’t happen in isolation—and it doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right support, change is possible. At North Atlanta Behavioral Health, our compassionate therapists are here to walk beside you as you navigate the complexities of your mental health journey.

Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, depression, or another challenge, individual psychotherapy in Atlanta can help you gain the insight, confidence, and coping tools you need to move forward.

Contact us today to learn more about our outpatient programs and schedule your first session. Your path to a healthier, more connected life starts here.