Individual psychotherapy for adults is a planned and structured process of psychological support in which a person aged 18 or over works through emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and relational difficulties in one-to-one sessions with a mental health professional. NIMH describes psychotherapy as a general term for a range of approaches that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
What is individual psychotherapy and what is it for?
In this process, not only the symptoms a person experiences but also their life story, current difficulties, ways of thinking, emotional needs, behavior cycles, and relationship patterns are considered together. A range of topics can be addressed, such as anxiety, stress, emotion regulation difficulties, life transitions, recurring relationship problems, loss and grief, burnout, or a wish to understand oneself more closely.
The aim of psychotherapy is not always only to reduce symptoms. Understanding the difficulty one is experiencing, reviewing one’s bond with oneself and with relationships, developing more functional ways of coping, and noticing recurring cycles are also important parts of the process. The article What Is Psychotherapy? describes the general framework.
How does individual psychotherapy differ from group, couple, or family therapy?
In individual psychotherapy, sessions take place one-to-one between the client and the therapist. The NHS notes that talking therapies can take place with a person on their own, as a couple or family, or in a group; NIMH states that psychotherapy is mostly delivered one-on-one or in a group. In individual work, a person’s relationships, family life, and work life can be discussed; the focus, however, is the individual’s own experience and inner world.
| Format | Who takes part? | General focus |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | The person and the therapist | The person’s own experience, inner world, and relationship patterns |
| Couple | Partners and the therapist | The relationship between partners |
| Family | Family members and the therapist | Relationships within the family |
| Group | Several people and the therapist | Sharing and interaction within the group |
The table summarizes general tendencies; practice varies with the way of working. The work described on this site consists of individual sessions with adults.
Why do the therapeutic relationship and fit matter?
NIMH states that rapport and trust are essential in psychotherapy, and that before starting, a person can ask about the therapist’s qualifications and experience, the approach used, goals, how progress will be assessed, and confidentiality. If a person has doubts about fit, they can say so in the session; whether the way of working is suitable can be assessed together (How Is the Suitable Way of Working Assessed?).
How does a session proceed?
In the first sessions, the nature of the difficulty, the person’s expectations, life circumstances, and a suitable working framework are considered together (What Is Covered in the First Session?). Later sessions generally proceed around the person’s current agenda and the goals that have been set. According to the NHS, a counselor listens without judgment and helps the person find their own solutions; counselors usually do not give advice or tell the person what to do.
The length and frequency of sessions vary with the person and the way of working. The NHS notes that counseling sessions usually last 50 to 60 minutes; for sessions on this site, length and frequency are determined together at the initial assessment (How Are Session Frequency and Length Determined?).
Is there work between sessions?
This depends on the approach used. In the cognitive behavioral approach, practicing exercises or keeping records between sessions is often part of the process; the NHS likewise notes that people are usually asked to practice what they have learned between CBT sessions. In the psychodynamic approach, structured homework is generally not assigned; the work proceeds mainly through conversation and meaning-making within the session. More detail is available in What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)? and What Is Psychodynamic Psychotherapy?.
Who conducts individual psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is conducted by professionals trained in the mental health field. According to the Turkish Psychological Association, the title of psychologist belongs to graduates of psychology undergraduate programs recognized by Turkey’s Council of Higher Education, and the title of clinical psychologist indicates scientific competence. The title of psychotherapist requires the completion of suitable therapy training and supervision processes, and the two titles cannot be used interchangeably. The Association also states that diplomas and training certificates can be requested when there is uncertainty about a title.
Common misconceptions about individual psychotherapy
- “Individual psychotherapy is no different from a conversation.” Psychotherapy is a planned process in which a person works with a trained mental health professional to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; it has a framework and goals.
- “The therapist tells the person what to do.” Psychotherapy is not a process in which ready-made advice is given or decisions are made on the person’s behalf.
- “Duration and number of sessions are the same for everyone.” Duration varies from person to person with the reason for seeking support, the goals, and the course of the process.
Expert note
In individual psychotherapy, the agenda of a session arises largely from the person’s own experience; methods and techniques serve to understand that experience. Two people who come with a similar reason for seeking support may need different work because of their different life stories and relationship patterns.
From a perspective that draws on cognitive behavioral and psychodynamic psychotherapy theories, the person is considered together with their life story, current difficulties, relationships, and recurring patterns. Which approach, or which combination, is suitable generally becomes clear only after an assessment process; the information in this article does not replace that assessment.
Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between individual psychotherapy and group, couple, or family therapy?
In individual psychotherapy, sessions take place one-to-one between the client and the therapist. In group, couple, or family therapy, more than one person takes part in the process.
At what age does individual psychotherapy for adults begin?
Individual psychotherapy for adults covers people aged 18 and over.
Is individual psychotherapy different from a conversation?
Individual psychotherapy is a planned process in which a person works with a trained mental health professional to understand their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; in this respect it differs from an everyday conversation. Sessions generally proceed around the person’s agenda and jointly set goals.
What if I do not feel a good fit with the therapist?
Trust and fit are considered important in the therapeutic relationship. The person can raise this in the session, and whether the way of working is suitable can be assessed together.
Is a diagnosis needed to start psychotherapy?
Generally not; many situations, such as long-lasting stress, loss, or relationship difficulties, can be topics of sessions. The article Which Topics Can Be Addressed in Sessions? describes what can be addressed.
Sources
This article is intended for general information. The following sources were consulted in its preparation (the Turkish Psychological Association page is in Turkish):
- NIMH (U.S. National Institute of Mental Health): Psychotherapies
- NHS (UK National Health Service): Counselling
- NHS: Talking therapies
- NHS: Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Turkish Psychological Association: Frequently Asked Questions (in Turkish)
This article was prepared by Clinical Psychologist Özgün Emre Yaylacı. Last updated: October 23, 2026. The content is for general information only and does not constitute diagnosis, treatment or personal guidance.
