Individual Therapy

Everyone’s recovery journey is different—and that’s why individual therapy for addiction is so important. This one-on-one counseling approach gives you a safe, confidential space to work through challenges, explore emotions, and gain tools for long-term healing. 

At Oak Grove Recovery in Westerville, Ohio, we believe that healing starts with being seen, heard, and supported. Whether you’re just beginning treatment or continuing a longer journey, individual therapy is a cornerstone of the care we provide in our addiction therapy programs.

What is individual therapy? 

Individual therapy is a private counseling session between you and a licensed therapist. In addiction treatment, these sessions focus on how substance use has affected your life—and how to build a healthier path forward. 

Unlike group therapy, individual therapy allows for more in-depth conversation and personalized guidance. It’s your time to be honest, reflect, and gain clarity with support from someone who’s trained to help you grow. 

Therapists at Oak Grove Recovery are experienced in therapy for substance abuse, trauma, and co-occurring mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. They work with you at your pace, creating a space that’s welcoming, compassionate, and free from judgment. 

Struggling with substance use or a dual diagnosis? Individual therapy helps you understand the “why” behind addiction—and gives you the tools to create lasting change.

How individual therapy supports addiction recovery 

Addiction doesn’t just affect your body. It also impacts your emotions, thoughts, relationships, and self-worth. Individual therapy for addiction helps you address all of those areas. 

Here’s how one-on-one counseling supports healing: 

• Uncovers root causes of substance use, such as trauma, stress, or emotional pain 
• Builds new coping strategies to replace old patterns 
• Supports relapse prevention by helping you identify triggers 
• Rebuilds self-esteem and strengthens emotional resilience 
• Provides structure and accountability during treatment 

For many people, therapy is the first place they’ve felt safe enough to talk honestly about what they’ve been through. At Oak Grove Recovery, our therapists meet you with patience, empathy, and clinical skill. 

You don’t have to fix everything at once. Therapy is a process—and you’re not in it alone.

What to expect in an individual therapy session 

At Oak Grove Recovery, your individual therapy sessions are part of a structured, evidence-based treatment plan designed to support both addiction recovery and mental health stability. These sessions aren’t just open conversations—they’re focused, intentional, and integrated into your overall care. Every aspect of treatment is customized to align with your needs, and individual therapy plays a vital role in ensuring that the treatment plan stays flexible and effective as you grow. 

We start by conducting a full clinical assessment to understand your history with substance use, any co-occurring mental health diagnoses, and any past trauma or life stressors that may be contributing to current challenges. From there, we set therapeutic goals that may include behavior change, emotional processing, relationship building, and developing relapse prevention strategies. 

Your therapist may also collaborate with other treatment team members—including medical staff, group facilitators, or case managers—to ensure that your care is holistic and well-coordinated. This team-based model ensures that your individual therapy is never operating in isolation; it’s always connected to the bigger picture of your recovery. 

Your therapist will take time to get to know you: your story, your strengths, and your goals. From there, they’ll work with you to create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 

In a typical session, you might: 

• Reflect on past experiences and how they’ve shaped your behavior 
• Talk through challenges you’re facing in recovery 
• Practice stress-reduction techniques or communication skills 
• Set short- and long-term goals 
• Learn how to manage cravings, triggers, or relationship issues 

Sessions are always confidential, and your therapist will adapt their approach based on your comfort level. Common evidence-based methods used in therapy for addiction recovery include: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): Helps you identify and reframe negative thought patterns 
• Motivational interviewing (MI): Encourages self-reflection and personal motivation for change 
• Trauma-informed care: Acknowledges past trauma and helps you move forward safely 

Therapy sessions are usually held weekly during residential treatment, and more or less frequently depending on your needs. 

At Oak Grove Recovery, individual therapy is just one part of a full continuum of care. Learn how it fits into our full addiction therapy programs and addiction treatment programs.

Benefits of individual therapy for addiction 

Therapy offers more than just short-term relief—it equips you with tools and insights that last well beyond treatment. At Oak Grove Recovery, individual therapy is integrated into your day-to-day recovery work, creating space for breakthroughs and personal wins as you learn new ways to navigate life without substances. 

Therapy helps you grow—not just stop using. Some of the most meaningful benefits of individual therapy for addiction include: 

• Personalized support: Sessions are all about you—your goals, your experiences, your healing 
• Emotional safety: Talk openly without fear of judgment 
• Better mental health: Address depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other co-occurring conditions 
• Lifelong tools: Learn healthy ways to cope with stress, relationships, and emotions 
• Improved communication: Build stronger, more honest connections with family and loved ones 

At Oak Grove Recovery, we believe real recovery includes emotional healing, self-awareness, and confidence. Individual therapy is one of the most powerful ways to get there. 

You deserve to be heard 

No matter where you are in your recovery journey—whether you’ve just started asking questions or you’ve tried treatment before—individual therapy gives you a place to regroup, refocus, and rebuild. We know that recovery isn’t linear. Some days are hard. Some days feel like progress. But in every stage, your therapist is there to walk with you, help you make meaning of the struggle, and keep you grounded in your goals. 

Whether you’re starting treatment or looking to deepen your recovery, individual therapy for addiction can help you move forward. You don’t have to carry the weight of substance use, trauma, or mental health struggles alone. 

We’re here to support you with compassion, professionalism, and a space where your story matters.