Individual therapy is also called therapy, psychotherapy, psychosocial therapy, talk therapy, and counseling. It is a joint process between a licensed therapist and a person in treatment. The goal of therapy is often to inspire change and improve quality of life. People might seek therapy for help with personal, educational, social, or career challenges that are hard to face alone.

Therapy can help people overcome obstacles to emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental well-being. It can also increase positive feelings, such as compassion and self-esteem. People in therapy can learn healthy skills for managing difficult situations, making positive decisions, and reaching goals. Many find they enjoy the therapeutic journey of becoming more self-aware. Some people pursue ongoing therapy for self-growth.

History of Individual Psychotherapy

The term “psychotherapy” comes from the Greek words for soul and healing. Ancient Greeks may have been the first to view mental health issues as physical and mental conditions. At the time, other cultures understood them as the result of demonic possession. Still, the Greeks' understanding of mental health issues was limited. They did recognize the benefits of using encouraging words when speaking to people with mental health issues. But, they also had many false beliefs about mental health. For example, they thought only women experienced hysteria. The also believed that bathing was an effective treatment for people with depression.

Treatment for severe mental health conditions was often harsh and inhumane before reformers worked for better conditions during the 18th century. In 1773, the first asylum in North America was founded. By the end of the 19th century, most American towns had an asylum. However, individuals admitted to an asylum rarely left the facility. This led to a steadily increasing population of institutionalized people. It was not uncommon for care at asylums to include the use of restraints and violent treatment by doctors.

It’s likely that informal types of therapy were practiced throughout human history. However, modern psychotherapy developed near the end of the 19th century in Western Europe. During this time, the first laboratory for psychological research was established by Wilhelm Wundt, and  Sigmund Freud’s “talking cure” laid the foundation for psychoanalysis. 

Many therapeutic techniques flourished in the 20th century. These techniques were largely inspired by popular schools of thought at the time. Some of these schools of thought include psychoanalysis, behaviorism, cognitivism, and systems psychology. In the 21st century, there are many treatments that incorporate diverse fields, such as mindfulness and neurobiology. Many approaches focus on helping people in treatment identify their concerns, foster personal growth, and develop healthy coping skills.