You’ve made the decision to begin therapy.  A commendable choice. But now you’re weighing which modality is right for you: individual or group therapy?

On March 12, 2020, a seismic global shift took hold. A worldwide pandemic, the likes of which had not been seen in over 100 years, gripped the global community. It necessitated immediate adaptation to keep some continuity in daily life, commerce, and government. Psychotherapy as a field was no exception.

Mental illness has long been stigmatized in society.  Countless stories, plays, films, and other artistic depictions of the ‘mentally ill’ include horrifying scenes of people out of control, and cold, impersonal staff behaving sadistically toward tragically downtrodden individuals.  

There has been a sharply increasing awareness of the relationship between mental health and physical well-being. Doctors and other health care providers include more mental health screening in their initial intakes as well as attunement to changes in mental health in long-term patients.  

When Sigmund Freud invented psychoanalysis over a century ago, he saw patients daily — every day except Sunday. In contrast, psychotherapy now mostly occurs once a week. But there’s a lot of variation: some clients go two or three times a week, while others meet with their therapist every other week, or even less.

As someone who thrives on making informed decisions, you're likely seeking ways to optimize your personal and professional life. If you've ever wondered whether psychotherapy could be the right next step in that journey, you’re not alone.

Who you tell your stories to matters. The person hearing you impacts what you feel comfortable sharing, what you share, and how you come to live with the things that you share about. This is true in everyday relationships, and it’s also true when it comes to finding the right psychotherapist for you.