Last Updated:

July 22nd, 2025

Individual Therapy | Rehab Treatment Therapies

When you’re dealing with addiction, talking one-on-one with someone who really listens can make all the difference. That’s what individual therapy for addiction is all about. It is a private space where you can say what’s on your mind without being judged or rushed. There are many rehab programmes across the UK that offer addiction treatment with individual therapy and these sessions often provide the biggest insights and breakthroughs. While it can be scary at first to open up to a stranger, individual therapy can provide a real turning point not just in your recovery but for your entire life.

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What is individual therapy for addiction?

In private individual therapy for addiction, it is just you and a therapist, working together as a team. Your therapist will use different techniques depending on what you need and together you will begin to make sense of what’s been happening in your life. This means looking at everything that has brought you to this point, the feelings, struggles and emotions which often precede substance use or addictive behaviours and what life could look like after addiction.

What are the benefits of individual therapy for addiction?

Addiction treatment with individual therapy is a powerful part of recovery because it focuses fully on you. Some of the biggest benefits of individual therapy for addiction include:

  • A space to speak freely
  • Therapy sessions that are built around your needs
  • Fresh insight into your behaviour
  • Practical ways to handle the tough stuff
  • The chance to work through deeper pain
  • Stronger connections with the people in your life

How individual therapy works in addiction treatment

Individual therapy can be a real turning point for a lot of people in recovery. Talking things through in a private setting can help you recognise burdens you have been carrying around for years and hopefully start unloading some of that weight.

Many of the root causes of addictive behaviours can remain hidden, even from yourself. Individual therapy gives you a spade to dig deep and reveal all your causes so they can be systematically addressed.

Addiction treatment with individual therapy is often more effective than treatment with group therapy alone because it gives you the chance to work through challenges that might be too personal or confusing to share in a group setting.

However, individual therapy is at its most effective when it is part of a wide rehab programme, working in unison with other therapies. It works really well alongside group therapy as it gives you a chance to make sense of things privately first. Once you’ve had space to figure things out in your own time, it can feel easier to open up in the group later.

It is also really useful if you’re doing family therapy. Being able to talk privately about how things feel at home, without worrying about upsetting anyone, can help you figure out what you actually want to say. Then, when you’re in the room with your family, you won’t be as overwhelmed as you have already had time to prepare.

What to expect in individual therapy for addiction

Individual therapy usually takes place in a quiet, private space where you can talk freely without distractions. Sessions last about an hour and everything you share is kept completely confidential. The goal is to help you feel safe and comfortable so you can speak openly and get the most out of each session.

Here’s what you can expect from an individual therapy programme:

  • Caring, qualified therapists: Your therapist will be fully trained and experienced but just as importantly, will listen actively and truly care about helping you get better.
  • Empathy: In some places, your therapist might have been through recovery themselves. That kind of lived experience can be incredibly helpful as they will understand some of your challenges without you even needing to explain.
  • Trust that builds over time: One of the most important parts of therapy is trust. Your therapist will work on building a safe, respectful relationship so you feel confident enough to share even the most personal things.
  • Check-ins and tweaks along the way: One major advantage of individual therapy is that it can be adjusted as you progress. Your therapist will assess how things are going at every stage and make tweaks if needed. This ensures that you are always moving forward but extra time can be given to the most difficult topics.

Individual therapy treatment options for addiction

There are various types of individual therapy for addiction, all providing different insights and benefits. Which ones you will receive depend on the programme and centre but some of the most important for recovery include:

  • Cognitive behavioural therapy: CBT helps you figure out which thoughts and actions keep leading you down the same path and how to interrupt the cycle of destructive behaviour.
  • Dialectical behaviour therapy: DBT teaches you to stay present and ride the wave of difficult emotions instead of fighting them or trying to escape them with drugs or alcohol. It focuses on mindfulness, healthy responses to stress and how to communicate better with the people in your life.
  • Motivational interviewing: This approach is great when you’re on the fence about change or when a difficult day in rehab makes you question your strength. It helps you talk it out honestly so you can find your own reasons to keep going.
  • Trauma therapy: If your addiction is connected to painful events or memories from the past, trauma therapy gives you space to slowly work through them. There may be some trauma that can be resolved and some which you will need to manage mindfully. The goal is to bring you to a place where you can face your feelings instead of fearing them.

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The role of individual therapy in preventing addiction relapse

Individual therapy can be a massive part of staying sober long-term. Before you leave rehab, you and your therapist can figure out together what kind of situations or feelings tend to trip you up. From there, you can come up with real, honest ways to change the patterns that no longer serve you.

Some rehab centres offer individual therapy as part of aftercare but this is quite rare. If yours doesn’t, it could be worth asking your rehab therapist to recommend a colleague local to you or even seeing if you can continue sessions together in your own time. That way, there will be no gap in your treatment and you won’t have to start from scratch with a new therapist.

How to find individual therapy for addiction near me

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to turn or just need someone to talk to, Addiction Helper is here to support you. We can walk you through all your options for private individual therapy for addiction so you can find the right one for your recovery. Get in touch with us today for free, professional advice.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is individual therapy offered in NHS rehab programmes?
No, not often. NHS rehab usually offers group therapy rather than individual sessions and if one-to-one help is available, it may only be for short-term or urgent cases. If you want regular, ongoing support from a therapist, you will need to look into private individual therapy for addiction, which is a key part of most private rehab programmes.

Why is individual therapy effective for addiction recovery?
Individual therapy works because it gives you space to talk about difficult or confusing things without pressure and in your own time. A good therapist will help you understand what’s driving your behaviour and how to make changes that feel doable. Over time, it can help you feel more in control and more like yourself again.
How much does individual therapy for addiction cost?
The cost of individual therapy for addiction is usually part of a bigger rehab package, not something you pay for session by session. Private rehab prices vary but if you’re worried about the costs, some centres offer flexible payment options, accept health insurance or can help you find other ways to fund treatment.

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