Individual counseling may serve a variety of purposes. People who have psychiatric disorders of all kinds usually enter counseling as part of an integrated treatment plan. Victims of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse may seek individual counseling to help them restore their self esteem. People who have PTSD from a traumatic event or situation, such as seeing combat, often get individual counseling to learn methods of coping with this debilitating condition. Counseling is also an option for substance abusers or people with other habits they would like to break. This type of individual counseling may focus more on behavioral modification than emotional well being. People may also undergo counseling because of grief, work/career issues, to alter life patterns, learn more about themselves, or increase their communicative skills. There are different kinds of individual counselors. Local psychologists sometimes provide counseling. These are highly educated people who have earned a PhD in their field. Psychotherapists may not have a PhD per say, but they usually have training in psychology or related disciplines. Local social workers may offer counseling services or provide referrals to their clients. School counselors assist students with personal and educational problems and also give referrals for extended treatment to those who need it.
