Individual Therapy
Introduction
Most people come to individual therapy with something specific weighing on them — anxiety that will not quiet down, a low mood that keeps returning, the after-effects of something that happened to them, a loss, or a transition they did not choose. Sometimes the problem is harder to name: a pattern that keeps repeating, or a sense that life is smaller than it should be. Individual therapy is a private, structured place to understand what is actually going on and to change it, rather than simply cope with it.
The work is one-to-one and built around your goals. You set the direction; your therapist brings the training, the perspective of someone outside your daily life, and an honest read on the patterns that are hard to see from inside them.
My approach
I work collaboratively and at a pace that fits where you are. Therapy here is a conversation with a purpose, not a lecture and not a passive listening exercise: you will be an active participant, in the session and between sessions, because that is where the change takes hold.
My work is also trauma-informed. As a Certified EMDR Therapist, I pay close attention to how earlier experiences shape present reactions — why a particular situation hits harder than it should, or why a belief about yourself formed years ago still runs your decisions. When trauma is part of what you are carrying, EMDR can become part of the individual work when the time is right; when it is not, we work with the approaches that fit the problem in front of us.
What sessions involve
The first session is mostly about understanding: what brings you in, the relevant history, and what you want to be different. From there, sessions are a mix of working on the immediate problem, building skills for handling stress, anxiety, and mood, and examining the patterns underneath — in relationships, in work, and in how you talk to yourself.
Sessions are 50 minutes, typically weekly at the start, with the spacing adjusted as the work allows. Therapy can be short-term, focusing on a specific issue, or longer-term, addressing more complex issues or ongoing personal growth; we will talk openly about which fits your situation and revisit that as things change. Between sessions, it helps to process what has been discussed and integrate it into your life.
Who individual therapy can help
People come to individual therapy for many reasons, including:
Anxiety, worry, and chronic stress
Depression, low mood, and loss of motivation
The effects of trauma and PTSD, including experiences that still feel present
Grief and loss
Life transitions — career changes, divorce, relocation, and new stages of life
Relationship difficulties, including patterns that keep repeating
Long-standing habits and ways of coping that no longer serve you
What individual therapy is not
Therapy is not advice on demand, and it is not a quick fix. Your therapist will not make your decisions for you, and no therapy can guarantee a particular result; progress is real but rarely linear, and difficult stretches are a normal part of the work rather than a sign it is failing. It is also not a crisis service — if you are in danger or crisis, use the emergency information at the bottom of this page. Part of the free consultation is an honest conversation about whether individual therapy fits what you are dealing with right now.
Your therapist
Parke Smith, MS, LPC, NCC, is a Certified EMDR Therapist who has been working as a counselor since 2008. He works with individuals, couples, trauma survivors, and executives, and serves clients in Charleston and Greenville, South Carolina, and throughout Michigan.
Getting started
Individual therapy sessions are 50 minutes, $150. The practice is private pay and does not bill insurance; a sliding scale is available as needed. Start with a free 15-minute phone consultation — South Carolina clients: 843-564-8210; Michigan clients: 616-401-8282 — or book an appointment online.
Frequently asked questions
What happens in the first session? We talk about what brings you in, the background that matters, and what you want to change. You do not need to have the problem figured out or narrated perfectly — that is the work, and it starts where you are.
How long does therapy take? It depends on what you are working on. A focused issue may take a matter of weeks or a few months; complex or long-standing difficulties take longer. Expect an honest estimate once your therapist knows your situation, not a promise.
Do you take insurance? No. The practice is private pay and does not bill insurance; a sliding scale is available as needed. Fees are discussed plainly up front, so there are no surprises.
Can individual therapy include EMDR? Yes, when trauma is part of the picture and the timing is right. EMDR is one of the approaches available in individual work here, and whether it fits is something you and your therapist decide together.
What if I am not sure therapy is right for me? That is exactly what the free 15-minute consultation is for. If individual therapy is not the best fit, your therapist will say so and talk through the alternatives.
Please do not use this form in an emergency. If you or someone you know is in danger or crisis, call 911 or the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 (call or text), available 24/7.