What Individual Therapy Is and How It Works at Cynefin Therapy
People come to individual therapy for many different reasons. For some there is a particular event or change in their life. For others it is something harder to put into words, such as a pattern that keeps coming back or a sense of not quite understanding their own reactions. This article explains what individual therapy at Cynefin Therapy involves, how the work tends to unfold and what to expect if you are thinking about starting.
What is individual therapy?
Individual therapy is regular one-to-one time with a therapist, usually at the same time each week. It is a space to talk about whatever feels important to you, at your own pace, with someone whose role is to listen closely and think with you about what you bring.
At Cynefin Therapy, our individual therapy is psychodynamic in its approach. That means paying attention not only to what is happening now, but to how earlier experiences and relationships may be shaping the way you think, feel and relate to others today. The aim is not for the therapist to explain your life to you. It is to offer a space in which you might become curious about your own experience and discover what it means for you.
Patterns that repeat
Psychodynamic therapy pays particular attention to repetition. A pattern you notice repeating in your relationships. A reaction that seems bigger than the moment that sparked it. A version of yourself you keep bumping into and don’t quite understand.
These patterns may be connected to earlier experiences, relationships or ways of coping that once made sense, and often there is more than one thread involved. Therapy offers a place to notice them as they come up, including in the relationship with your therapist, and to wonder about them together rather than rushing to explain them.
Over time, speaking with a therapist in this way may help you understand yourself more clearly, recognise patterns earlier and find more room to respond differently. It is not a quick process, and it rarely follows a straight line.
What might bring someone to individual therapy in Cardiff?
There is no single answer. People come to individual therapy in Cardiff and online with anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, a sense of being stuck, or questions about who they are and how they relate to others. Some arrive with something specific. Others arrive with something they cannot yet name.
You don’t need a clear explanation of what is going on before you start. Working out what you want to explore is often part of the work itself.
For some people, questions about intimacy, sex or their relationship with their own body are part of the picture. If that applies to you, you might also want to read about our psychosexual therapy service.
How the work usually begins
New clients at Cynefin Therapy start with an initial assessment with Nina, our Clinical Assessor. This is a chance to talk about what has brought you to therapy and what you are looking for, so that we can match you with a therapist who suits your needs.
The early sessions with your therapist are usually about getting to know each other and finding a way of working together. Therapy tends to deepen gradually, and what feels important can change as the work goes on.
What makes Cynefin Therapy different?
Cynefin Therapy offers affordable individual therapy in Cardiff and online. Sessions are delivered by trainee therapists in the final stages of their training, working under clinical supervision. This allows us to offer therapy at a lower cost than many private practices, because we believe cost should not be the thing that stops someone from accessing support.
Individual therapy is available in person at our practice in Cardiff, or online, depending on what works for your life. If you would like to find out more, you are welcome to get in touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many individual therapy sessions will I need?
There is no set number. Psychodynamic work is often open-ended, and the length of therapy depends on what you want to explore and how the work develops. It is something you can talk about with your therapist as you go.
Is individual therapy available online as well as in Cardiff?
Yes. Individual therapy at Cynefin Therapy is available in person in Cardiff and online, so you can choose the format that suits your circumstances.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can contact Cynefin Therapy directly, and the first step is an initial assessment with Nina, our Clinical Assessor.
What if I’m not sure what I want to talk about?
You don’t need to know in advance. Some people begin with only a general sense that something isn’t right. Your therapist will work with you to explore what feels most important, at a pace that suits you.
Is individual therapy affordable at Cynefin?
Our fees are lower than many private practices because sessions are delivered by trainee therapists in the final stages of their training, working under supervision. Current fees are shown on our individual therapy page.