A treatment mode for mental illness in which the psychotherapist
meets with a single patient for private sessions. These sessions usually
last 45 minutes, occur once or twice per week, and involve listening
and talking to each other about what is bothering the patient. Together,
the therapist and patient decide what they feel to be the patient's
problems, and what would be the best way to deal with these matters.
Periodically they will assess the effects of their work to decide
if it is accomplishing their treatment goals, and to further focus
their discussions. Individual therapists have usually graduated from
a specialty training program in psychiatry, psychology, or social
work.