Quick Overview: Yes. Therapy can focus on understanding patterns in thoughts and behaviors and on discussing changes to patterns described as unhealthy or self-defeating. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes psychotherapy as treatments that aim to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. NIMH also describes becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking, considering their effects on emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that therapy and counseling can help people understand core causes of thoughts and behaviors and change unhealthy patterns. These are general descriptions, not a prediction of an individual experience.
Understanding Patterns in Therapy
NIMH describes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This broad description leaves room for many possible therapy conversations, including conversations about thoughts, behaviors, emotions, or interactions with other people.
SAMHSA similarly states that therapy and counseling can help people understand the core causes of thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns. Neither NIMH nor SAMHSA states that every thought or behavior has one clear cause. The available information also cannot determine what a particular pattern means for one person.
A person may come to therapy with a question about a recurring thought, a behavior they view as unhealthy, an interaction with another person, or a difficulty coping with stress. Those questions can be discussed without assuming an explanation in advance.
Automatic Ways of Thinking Can Be Explored
NIMH describes one possible element of psychotherapy as helping a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful. In its description of cognitive behavioral therapy, NIMH includes questioning those thoughts, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns.
This information supports a general possibility: therapy may involve attention to thoughts that seem to occur automatically and to the connections a person notices among thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It does not establish that a particular thought is inaccurate, harmful, or self-defeating.
Questions that may help organize a conversation include:
- What thoughts do I notice in a difficult situation?
- What emotions or actions do I connect with those thoughts?
- Are there ways of thinking that I experience as unhelpful?
- What would I like to understand about the effects of a thought on my emotions or behavior?
These are reflection questions rather than conclusions about a person or their experiences.
Thoughts, Behaviors, and Interactions May Be Discussed
NIMH includes changing self-defeating behavior patterns among possible elements of psychotherapy. SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling can include changing unhealthy patterns. These statements support discussing thoughts and behaviors that a person identifies as troubling, unhealthy, or self-defeating.
NIMH also lists other possible psychotherapy elements. These include identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, teaching social and communication skills, tracking emotions and behaviors, using mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and using supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
These are examples of possible elements, not a required sequence or a description of every therapy experience. A person can ask which elements, if any, are relevant to the topic they want to discuss.
What Making Changes Can Mean
The available sources support a limited answer to the question of change. Therapy may include identifying troubling thoughts and behaviors, understanding connections among thoughts, emotions, and behavior, and discussing changes to unhealthy or self-defeating behavior patterns.
The sources do not support a promised result, a set timeline, or one approach for every person. They also do not establish what changes any individual will want, choose, or experience.
NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. According to NIMH, the approach used depends on the therapist's training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. This general information does not show which approach applies in a specific situation.
A Consultation Can Clarify the Approach
NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH suggests asking about the approach a therapist uses, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base for the approach, therapy goals, and how progress may be assessed.
A consultation can be a place to ask plain questions about a recurring thought or behavior. It can also be a place to ask what the therapist means when they use terms such as goals, progress, or approach.
Reflection Questions for Naming What You Notice
| Reflection question | Question you might bring forward |
|---|---|
| What thought, emotion, behavior, or interaction do I notice repeating? | How might this topic be discussed in therapy? |
| What situations do I connect with the thought or behavior? | What information would be useful to share? |
| What effects do I notice on my emotions or behavior? | Could we discuss those connections? |
| Is my question about thoughts, behaviors, coping, or interactions? | Which therapy elements may relate to this topic? |
| What do I want to understand about an approach? | How are goals and progress discussed? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- I have noticed a recurring thought or behavior. How do you approach this topic?
- What therapy approach do you use, and what is its rationale or evidence base?
- Do you use one primary approach or elements from multiple approaches?
- What goals might be discussed in therapy?
- How do you assess progress?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan provides in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
FAQs About Therapy for Understanding Patterns
Can therapy include automatic ways of thinking?
Yes. NIMH describes psychotherapy as potentially helping people become aware of automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful and understand how those thoughts affect emotions and behavior. This does not determine what a particular person will notice or discuss.
Can therapy address behavior patterns?
Yes. NIMH includes changing self-defeating behavior patterns among possible psychotherapy elements. SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling can include changing unhealthy patterns.
Do all therapy approaches use the same methods?
The available information does not support that conclusion. NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches, depending on training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the person's needs.
Can general information identify the right approach for me?
No. The available sources do not determine individual fit. A prospective therapist can be asked about their approach, goals, rationale, evidence base, and how progress may be assessed.
Sources and Further Reading
These authoritative resources provide general background for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Types Of Treatment
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to ask about individual therapy at Rooted Integrative Therapy, you can contact Alina Hovsoyan through the connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.