Quick Overview: Yes. When looking for therapy, it can be reasonable to consider both therapists and programs. SAMHSA identifies health care professionals, programs, and support groups as resources people may want to contact, while considering availability and personal priorities. NIMH also states that universities or medical schools may have affiliated programs that offer treatment options, including training clinics. These sources do not determine which resource will fit a particular person or what outcomes any resource will have. A search can begin with the information you want to learn about available options.
Why Therapists and Programs May Both Belong in a Search
SAMHSA states that finding the right health care professional or program can take a lot of work. Its guidance directs readers to find health care professionals, programs, or support groups they may want to reach out to. It also notes that many types of support are available.
This supports considering more than one category of resource during a therapy program search. It does not establish that a therapist, program, or support group is better than another resource. It also does not establish that every resource within a category offers the same services, process, or treatment approach.
A broader search does not require a person to make a comparison before learning more. Instead, it can leave room for questions about what a particular therapist or program identifies as available.
Therapists may be one resource to contact
NIMH explains that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It states that the approach a therapist uses depends on the therapist’s training and experience and the disorder being treated.
After identifying one or more possible therapists, NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH states that these conversations may happen in person, by phone, or virtually.
The source does not state that every therapist offers a preliminary conversation. It also does not establish that a conversation determines personal fit, predicts outcomes, or answers every question a person may have.
Affiliated programs may offer treatment options
NIMH states that universities or medical schools may have affiliated programs that offer treatment options, including training clinics. It suggests searching the website of local university health centers for psychiatry or psychology departments when looking for these programs.
This information establishes that affiliated programs may be among the options encountered while finding therapy options. It does not establish that every university or medical school has such a program, that a program is available in every area, or that a program will meet a particular person’s priorities.
Support groups are another category named by SAMHSA
SAMHSA includes support groups among the resources people may want to contact. The available information does not establish that a support group provides the same service as a therapist or a program.
A respectful question is: What does this resource identify as available, and what information would I want before deciding whether to contact it?
Consider Availability and Personal Priorities
SAMHSA recommends considering availability and personal priorities during a search. Its examples include whether a resource accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services, whether it is taking new patients, whether open appointments or meetings fit a person’s schedule, and whether it includes qualities important to the person searching.
These are search considerations identified by SAMHSA. They do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. They also do not show what any particular therapist, program, or support group will offer.
NIMH identifies additional questions for prospective therapists. These include questions about specialty, treatment approach, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, therapy goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, progress assessment, fees, insurance, and sliding-scale fees according to income.
Those questions are identified by NIMH for prospective therapists. The available materials do not establish that every program or support group uses the same approach, goals, progress assessment, fees, or service structure.
Reflection questions can clarify what information matters
| Reflection question | Question to keep in view |
|---|---|
| Which resources am I open to considering? | Do I want to learn about therapists, programs, support groups, or more than one type of resource? |
| What availability information matters to me? | What would I want to know about new-patient status, appointments or meetings, and schedule? |
| What cost information matters to me? | Do I want to ask about insurance, free or low-cost services, fees, or a sliding scale? |
| Which qualities are important to me? | What personal priorities do I want to consider during my search? |
| What would I want to understand from a prospective therapist? | Would I want to ask about specialty, approach, goals, or progress assessment? |
Keep Comparisons Within the Available Information
The materials for this article do not establish that one type of resource is more effective, more personal, more flexible, or better for a particular person. They do not establish that a recommendation, listing, university affiliation, or organization name predicts fit or outcomes.
SAMHSA and NIMH provide general information about places to search and questions that may be useful. SAMHSA does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. NIMH’s information about affiliated programs does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
When comparing options, a grounded question may be: Does the available information address the availability and personal priorities I want to consider? Another question may be: What does this therapist or program identify about its services, approach, or availability?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy identifies individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives among its services. This practice information does not establish which service is appropriate for any individual.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What services does this resource identify?
- Does this resource accept insurance or offer free or low-cost services?
- Is this resource taking new patients, or does it have open appointments or meetings that fit my schedule?
- If I am speaking with a prospective therapist, what approach do you use, and what is its rationale and evidence base?
- If I am speaking with a prospective therapist, what are the goals of therapy, and how is progress assessed?
FAQs
Do I need to choose only a therapist?
No. SAMHSA identifies health care professionals, programs, and support groups as resources people may want to contact.
Can universities or medical schools have treatment options?
NIMH states that universities or medical schools may have affiliated programs offering treatment options, including training clinics.
Can I assume a therapist and a program provide the same support?
No. The available information does not establish that different resource types provide the same service structure, approach, or process.
What can I ask a prospective therapist?
NIMH suggests asking about specialty, approach, rationale and evidence base, goals, recommended time frame or number of sessions, progress assessment, fees, insurance, and sliding-scale fees according to income.
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.
Sources and Further Reading
These authoritative resources provide general background for this article:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Health Care Or Support
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy is the practice of Alina Hovsoyan. It offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice offers in-person services near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
To learn more, visit the Rooted Integrative Therapy connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.