Quick Overview: You can ask a therapist about an approach’s rationale and its evidence base. The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can include both questions. You can also ask what the available research does and does not address. Research information does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. For mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that it combines mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy and notes that findings can be difficult to interpret when practices and study quality vary.
Ask Directly About Rationale and Evidence
The National Institute of Mental Health 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. Its information on preliminary conversations includes asking what approach a therapist will use, the rationale for the therapy, and its evidence base.
You can ask the approved question plainly: “What can I ask about the evidence behind a therapy approach?” A direct answer is: ask what the approach is, what rationale is being discussed, what research is being referenced, and what that research does not establish for you as an individual.
The National Institute of Mental Health also notes that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches, depending on their training, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. That information may be relevant when you ask what approach is being considered.
Questions about the approach itself
Questions can stay close to the information identified by the National Institute of Mental Health:
- What approach are you considering?
- What is the rationale for this therapy approach?
- What is its evidence base?
- Is one primary approach being discussed, or are elements from multiple approaches being considered?
- What goals of therapy are being discussed?
- How would progress be assessed?
The National Institute of Mental Health lists these subjects among questions that may be raised in a preliminary conversation. Its source does not determine which approach fits a particular reader or what result that reader will have.
Questions about the evidence base
An evidence-base question can be stated without asking research to provide more than it can establish. For example:
- What research are you referring to when you describe this approach?
- What was studied?
- What does that research suggest?
- What limits should be kept in mind when reading those findings?
- Does the research describe a specific approach, or a broader group of approaches?
- What does this information not determine about my circumstances?
These are questions for discussion. The supplied research information does not establish a personal outcome, a personal fit decision, or a prediction for an individual reader.
Keep Research Claims Within Their Scope
Research summaries can include both findings and limits. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that studies of meditation and mindfulness have examined different practices and that effects can be difficult to measure. It states that results have been difficult to analyze and may have been interpreted too optimistically.
That limitation matters when mindfulness or meditation is part of a discussion about a therapy approach. A research summary may identify what was examined, but the available source does not determine what will happen for a particular person.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that many psychotherapies have been studied and that, for many therapies, research involving large numbers of patients has provided evidence that a treatment is effective. It also states that treatment may be tailored to a specific disorder. Those general statements do not answer whether a particular approach is suitable for an individual reader.
Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as an example
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy integrates mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy. This is a description of the approach, not a statement about an individual result.
The same organization says that research findings on mindfulness may be difficult to interpret when the practices used and the quality of studies vary. Questions that remain within that scope include:
- What does mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combine?
- Which mindfulness practices are being discussed?
- Which aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy are being discussed?
- What variation in practices or study quality should be considered when reviewing findings?
- What conclusions would go beyond the available research information?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also states that few studies have examined meditation and mindfulness practices for potentially harmful effects, so definite statements about safety are not possible from that information. If safety is part of your question, ask what information is being relied on and what remains uncertain.
Reflection Questions Before a Conversation
Use the questions below to record the information you want to ask about. The table does not supply answers; it is a place to identify your own questions.
| Question for reflection | Notes |
|---|---|
| What therapy approach do I want explained? | |
| What do I understand about the rationale so far? | |
| What do I want to ask about the evidence base? | |
| What research limits do I want named directly? | |
| What do I want to know about how progress would be assessed? | |
| What question about mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, if relevant, do I want to ask? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions to bring may include:
- What approach would you discuss in relation to the concerns I raise?
- What is the rationale for that approach?
- What can you tell me about its evidence base?
- What does the available research not establish for an individual reader?
- How would progress be assessed?
- If mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is discussed, what does that term mean in this conversation?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. The practice lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
Rooted Integrative Therapy states that it offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. The Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask about a therapy approach’s rationale and evidence base?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can include asking about an approach’s rationale and evidence base.
Does research determine whether an approach will fit me?
No. The research notes state that the cited information does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
What is mindfulness-based cognitive therapy?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy combines mindfulness practices with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Why might mindfulness research be difficult to interpret?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health notes that practices and study quality can vary, making findings difficult to interpret.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy describe as the first step?
Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to make an inquiry or request an appointment, Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page provides contact details and a form.
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.