Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that psychotherapy can include noticing automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful, considering how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. NIMH also lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques as possible elements of psychotherapy. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) describes biofeedback-assisted relaxation as using feedback, usually from an electronic device, to help people recognize and manage body responses. These descriptions identify possible elements; they do not determine what a particular person’s therapy will include.
Noticing Automatic Thoughts in Psychotherapy
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. Within its description of cognitive behavioral therapy, NIMH includes becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful.
NIMH further describes questioning those thoughts, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. This is one possible element within psychotherapy rather than a description of every therapy service.
A general explanation of automatic thoughts cannot show what a particular therapist will discuss or what will be useful in a particular situation. It can, however, provide language for asking how thoughts, emotions, and behavior may be considered in a service.
Questions About Thoughts, Emotions, and Behavior
Someone exploring individual therapy may want to ask how a therapist understands the relationship among automatic thoughts, emotions, and behavior. NIMH includes these connections in its description of cognitive behavioral therapy.
It may also be useful to ask whether a therapist uses one primary approach or incorporates elements from multiple approaches. NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Body Responses and Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation
NCCIH describes biofeedback-assisted relaxation as a relaxation technique. It uses feedback that is usually provided by an electronic device to help a person recognize and manage how their body responds.
According to NCCIH, an electronic device may show changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or muscle tension in response to feeling stressed or relaxed. This description is specific to biofeedback-assisted relaxation. It does not mean that all psychotherapy uses an electronic device or that every conversation about body responses involves biofeedback.
NCCIH also lists other relaxation techniques, including progressive relaxation, guided imagery, breathing exercises, and self-hypnosis. A technique’s name alone does not establish whether it is part of a particular service or how it would be used.
Asking What a Body-Focused Practice Involves
Questions can clarify whether a therapist is referring to biofeedback-assisted relaxation, another relaxation technique, mindfulness, or a different element of psychotherapy. NCCIH’s explanation supports asking what information a device provides when biofeedback-assisted relaxation is being discussed.
A person can also ask whether a service includes any device-based feedback. If so, a clear description can help distinguish that practice from general discussion of body responses, stress, relaxation, or mindfulness.
Mindfulness and Relaxation as Possible Elements
NIMH lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques among possible elements of psychotherapy. It also lists identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, tracking emotions and behaviors, and supportive counseling as possible psychotherapy elements.
These examples do not establish that every therapist uses the same elements. They also do not establish that a named technique will be included in individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or therapy intensives. A consultation can be a place to ask what may be included in the service being considered.
Reflection Questions for a Consultation
The questions below are not a guide to selecting treatment. They are a way to organize a conversation about psychotherapy, automatic thoughts, mindfulness, relaxation, or body responses.
| Reflection question | Question to bring forward |
|---|---|
| What would I like to understand about automatic thoughts? | How do you discuss automatic thoughts, emotions, and behavior? |
| What do I want to know about body responses? | When you refer to body responses, what do you mean? |
| Am I interested in mindfulness or relaxation techniques? | Are mindfulness or relaxation techniques part of the service I am asking about? |
| What do I want to understand about biofeedback-assisted relaxation? | Is biofeedback-assisted relaxation part of this service, and what does it involve? |
| What would help me understand how therapy may proceed? | What approach might you use, and what is the rationale and evidence base for it? |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice states that services are available in person near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is the therapist identified on the practice website.
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the listed contact details or form.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe the approaches or elements you may use in individual therapy?
- How might automatic thoughts, emotions, and behavior be discussed?
- What do you mean by mindfulness or relaxation techniques?
- Is biofeedback-assisted relaxation part of the service I am asking about?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you may use?
- How will I understand how treatment may proceed?
FAQs
Can psychotherapy include automatic thoughts?
Yes. NIMH states that psychotherapy can include becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. This general description does not determine what a particular person’s therapy will include.
Can psychotherapy include mindfulness or relaxation techniques?
NIMH lists mindfulness and relaxation techniques as possible elements of psychotherapy. Whether either is part of a particular service is a question for the therapist providing that service.
What is biofeedback-assisted relaxation?
NCCIH explains that biofeedback-assisted relaxation uses feedback, usually provided by an electronic device, to help a person recognize and manage body responses. NCCIH gives heart rate, blood pressure, and muscle tension as examples of information a device may show.
Can I ask questions before beginning therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The practice’s Connect page also invites inquiries and appointment requests.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
A Grounded Next Step
If you are exploring individual therapy, Rooted Integrative Therapy invites inquiries and appointment requests through its Connect page. The practice describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
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.