Quick Overview: Yes. You can ask a therapist which approach they use and whether they practice a particular type of therapy. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies both questions as possible parts of a preliminary conversation. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling can take several forms, including family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. The supplied research does not determine which approach will fit a particular person or what outcome to expect.
What a Therapy Approach Can Mean
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. It states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches.
According to NIMH, the approach a therapist uses depends on the therapist’s training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. A therapist’s answer about an approach can therefore describe one part of how treatment may proceed.
SAMHSA lists several forms of therapy and counseling, including family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT. Its list identifies examples of therapy and counseling; it does not state that every therapist practices each form.
Questions About a Therapist’s Stated Approach
NIMH specifically includes these questions for a prospective therapist: “What approach will the therapist use to help you?” and “Do they practice a particular type of therapy?” A preliminary conversation can include these questions.
You can also ask, “What is the rationale for the therapy and its evidence base?” This is another question NIMH identifies for a preliminary conversation. The supplied sources support asking about a therapist’s explanation; they do not provide an answer about a particular therapist’s rationale or evidence base.
Elements That May Be Included in Psychotherapy
NIMH describes several elements that can be included in psychotherapy. These include helping a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, examining how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. NIMH identifies this approach as cognitive behavioral therapy.
Other elements described by NIMH include identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, and teaching social and communication skills. NIMH also describes mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
The source describes supportive counseling as a way to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support. It also states that therapies are often variations of an established approach, such as CBT. These descriptions do not establish what any individual person’s therapy will include.
Preparing for a Preliminary Conversation
NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. The source states that rapport and trust are essential and that discussions in therapy are deeply personal.
NIMH identifies several possible questions for this conversation. Along with questions about approach and therapy type, these include questions about goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, how progress will be assessed, and what may happen if improvement is not occurring.
Questions About Goals and Progress
A therapist may be asked, “What are the goals of therapy?” NIMH also identifies asking how progress will be assessed. These questions can be included alongside questions about approach.
The supplied research notes do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. They support asking questions about approach, rationale, goals, progress, and practical details.
Questions About Practical Details
NIMH recommends asking a prospective therapist about treatment fees, whether the therapist accepts insurance, and whether there is a sliding scale for fees according to income. These are questions to ask directly of the therapist or practice.
A practice may provide its own information about appointments, fees, insurance, or other arrangements. The sources provided for this article do not state which arrangements are available from any particular practice unless the practice facts below specifically identify them.
A Question-Based Reflection Table
Use these questions to note what you would like to ask in a preliminary conversation. This table does not determine which therapist or therapy approach is right for a particular person.
| Reflection question | Notes to consider |
|---|---|
| What would I like to ask about the therapist’s approach? | Note an approach name or a request for a plain explanation. |
| Do I want to ask whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy? | NIMH identifies this as a possible preliminary-conversation question. |
| What would I like to know about the rationale and evidence base? | Write down questions about the therapist’s explanation. |
| What questions do I have about therapy goals? | NIMH identifies goals of therapy as a topic to ask about. |
| What would I like to ask about progress? | Consider asking how progress will be assessed. |
| Which practical details do I need to clarify? | NIMH identifies fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale availability as possible questions. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
If you schedule a consultation call, you may choose questions such as:
- What approach or approaches do you use in individual therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What rationale and evidence base do you describe for that approach?
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How will progress be assessed?
- May I ask about fees, insurance acceptance, or sliding-scale availability?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. The practice lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask about a therapy type by name?
Yes. NIMH says a preliminary conversation can include asking whether a therapist practices a particular type of therapy. SAMHSA lists family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and CBT among examples of therapy and counseling.
Does one approach name describe everything that may happen in therapy?
NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. It also states that therapies are often variations of an established approach.
Can I ask about fees or insurance?
Yes. NIMH identifies treatment fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale availability as questions for a prospective therapist.
Can a preliminary conversation tell me what outcome to expect?
The supplied research notes do not answer what outcome a particular person should expect. They identify questions that may be asked about approach, rationale, goals, progress, and practical details.
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
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Types Of Treatment
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. The practice’s FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.