Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include examining interactions with other people and teaching social and communication skills. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling may focus on a problem in a relationship and can help people understand thoughts and behaviors. These general descriptions do not determine what a particular service, consultation, or therapeutic conversation will include for any person.
Therapy and counseling can involve more than one area of concern. When relationship concerns are part of the reason someone is considering support, they may have questions about interactions with other people, communication skills, thoughts, or behaviors. The available information from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration supports discussing these topics as possible areas of focus.
What the Available Information Says
The National Institute of Mental Health uses the term psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, to describe a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. Its information states that psychotherapy can address problems interacting with other people and difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work.
The same National Institute of Mental Health information lists examining interactions with others and teaching social and communication skills among possible elements of psychotherapy. It also describes other possible elements, including identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, tracking emotions and behaviors, applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that there are many types of therapy and counseling. Its information says that counseling and therapy are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope, including with a problem in a relationship. It also states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors in order to change unhealthy patterns.
These statements describe broad possibilities. They do not establish the focus, approach, or outcome of care for a particular reader.
Interactions as a Possible Topic
Understanding interactions in therapy can mean asking whether interactions with other people may be part of the topic under discussion. The National Institute of Mental Health specifically includes examining interactions with others as a possible element of psychotherapy.
A relationship concern may be one reason a person seeks therapy or counseling. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration includes a problem in a relationship among the concerns that therapy and counseling may address. Someone considering support may therefore ask whether a relationship concern can be discussed alongside thoughts and behaviors.
The available sources do not state that every therapy or counseling service uses the same approach to relationship concerns. They also do not state what any individual conversation will cover. Asking about the focus of a service is one way to obtain information about the support being considered.
Social and Communication Skills
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include teaching social and communication skills. This provides a basis for asking about therapy for communication skills when communication is a topic of interest.
The source does not specify which social or communication skills will be taught in a particular setting. It does not indicate that communication skills are included in every form of psychotherapy. A prospective client can ask whether communication skills are among the topics that may be addressed.
Thoughts and Behaviors
Both source organizations refer to thoughts and behaviors. The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as aiming to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling can help people understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
For someone considering therapy and counseling for relationship concerns, questions about thoughts and behaviors may be relevant to the topic they want to discuss. The available information does not decide which questions, goals, or approach fit a particular person.
Questions for Personal Reflection
The following questions are for general reflection. They are not a way to determine what kind of care a person needs.
| Reflection question | Question to consider bringing forward |
|---|---|
| What relationship concern would I like to ask about? | Can this service include discussion of a problem in a relationship? |
| Am I interested in examining interactions with other people? | How might interactions with others be addressed here? |
| Do I want to ask about social or communication skills? | Are communication skills a topic that may be included? |
| Do thoughts or behaviors feel relevant to my question? | Can I ask how thoughts and behaviors may be discussed? |
| What would I like to understand about the service? | What questions can I ask to consider fit? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- Can I ask about a relationship concern during a consultation?
- Can you describe whether interactions with other people may be a topic in this service?
- Can you explain whether social or communication skills may be included?
- How can I ask questions about the focus of therapy or counseling?
- What is the next step after a consultation call?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives among its services. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy as the therapist.
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
FAQs
Can therapy and counseling include relationship concerns?
Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling may focus on a problem in a relationship. This does not establish what a particular service will include.
Can psychotherapy include looking at interactions with other people?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include examining interactions with other people. Its general information does not determine the content of any individual therapeutic conversation.
Can therapy include communication skills?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include teaching social and communication skills. You can ask whether this topic may be included in the service you are considering.
How can I contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
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
If you are considering therapy and counseling for relationship concerns, Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page provides contact information and an inquiry form. A consultation call is described in the practice FAQs 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.