Quick Overview: Yes. When choosing individual therapy, therapy goals and the qualities that matter to you can both guide your choice. The National Institute of Mental Health says a conversation with a possible therapist can include discussing therapy goals and whether you feel comfortable with that therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says people searching for support can look for a professional or program with qualities that are important to them. These sources do not determine fit or outcomes for any individual.
Therapy Goals and Priorities Can Both Be Part of the Search
Choosing individual therapy may involve more than identifying a therapist’s name or service. The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It also notes that therapy goals can include relief from symptoms, maintaining or enhancing daily functioning, and improving quality of life.
A person’s reasons for seeking therapy may vary. The National Institute of Mental Health lists experiences such as long-term stress, loss, relationship or family problems, changes in sleep or appetite, low energy, persistent worry, and discouragement among reasons someone might seek psychotherapy. This article cannot determine whether any of those experiences apply to you or what care may be appropriate.
When this article uses the phrase therapy priorities, it refers to qualities that are important to you during a search. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identifies qualities that are important to a person, insurance or low-cost options, availability, and appointments that fit a person’s schedule as considerations when looking for support.
Discussing Goals With a Possible Therapist
The National Institute of Mental Health says that, after identifying possible therapists, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. That conversation can include questions about the goals of therapy, the therapist’s approach, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, and how progress may be assessed.
The source does not prescribe one set of goals for every person. It also does not determine whether a particular therapist, approach, or service will be suitable for an individual reader. A preliminary conversation is simply one place where goals and questions may be discussed.
Identifying Qualities That Matter to You
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that finding a health care professional or program can take work and that people may look for support with qualities important to them. Its guidance also notes that a person might not find a perfect match right away and may look for a professional or program they could open up to while working with them.
The National Institute of Mental Health similarly states that comfort with a therapist and confidence in their expertise are important. It describes rapport and trust as essential in psychotherapy. These points do not promise that a first conversation will answer every question or predict a particular result.
Reflection Questions for Your Search
The questions below draw on topics named by the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They are prompts for consideration, not a method for determining care or a measure of whether any option is right for you.
| Reflection question | Topic named in the available guidance |
|---|---|
| What goals of therapy would I like to discuss with a possible therapist? | Therapy goals are listed by the National Institute of Mental Health as a topic for a preliminary conversation. |
| What qualities are important to me in a professional or program? | The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says to look for qualities that are important to you. |
| What would I like to ask about the therapist’s approach? | The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking what approach a therapist will use. |
| What questions do I have about fees, insurance, or lower-cost options? | The National Institute of Mental Health identifies fees, insurance, and sliding-scale questions for a prospective therapist. |
| What access or scheduling information do I need? | The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration includes open appointments and a schedule that fits as search considerations. |
| Do I feel comfortable with the therapist during a preliminary conversation? | The National Institute of Mental Health identifies comfort as an important consideration. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
A consultation call may be an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The National Institute of Mental Health lists several questions a person might ask a possible therapist. You could bring questions such as:
- What are the goals of therapy?
- What approach would you use, and what is its rationale and evidence base?
- How would treatment proceed?
- How is progress assessed?
- What are the fees, and do you accept insurance?
- Is the service I am considering available in a way that fits my access needs?
These questions do not require a particular answer. They are drawn from the topics described by the National Institute of Mental Health and from the practical considerations identified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by the practice as the therapist.
The practice offers in-person access near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. This access information does not specify which format is available for each service. If you are considering individual therapy, ask directly whether the service and access option you are seeking are available.
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
FAQs
Can therapy goals and your priorities both guide your choice?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says a preliminary conversation with a possible therapist can include discussing therapy goals and comfort with the therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says people can look for a professional or program with qualities that are important to them.
Do the sources say what my therapy goals should be?
No. The available guidance identifies therapy goals as a topic for discussion, but it does not set goals for an individual person or determine what treatment is appropriate.
What can I ask about a therapist’s approach?
The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking what approach the therapist will use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for the therapy.
Can I ask about scheduling, cost, and insurance?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health includes questions about fees, insurance, and sliding-scale fees. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration includes availability and appointments that fit a person’s schedule among search considerations.
Does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer virtual individual therapy?
The practice states that it offers virtual therapy across Utah, but the available practice information does not specify virtual availability for individual therapy. Ask the practice directly about the service and format you are considering.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Health Care Or Support
A Grounded Next Step
If you are choosing individual therapy, you may use the questions in this article when considering possible therapists or programs. The available guidance supports discussing therapy goals, comfort, approach, costs, insurance, scheduling, and qualities that matter to you. It does not determine a personal fit or clinical outcome.
To ask Rooted Integrative Therapy about a consultation, you can visit the Connect page.
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.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.