Quick Overview: Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes psychotherapy as treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. NIMH also lists awareness of automatic inaccurate or harmful thinking, understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns as possible elements of psychotherapy. These sources describe broad possibilities, not what any one person’s therapy will include or accomplish.
What SAMHSA Says About Exploring Patterns
SAMHSA states that there are many types of therapy and counseling. It describes therapy and counseling as usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope with concerns such as the loss of a loved one, drug or alcohol use, or a problem in a relationship.
SAMHSA also states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns. This directly supports the idea that exploring reasons behind thoughts and behaviors can be part of therapy or counseling.
The source uses the phrase “the core cause,” but it does not identify a core cause for any particular person. It also does not say that every type of therapy or counseling follows the same process, includes the same topics, or leads to the same result.
SAMHSA Names Several Types of Therapy and Counseling
SAMHSA names family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) among common names people may see. Its discussion makes clear that therapy and counseling include many types of care.
SAMHSA does not state that these named approaches all use the same elements. Its broad description of therapy and counseling should not be read as a description of every approach or of an individual experience.
“Unhealthy Patterns” Is SAMHSA’s Language
SAMHSA connects better understanding the core cause of thoughts and behaviors with changing unhealthy patterns. The source does not define every repeated thought or behavior as unhealthy, and it does not determine whether a particular pattern fits that description.
A person considering therapy may have questions about recurring thoughts or behaviors without assuming that a source can explain their meaning or cause. Those questions can be part of a conversation about whether a particular therapy service is a fit.
What NIMH Says About 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. NIMH states that psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options.
NIMH describes possible elements of psychotherapy rather than a single required structure. It states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Automatic Thinking May Be Explored in Psychotherapy
NIMH lists becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful as a possible element of psychotherapy. It gives having a low opinion of one’s abilities as an example.
NIMH also includes questioning those thoughts and understanding how they affect emotions and behavior. These elements appear in NIMH’s description of CBT. The source does not say that every automatic thought is inaccurate or harmful, or that every psychotherapy approach uses these elements.
Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors Can Be Considered Together
NIMH includes understanding how automatic thoughts affect emotions and behavior as a possible psychotherapy element. It also lists tracking emotions and behaviors to raise awareness of their impact on each other.
These descriptions identify relationships that psychotherapy may examine. They do not provide one explanation for every thought, emotion, or behavior. NIMH also lists supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support among possible psychotherapy elements.
Self-Defeating Patterns Are a Possible Focus
NIMH lists changing self-defeating behavior patterns as a possible element of psychotherapy. In its discussion of psychotherapy and other treatment options, NIMH also names self-defeating ways of thinking as an issue psychotherapy can address.
“Self-defeating behavior patterns” is NIMH’s phrase. The source does not apply that phrase to every repeated behavior or determine whether a particular behavior belongs in that category.
Reflection Questions Grounded in the Source Topics
The questions below use topics named by SAMHSA and NIMH. They are for reflection and do not identify the cause or meaning of a person’s experiences.
| Reflection question | Related source topic |
|---|---|
| What troubling thought, emotion, or behavior would I want to describe? | NIMH describes troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. |
| Do any thoughts seem automatic, inaccurate, or harmful? | NIMH lists awareness of automatic inaccurate or harmful thinking. |
| What effects do I notice between thoughts, emotions, and behavior? | NIMH includes understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behavior. |
| What emotions and behaviors do I notice together? | NIMH lists tracking emotions and behaviors to raise awareness of their impact on each other. |
| What questions do I have about the core cause of my thoughts and behaviors? | SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors. |
| What questions do I have about a self-defeating behavior pattern? | NIMH lists changing self-defeating behavior patterns as a possible psychotherapy element. |
Reflection Can Clarify What You Want to Ask
SAMHSA names thoughts, behaviors, unhealthy patterns, and the core cause of thoughts and behaviors. NIMH names troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors; automatic inaccurate or harmful thinking; and self-defeating behavior patterns.
These topics can provide language for questions about exploring unhelpful patterns in therapy. They do not establish why a particular pattern occurs, what approach will be used, or what will happen in therapy.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives among its services. The practice lists Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. Rooted Integrative Therapy states that it offers in-person care near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What information can you share about individual therapy at Rooted Integrative Therapy?
- What approach do you use when discussing automatic thoughts, emotions, and behaviors?
- How do you describe the role of behavior patterns in individual therapy?
- What questions can I ask during a consultation call to consider fit?
- How can I request an appointment through the Connect page?
A Consultation Call Is Described as a First Step
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 using its contact details or form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can therapy include exploring the reasons behind unhelpful patterns?
Yes. SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
Can automatic thoughts be discussed in psychotherapy?
Yes. NIMH lists awareness of automatic inaccurate or harmful thinking, questioning those thoughts, and understanding their effects on emotions and behavior as possible psychotherapy elements.
Can psychotherapy address behavior patterns?
NIMH lists changing self-defeating behavior patterns as a possible element of psychotherapy.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy say about consultation calls?
Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Where does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer care?
The practice states that it offers in-person care near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Types Of Treatment
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
To ask about individual therapy, Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. 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.
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.