Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from more than one therapy approach. It says this can depend on the therapist’s training and experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving care. This general information does not determine what approach fits a particular person or what results to expect. A consultation can be an opportunity to ask how a therapist describes their approach and services.
What the Available Information Says About Therapy Approaches
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 notes that therapists may use a primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches.
The approach a therapist uses may depend on training, experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. The presence of more than one therapy approach is therefore possible. It does not establish what a particular therapist will use in a particular situation.
Elements That May Appear in Psychotherapy
The National Institute of Mental Health lists several elements that may be part of psychotherapy. These include examining automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful; identifying ways to cope with stress; developing problem-solving strategies; examining interactions with others; teaching social and communication skills; using mindfulness or relaxation techniques; tracking emotions and behaviors; and using supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
The source describes cognitive behavioral therapy as an approach that can involve becoming aware of inaccurate or harmful automatic thoughts, questioning those thoughts, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. It describes exposure therapy as a type of cognitive behavioral therapy used for anxiety disorders. In that description, a person spends brief periods in a supportive environment learning to tolerate distress related to certain items, ideas, or imagined scenes.
These examples describe information from the source. They are not a list of services every therapist provides, and they do not indicate what any person should choose.
What an Approach Name Can Clarify
An approach name may be a starting point for questions, rather than a complete description of care. The available information does not identify which elements a specific therapist will use with a specific person. It also does not establish that using one approach or incorporating elements from multiple approaches will produce a particular result.
The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking a prospective therapist what approach they use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and what the rationale and evidence base are for the therapy being discussed. It also suggests asking about goals of therapy, how progress will be assessed, and what may happen if improvement is not occurring.
Therapy and Counseling Among Types of Care
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identifies therapy and counseling as one type of care. Its information states that there are many types of therapy and counseling. It says therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy coping skills, including in relation to the loss of a loved one, drug or alcohol use, or a relationship problem.
The same organization states that a person may need more than one type of treatment. This general statement does not determine whether a particular person needs therapy and counseling, medication, a support group, or another type of care. Questions about personal circumstances can be discussed with a mental-health professional.
Questions for Understanding a Therapist’s Approach
The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation may help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. It identifies rapport and trust as essential and notes that discussions in therapy are deeply personal.
Its suggested questions include asking about a therapist’s specialty, approach, experience with a specific condition or age group, goals of therapy, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, and how progress will be assessed. These are possible questions for a conversation, not requirements for every consultation.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers 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.
A Reflection Table for Considering Questions
This table offers questions that may help organize a consultation or inquiry. It does not determine what service or approach is appropriate for any person.
| Reflection question | Question to explore |
|---|---|
| What am I hoping to understand? | What services does the practice offer, and which service am I asking about? |
| Which approach names have I encountered? | What does the therapist mean by those names? |
| What would I like to know about the therapist’s approach? | Does the therapist use a primary approach, incorporate elements from multiple approaches, or both? |
| What questions do I have about the process? | How does the therapist describe how treatment may proceed? |
| What information would help me consider fit? | What can the therapist share about training, experience, and approach? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- Do you use a primary approach, incorporate elements from multiple approaches, or both?
- What approach or approaches do you practice?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you are discussing?
- How would you describe how treatment may proceed?
- How do you assess progress in therapy?
- Which Rooted Integrative Therapy service should I ask about if I am considering individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, or therapy intensives?
Rooted Integrative Therapy Information
Rooted Integrative Therapy provides individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is identified on the practice’s About page.
The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the contact details or form on that page. The practice’s FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
Can More Than One Therapy Approach Be Part of Care?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use a primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. It says this may depend on training, experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Does More Than One Approach Mean Every Approach Will Be Used?
No conclusion about a particular person’s care can be drawn from this general information. The available information does not identify which approaches or elements a therapist will use in a specific situation.
Can Therapy and Counseling Be One Type of Care Among Others?
Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identifies therapy and counseling as one type of care and states that a person may need more than one type of treatment. This does not determine what any individual needs.
FAQs
Does Reading About Therapy Approaches Determine What Care I Need?
No. The available information does not determine what approach, service, or type of care fits a particular person. You may ask a mental-health professional questions about approaches and services.
What Can I Ask if I Am Unsure About Discussing a Topic?
You may ask how a therapist describes the approach they use, how treatment may proceed, what goals are being discussed, and how progress may be assessed. The available information does not establish what will be discussed in any particular care setting.
Can General Information Predict What Will Happen in Therapy?
No. The research notes state that general information about approaches does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
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 would like to ask about services or a consultation call, visit Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page. 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.