Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, may use one approach or elements from multiple approaches. These elements can include cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes cognitive behavioral therapy as examining automatic thoughts that may be inaccurate or harmful. It describes relaxation techniques as practices that can help bring about a relaxation response. Whether these talk therapy techniques are part of a particular therapy service is a direct question for the therapist or practice.
Talk Therapy Can Include More Than One Element
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 notes that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches.
This means that “talk therapy techniques” does not name one fixed method. The National Institute of Mental Health includes cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques among possible elements of psychotherapy. Its description does not mean that every therapist uses each element, that every session includes them, or that they are part of every service.
The same organization states that a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how treatment may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. It suggests asking about the approach, the rationale for it, and its evidence base.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Automatic Thoughts
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes cognitive behavioral therapy, often called CBT, as a type of psychological treatment that helps a person become aware of ways of thinking that may be automatic but inaccurate and harmful. According to this description, CBT involves efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavioral patterns as well.
The National Institute of Mental Health similarly describes CBT as helping a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, question those thoughts, understand how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and change self-defeating behavior patterns.
These descriptions explain how the two organizations characterize CBT. They do not establish whether CBT will be part of a particular person’s therapy. A useful consultation question is: “How do you describe CBT and its attention to automatic thoughts?”
Relaxation Practices and the Relaxation Response
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes relaxation techniques as practices that can help bring about the body’s relaxation response. It characterizes that response by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate.
The organization lists several types of relaxation techniques. Progressive relaxation involves tensing different muscles and then releasing the tension. Guided imagery involves picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in the body. Breathing exercises may involve focusing on slow, deep breaths. Other examples listed by the organization include autogenic training, biofeedback-assisted relaxation, and self-hypnosis.
The National Institute of Mental Health names mindfulness and relaxation techniques as possible elements of psychotherapy. That general description does not identify which practice, if any, a therapist may discuss or use. Asking what a therapist means by “relaxation techniques” can clarify the approach being considered.
How Thought-Focused and Relaxation Practices Relate
The available sources describe CBT and relaxation techniques in different ways. CBT is described in relation to automatic thoughts and efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavior patterns. Relaxation techniques are described in relation to bringing about a relaxation response.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may incorporate elements from multiple approaches. This supports a plain answer to the approved question: talk therapy can include attention to automatic thoughts alongside mindfulness or relaxation techniques. It does not establish that these elements must be combined, that they will be combined in a particular therapy service, or what approach will fit a particular circumstance.
Reflection Questions Before a Consultation
| Reflection question | Question to bring forward |
|---|---|
| What would I like to understand about automatic thoughts? | How do you explain CBT and its attention to automatic thoughts? |
| What does “relaxation” mean to me in this context? | Do you discuss relaxation techniques, and how do you describe them? |
| Am I interested in mindfulness as part of psychotherapy? | What do you mean by mindfulness as an element of therapy? |
| What information would clarify the approach? | What is the rationale for the approach and its evidence base? |
| What would I like to know about proceeding? | How would treatment proceed, and how is fit considered? |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Rooted Integrative Therapy is the practice of Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. Questions about cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, or relaxation practices can be raised during a consultation call when considering individual therapy or another listed service.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe the approaches used in individual therapy?
- Is cognitive behavioral therapy part of your work, and how do you explain it?
- Do relaxation techniques come up in therapy, and what do you mean by that term?
- How do you describe mindfulness as a possible element of psychotherapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you are discussing?
FAQs
Can talk therapy include both thought-focused and relaxation techniques?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may use one approach or elements from multiple approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques. Whether a particular therapist includes these elements is a direct question to ask.
What does CBT focus on?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes CBT as helping a person become aware of automatic thinking that may be inaccurate and harmful. It says CBT involves efforts to change thinking patterns and usually behavioral patterns.
What are relaxation techniques?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes them as practices that can help bring about the relaxation response. Its examples include progressive relaxation, guided imagery, biofeedback-assisted relaxation, self-hypnosis, and breathing exercises.
What is a consultation call with Rooted Integrative Therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
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
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the practice’s contact details or form. A consultation call is the stated first step for asking questions and considering fit.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.