Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may include supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support. It may also include identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy coping skills and understanding patterns of thoughts and behaviors. These are possible elements, not a description of what any particular person’s therapy will include or what result it will have.
Understanding the Question
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Within that broad description, emotional support and practical skill building may both be included.
For this article, emotional support refers to the supportive counseling element named by the National Institute of Mental Health. Skill building refers to the possible work of identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also describes therapy and counseling as usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope and understanding patterns of thoughts and behaviors.
These descriptions offer a general framework. They do not establish which elements will be used in a particular therapy relationship, how much attention an element will receive, or whether it will fit a particular person.
Supportive Counseling and Emotional Support
The National Institute of Mental Health lists supportive counseling as a possible element of psychotherapy. In that description, supportive counseling may be used to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
This does not mean supportive counseling is part of every therapy approach. The available sources do not specify which issues will be explored, how emotional support will be offered, or how a particular therapist will structure the work. Those are reasonable topics to ask about directly.
A preliminary conversation with a prospective therapist can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The same source separately suggests asking about the therapist’s approach, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, therapy goals, a recommended time frame, and how progress will be assessed.
Coping Skills and Problem-Solving Strategies
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may include identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies. These are possible elements rather than a required set of activities.
The source also lists other possible elements: examining interactions with others and teaching social and communication skills; applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises; and tracking emotions and behaviors to raise awareness of their impact on each other.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. It also states that therapy and counseling can help a person better understand patterns of thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
Neither source identifies a particular exercise, coping skill, or problem-solving strategy that will be used in individual therapy. A general description cannot answer what a specific therapist will recommend or how treatment will proceed.
How Both Elements May Appear in Psychotherapy
Emotional support and skill building are not presented by the National Institute of Mental Health as mutually exclusive. Supportive counseling, coping with stress, and problem-solving strategies all appear in its list of possible psychotherapy elements.
The National Institute of Mental Health also states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. That statement supports a clear boundary: the presence of one possible element does not confirm the presence of another in a particular therapy relationship.
Rather than assuming a format or outcome, a person can ask whether supportive counseling, coping strategies, or problem-solving are part of the approach being considered. The answer may clarify what treatment may involve without promising a personal result.
Reflection Questions for Considering Priorities
These questions are for reflection. They do not describe what therapy at any particular practice will include.
| Reflection question | Question to consider asking |
|---|---|
| What troubling issues would I want to explore? | How do you describe discussing troubling issues in therapy? |
| What would I like to understand about coping with stress? | How might ways to cope with stress be addressed? |
| What questions do I have about problem-solving strategies? | Are problem-solving strategies part of your approach? |
| What do I want to understand about thoughts, emotions, or behaviors? | How do you discuss these patterns in therapy? |
| What would I want to know about treatment goals and progress? | How do you discuss goals, time frame, and progress? |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by the practice. Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
The practice’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The available practice information does not describe every topic that may be discussed during a consultation call or what individual therapy will include.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe your approach to individual therapy?
- How will treatment proceed?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use?
- How do you discuss therapy goals and progress?
- Do you recommend a particular time frame for therapy?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can individual therapy include emotional support and skill building?
Yes, it may. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may include supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support, along with ways to cope with stress and problem-solving strategies. This does not establish what will occur in a particular therapy relationship.
Are coping skills part of therapy and counseling?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. It does not specify which skills will be used for a particular person.
Can I ask about a therapist’s approach before beginning?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking about a therapist’s approach, its rationale and evidence base, therapy goals, a recommended time frame, and progress assessment. It also states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist.
Does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer individual therapy?
Yes. Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. It also lists couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
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
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. You can contact Rooted Integrative Therapy for information about appointments.
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.