A Clear Answer: Names Can Describe Different Types of Therapy and Counseling
Quick Overview: Yes. Different names can describe different types of therapy and counseling. The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy as common names used for therapy and counseling. These names identify different terms used in mental-health care, but the supplied information does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
Searching for support can bring many terms into view at once. A person may encounter psychotherapy, talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, art therapy, or family and marriage therapy. The presence of several names does not mean that a reader must understand every term before asking a question.
The available information supports a clear boundary: a therapy or counseling name can identify a term used in care, but it cannot determine what fits one individual. Questions about an approach, a service, or a consultation can help clarify what information is available from a particular practice.
What the Available Sources Say About Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy includes a variety of treatments
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatments. The organization describes psychotherapy as aiming to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
The same source states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the approach used can depend on a therapist’s training and experience and on the disorder being treated.
This description explains why more than one therapy approach name may appear in mental-health information. It does not establish which approach, if any, is appropriate for a particular reader.
Many therapies are variations of established approaches
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that many therapies are variations of established approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy. Its description of cognitive behavioral therapy includes becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, questioning those thoughts, understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns.
The source also describes other possible elements of psychotherapy, including coping with stress, problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, social and communication skills, mindfulness and relaxation techniques, exposure therapy for anxiety disorders, tracking emotions and behaviors, and supportive counseling.
These are examples presented by the source, not a list of elements that applies to every therapy service or every person.
Common names can point to different types of care
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that there are many types of therapy and counseling. It lists family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy as common names used for therapy and counseling.
That list shows that different names are used within therapy and counseling. It does not rank these names, compare them, or determine whether one name is a better match than another for an individual reader.
What a Name Does Not Answer
A name does not determine personal fit or outcomes
The research notes state that the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. A name such as cognitive behavioral therapy or art therapy is therefore not an answer to whether a particular service will fit a person’s circumstances.
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends a preliminary conversation with a possible therapist to understand how treatment will proceed and whether the person feels comfortable with the therapist. The source states that rapport and trust are essential and that discussions in therapy are deeply personal.
A name does not replace questions about an approach
The National Institute of Mental Health offers examples of questions for a prospective therapist, including whether the therapist has a specialty, what approach the therapist will use, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, and what the rationale and evidence base are for that therapy.
These questions do not require a person to make assumptions from a therapy name. They can instead focus attention on the information a therapist can provide about an approach and how treatment may proceed.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives among its services. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Reflection Questions for Sorting Through Names
Questions can clarify what information you want
The following table is not a comparison of psychotherapy types. It offers questions that can be used to identify what you would like to learn from a practice or during a consultation.
| Reflection question | Question to ask a practice |
|---|---|
| Which therapy or counseling names have I encountered? | “What does this name refer to in your practice?” |
| Am I looking at a therapy approach name or a listed service? | “Is this a therapy approach, a service, or both?” |
| What would I like to understand about how treatment proceeds? | “What information can you share about how treatment would proceed?” |
| What questions do I have about a therapist’s approach? | “What approach do you use, and what is its rationale and evidence base?” |
| What information would help me consider fit? | “What questions are welcome during a consultation call?” |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Questions about names, services, and fit
- What types of therapy and counseling services does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer?
- I saw a therapy approach name. What does that name refer to in your practice?
- What approach do you use?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for that approach?
- What information can you share about how treatment will proceed?
- What questions can I ask as I consider fit?
FAQs
Are psychotherapy and talk therapy different terms?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy is also called talk therapy. It describes psychotherapy as a variety of treatments.
Why might I see several therapy approach names?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy includes a variety of treatments and that many therapies are variations of established approaches. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration lists family and marriage therapy, motivational therapy, art therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy as common names used for therapy and counseling.
Does a therapy name tell me what will fit my circumstances?
No. The supplied research notes state that these sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. A consultation call can offer an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
What services does Rooted Integrative Therapy list?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
Can I make an inquiry or appointment request?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
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
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Types Of Treatment
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to ask questions about Rooted Integrative Therapy, Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. The practice’s FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. You can submit an inquiry or appointment request through the Connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.