Quick Overview: Yes. Therapy can include coping skills and problem-solving strategies. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can 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 commonly focus on developing healthy skills to cope and understanding thoughts and behaviors. These descriptions explain what therapy may include; they do not determine what will be included or what will fit for a particular person.
Coping Skills and Problem-Solving in Therapy
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. Among the possible elements it lists are identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration similarly states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. Its examples include handling the loss of a loved one, drug or alcohol use, and a problem in a relationship. It also states that therapy and counseling can help a person better understand thoughts and behaviors in order to change unhealthy patterns.
These are broad descriptions of possibilities in therapy and counseling. They do not mean that every approach uses the same elements or that a particular strategy will be used in every situation.
What Coping Skills May Mean in a Therapy Context
The available information supports a limited answer: psychotherapy can include identifying ways to cope with stress, and therapy and counseling can focus on developing healthy skills to cope.
The National Institute of Mental Health lists other possible elements of psychotherapy, including mindfulness and relaxation techniques such as meditation and breathing exercises, tracking emotions and behaviors, supportive counseling, examining interactions with others, and teaching social and communication skills. It also describes approaches that focus on automatic thoughts and behavior patterns.
The sources do not establish a single definition of coping skills that applies across every therapy approach. They also do not establish which skills a particular therapist may discuss or use.
What Problem-Solving Strategies May Mean in Therapy
The National Institute of Mental Health includes developing problem-solving strategies among possible elements of psychotherapy. This supports the possibility that a therapy conversation may address ways of approaching a problem.
The available information does not specify a required sequence for problem-solving, a standard exercise, or a particular result. It also does not establish that problem-solving strategies will be part of every appointment or every type of therapy.
Rather than assuming what this phrase means in a particular practice, a respectful question can be useful: “How do you approach coping skills and problem-solving strategies in therapy?”
Why Approaches Can Differ
The National Institute of Mental Health states that there are many types of psychotherapy. Therapists may use a primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches, depending on their training, the concerns being addressed, and the needs of the person receiving therapy.
For that reason, general information about therapy coping skills and problem-solving strategies cannot determine personal fit, the structure of therapy, or outcomes. It cannot establish what will happen in a particular appointment, how long a process will take, or whether a specific concern will change.
Reflection Questions Before a Consultation
These questions cannot determine whether therapy or a particular approach is a fit. They can help organize what you may want to ask in an initial conversation.
| Question to reflect on | Notes to bring to a consultation |
|---|---|
| What would I like to ask about coping with stress? | |
| What would I like to ask about problem-solving strategies? | |
| What thoughts or behaviors would I like to understand better? | |
| What questions do I have about a therapist’s approach? | |
| What would I like to know about goals and how progress is assessed? |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice lists Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. It offers 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. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. It suggests asking about the approach used, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, goals, time frame, and how progress will be assessed.
- What approach do you use, and what is the rationale for that approach?
- Can therapy include identifying ways to cope with stress or developing problem-solving strategies?
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How will progress be assessed?
- What happens if I do not feel I am improving?
Questions About Services at Rooted Integrative Therapy
If you are considering individual therapy, you may ask what approach may be discussed during a consultation. The available practice information does not specify which therapy elements, coping skills, or problem-solving strategies may be used in individual therapy.
You may also ask about the practice’s listed access options: in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah. The practice describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can therapy include practical coping skills?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include identifying ways to cope with stress. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling commonly focus on developing healthy skills to cope.
Can therapy include problem-solving strategies?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health lists developing problem-solving strategies as a possible element of psychotherapy. This does not establish that problem-solving will be included in every therapy approach or appointment.
Does every type of therapy include the same elements?
No. The National Institute of Mental Health states that there are many types of psychotherapy and that therapists may use a primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. The sources do not identify one required set of coping skills or problem-solving methods.
Do I need to choose an approach before contacting a practice?
The available information does not provide a universal requirement to choose an approach before making contact. The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and ask questions about the approach, goals, and progress.
Is virtual therapy available through Rooted Integrative Therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists virtual therapy across Utah. It also lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo.
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 individual therapy, coping skills, problem-solving strategies, or the practice’s listed access options, you can request a consultation through Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page. The practice describes 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.