Quick Overview: Yes. When choosing individual therapy, you can consider whether a therapist accepts your insurance plan and whether you feel comfortable with the therapist. The National Institute of Mental Health says people can ask whether a prospective therapist accepts their insurance plan and states that rapport and trust are essential. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises looking for support that accepts insurance and includes qualities important to you, including a professional or program you could open up to.
Considering Therapy Coverage
The National Institute of Mental Health identifies several practical questions for a prospective therapist. These include questions about treatment fees, whether the therapist accepts insurance, and whether there is a sliding scale for fees according to income. The organization also notes that a health insurance provider may have a list of mental-health professionals participating in a plan.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration similarly advises people to look for support that accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services. Its guidance also includes looking for a professional, program, or support group that is taking new patients and has open appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule.
Coverage Questions to Ask Directly
A question about insurance acceptance is one question listed by the National Institute of Mental Health. Questions about fees and a sliding scale are also included in its guidance. You may also ask a prospective therapist about the approach they use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that approach.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It states that the approach a therapist uses depends on training and experience and the concern being addressed.
Considering Personal Comfort
The National Institute of Mental Health states that rapport and trust are essential. It also says that discussions in therapy are deeply personal and that it is important to feel comfortable with a therapist and have confidence in their expertise.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. The organization notes that these conversations may happen in person, by phone, or virtually.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises looking for qualities that are important to you. It also states that a person may look for a professional or program they could open up to while working with them. Its guidance notes that a perfect match may not be found right away and that relationships take time to build.
Topics for a Preliminary Conversation
The National Institute of Mental Health lists questions that may be discussed with a prospective therapist. These include asking about a therapist’s specialty, the approach they use, and whether they practice a particular type of therapy. Other listed questions include the goals of therapy, whether the therapist recommends a time frame or number of sessions, how progress will be assessed, and what happens if you or the therapist feel that improvement is not occurring.
These are questions identified by the National Institute of Mental Health for discussion with a prospective therapist.
A Question-Based Reflection Table
The table below brings together questions identified in guidance from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
| Area | Questions for reflection or discussion |
|---|---|
| Coverage and fees | Does the therapist accept my insurance plan? What are the treatment fees? Is there a sliding scale for fees according to income? |
| Availability | Is the therapist taking new patients? Are there open appointments that fit my schedule? |
| Approach | What approach does the therapist use? Do they practice a particular type of therapy? What is the rationale and evidence base for that approach? |
| Comfort | After a preliminary conversation, do I feel comfortable with the therapist? Do rapport and trust matter to me? |
| Personal priorities | What qualities are important to me? Could I open up to this professional or program? |
Questions About Information and Priorities
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration includes insurance acceptance, open appointments, schedule, and qualities important to the person seeking support in its guidance. The National Institute of Mental Health includes insurance acceptance, fees, therapeutic approach, rapport, trust, and comfort with a therapist among its discussion topics.
A preliminary conversation is one setting the National Institute of Mental Health identifies for understanding how treatment will proceed and considering whether you feel comfortable with a therapist.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the 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
- Do you accept my insurance plan?
- What are your treatment fees?
- What approach do you use in individual therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for your approach?
- What does Rooted Integrative Therapy describe as the purpose of a consultation call?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask whether a therapist accepts my insurance plan?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says people can ask a prospective therapist whether the therapist accepts their insurance plan. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also advises looking for support that accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services.
Is personal comfort relevant when choosing individual therapy?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that rapport and trust are essential and that it is important to feel comfortable with a therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises looking for qualities important to you, including a professional or program you could open up to.
What may a preliminary conversation cover?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. The organization lists questions about specialty, approach, goals of therapy, time frame, progress assessment, and what happens if improvement is not occurring.
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.
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: Health Care Or Support
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to contact Rooted Integrative Therapy, its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. Its FAQs describe 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.