Choosing a therapist can involve both practical questions and questions about the therapeutic relationship. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) suggests looking for a professional or program you could open up to, while noting that connection can take time to build. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) identifies rapport and trust as important in therapy.
Quick Overview: Yes. Feeling able to open up can guide your choice of therapist. NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help you consider whether you feel comfortable with a therapist, and SAMHSA advises looking for a professional or program you could open up to. Neither source can determine fit or outcomes for an individual person.
Why Comfort, Rapport, and Trust May Matter
NIMH 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. NIMH also states that discussions in therapy are deeply personal and that rapport and trust are essential.
When considering a therapist, NIMH suggests a preliminary conversation as one way to understand how treatment would proceed and whether you feel comfortable with the therapist. Such conversations may occur in person, by phone, or virtually.
SAMHSA similarly advises people searching for mental-health support to look for treatment or support that includes qualities important to them. Its guidance includes looking for a professional or program a person could open up to as they work together. SAMHSA also notes that any relationship takes time to build.
These sources identify comfort, rapport, trust, and the possibility of opening up as considerations in a therapy search. They do not establish whether a particular therapist will be a fit for a particular person or predict what therapy will be like.
Comfort can be a topic for a preliminary conversation
A preliminary conversation can be a place to ask how treatment will proceed and to consider whether you feel comfortable with a therapist, according to NIMH. NIMH lists several questions a person may ask a prospective therapist, including questions about the therapist’s specialty, approach, rationale and evidence base, goals of therapy, and how progress would be assessed.
NIMH also notes that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. The approach a therapist uses depends on training and experience and on the condition being treated. A therapist may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches, depending on training, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Questions for Reflecting on a Therapy Search
The questions below draw on the considerations described by NIMH and SAMHSA. They are not a tool for determining personal fit or predicting outcomes.
| Question | What information could I seek? |
|---|---|
| Could I open up to this professional or program as we work together? | Whether this quality matters in my search, as SAMHSA suggests considering. |
| Do I feel comfortable with the therapist during a preliminary conversation? | The comfort consideration identified by NIMH. |
| How would treatment proceed? | Information NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand. |
| What approach would the therapist use to help me? | Information about the therapist’s approach and rationale. |
| What are the goals of therapy, and how would progress be assessed? | Questions NIMH lists for prospective therapists. |
| What practical details matter to me, such as insurance, cost, or appointment availability? | Search considerations identified by SAMHSA and NIMH. |
SAMHSA lists additional practical considerations for a search, including whether a professional or program accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services, is taking new patients, has open appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule, and includes qualities important to that person. NIMH also recommends asking prospective therapists about treatment fees, insurance acceptance, and whether there is a sliding scale according to income.
Questions can clarify how treatment is described
NIMH recommends asking a prospective therapist whether they have a specialty, what approach they would use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and what the rationale and evidence base are for that therapy. NIMH also includes questions about the goals of therapy, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, progress assessment, and what happens if a person or therapist feels improvement is not occurring.
For someone seeking care for a child, NIMH includes questions about the therapist’s experience with the child’s age group and specific condition, as well as how parents or caregivers would be involved. Those questions are specific to that situation and do not determine what is appropriate for every person or family.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes scheduling a consultation call as a first step that offers an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions based on NIMH’s guidance may include:
- What would treatment look like if I decided to begin?
- What approach do you use, and what is the rationale for that approach?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how is progress assessed?
- Do you recommend a particular time frame or number of sessions?
- What are the fees, insurance options, and appointment availability?
A consultation can provide information about how treatment would proceed and an opportunity to consider whether you feel comfortable with the therapist. It cannot determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual person.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is associated with the practice.
The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah. The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. Questions about the practice’s current services, availability, or appointment requests can be directed to the practice.
FAQs
Can a preliminary conversation help me consider comfort with a therapist?
Yes. NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist.
Does SAMHSA say connection may take time to build?
Yes. SAMHSA states that any relationship takes time to build while advising people to look for a professional or program they could open up to.
What does NIMH identify as important in therapy?
NIMH identifies rapport and trust as essential and states that it is important to feel comfortable with a therapist and have confidence in their expertise.
What practical details can I ask about during a therapy search?
SAMHSA identifies insurance or low-cost services, new-patient status, open appointments or meetings that fit a schedule, and qualities important to the person searching. NIMH also suggests asking about fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale options.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Health Care Or Support
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to contact Rooted Integrative Therapy, the practice invites inquiries and appointment requests through its Connect page. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step where you can ask questions and consider 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.