Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) includes questions about a therapist’s approach, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for therapy among topics for a preliminary conversation. NIMH says that conversation can help a person understand how therapy may proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says a person may look for a professional or program they could open up to, even when a perfect match is not immediately apparent. Neither source can determine fit or whether a particular person will open up with a particular therapist.
Questions About a Therapist’s Approach
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. The organization states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches.
NIMH also states that the approach a therapist uses depends on their training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. A preliminary conversation is one setting NIMH identifies for discussing how treatment may proceed.
Approach, Type of Therapy, and Evidence Base
NIMH lists several topics a person can raise with a prospective therapist. These include:
- What approach will the therapist use to help you?
- Does the therapist practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the therapy and its evidence base?
These are questions NIMH presents alongside other topics about treatment goals, progress assessment, and practical considerations. The source does not say that one approach, explanation, or evidence base will fit every person.
NIMH notes that a variety of psychotherapies have been shown to effectively treat mental health disorders. It also states that therapies are often variations of an established approach and that research involving large numbers of patients has provided evidence for many therapies. The organization’s information does not establish what will occur in any individual course of therapy.
How Therapy May Proceed
According to NIMH, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how therapy may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH says these conversations may happen in person, by phone, or virtually.
NIMH identifies additional discussion topics that may include a therapist’s specialty; therapy goals; a recommended time frame or number of sessions; how progress will be assessed; and what may happen if a person or therapist feels improvement is not beginning. These are possible topics for a conversation, not descriptions of what any particular therapist will recommend.
Considering Whether You Could Open Up
SAMHSA says that finding a health care professional or program can take work. During a search, SAMHSA suggests looking for treatment or support that accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services, is taking new patients, has appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule, and includes qualities important to the person seeking support.
SAMHSA states that a person might not find a perfect match right away. It suggests looking for a professional or program a person could open up to while working with them, and it notes that any relationship takes some time to build.
NIMH similarly states that discussions in therapy are deeply personal, that rapport and trust are essential, and that it is important to feel comfortable with a therapist and have confidence in their expertise. These statements describe considerations identified by NIMH and SAMHSA; they do not predict a person’s experience with a particular therapist.
Reflection Questions for Your Search
| Question for reflection | Source-based connection |
|---|---|
| What qualities are important to me in a professional or program? | SAMHSA suggests looking for treatment or support with qualities important to the person seeking it. |
| After a preliminary conversation, do I feel comfortable with this therapist? | NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person consider whether they feel comfortable. |
| Could I see myself opening up to this professional or program as we work together? | SAMHSA says a person may look for a professional or program they could open up to. |
| What do I understand about how therapy may proceed? | NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how therapy may proceed. |
| Do the therapist’s stated goals and way of assessing progress matter to my consideration? | NIMH includes therapy goals and progress assessment among possible questions. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
NIMH includes the following topics among questions for a prospective therapist. They can be brought to a preliminary conversation or consultation.
- What approach will you use to help me?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the therapy and its evidence base?
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How will progress be assessed?
NIMH also includes questions about treatment fees, insurance, and sliding-scale fees according to income. SAMHSA notes that a search may include whether a professional or program is taking new patients and has appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule.
Questions About Comfort and Fit
A person’s comfort and ability to open up are considerations described in the NIMH and SAMHSA materials. NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. SAMHSA says a perfect match may not appear immediately and that relationships can take time to build.
Those sources do not provide a test for fit, a timeline for opening up, or an outcome for a specific person. A conversation can provide information about the therapist’s stated approach and about how therapy may proceed; it cannot answer in advance how an individual relationship will develop.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy
Rooted Integrative Therapy identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, on its website. The practice lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
The practice lists in-person services near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the contact details or form on that page.
FAQs
Can I ask why a therapist uses a particular approach?
Yes. NIMH lists questions about the approach a therapist will use, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for therapy.
Can a preliminary conversation help me consider whether I feel comfortable?
NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how therapy may proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with the therapist.
Do I need to find a perfect match immediately?
SAMHSA says a person might not find a perfect match right away and may look for a professional or program they could open up to while working with them.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy say about a consultation call?
Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
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 ask Rooted Integrative Therapy about individual therapy or request an appointment, visit the Connect page.
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.