Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies therapy goals, the approach used, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, and how progress may be assessed as topics for a preliminary conversation. Asking the same questions of different individual therapy options can give you information to consider. Those answers cannot determine fit or predict an outcome for a particular person.
Questions about goals, approach, and progress can keep an early conversation focused on information a prospective therapist can explain directly. The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches, depending on their training, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving therapy.
Compare Options by Discussing Goals
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. It states that general goals of psychotherapy can include relief from symptoms, maintaining or enhancing daily functioning, and improving quality of life.
These broad goals do not establish what the goals of therapy will be in a particular situation. They can, however, provide a starting point for asking how a prospective therapist discusses goals and how those goals relate to the work they provide.
Ask How Goals Are Discussed
The National Institute of Mental Health includes questions about therapy goals in a preliminary conversation. You might ask a prospective therapist:
- What goals of therapy would you discuss?
- What would you want to understand before discussing goals?
- How do the goals relate to the approach you use?
- How would goals relate to assessing progress?
These questions seek information about how treatment may proceed. They do not ask for a promise about a particular result.
Use the Same Core Topics
The National Institute of Mental Health identifies goals, the approach used, its rationale and evidence base, and progress assessment as subjects for a preliminary conversation. Using these same topics across options can help you gather comparable information.
A response from a prospective therapist may explain their approach, training, or experience. It cannot establish in advance how therapy will unfold or what changes will occur for a particular person.
Ask About the Therapy Approach
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling can involve different methods. It explains that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope and may help people understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that many types of psychotherapy exist and that therapies are often variations of an established approach. It also notes that a therapist’s approach depends on training and experience and on the disorder being treated.
Request a Clear Description
The National Institute of Mental Health includes questions about the approach a therapist will use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that therapy. Consider asking:
- What approach do you use in individual therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the approach you use?
- What can you share about its evidence base?
- How do your training and experience relate to this approach?
These questions leave room for different methods. They also avoid assuming that the name of an approach fully describes what therapy will include.
Keep Evidence in Context
The National Institute of Mental Health states that research involving large numbers of patients has provided evidence that many therapies are effective. It also states that evidence-based therapies have been shown to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other mental disorders.
This information does not identify which approach will fit a particular person or predict an individual outcome. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s broad description of therapy and counseling also does not establish the methods used by a particular therapist. Direct questions can clarify how a prospective therapist describes their own work.
Include Progress in the Conversation
The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking how progress will be assessed. It also includes questions about what happens if a person or therapist feels improvement is not occurring, as well as whether the therapist recommends a specific time frame or number of sessions.
Ask How Progress May Be Assessed
Progress is a topic for discussion rather than an assurance that a particular change will occur. Questions may include:
- How will progress be assessed?
- How do therapy goals relate to the way progress is assessed?
- Would you recommend a specific time frame or number of sessions?
- What happens if I or the therapist feel that I am not improving?
The National Institute of Mental Health presents these as preliminary-conversation topics. Its information does not set a time frame, assessment method, or outcome for an individual person.
Reflection Questions for Comparing Options
Use these prompts to organize what you learn. They are questions for reflection, not a measure of an option or a prediction of results.
| Question to reflect on | Question to ask a prospective therapist |
|---|---|
| What goals do I want to discuss? | What goals of therapy would you discuss? |
| What do I want to know about methods? | What approach do you use, and do you practice a particular type of therapy? |
| What do I want to understand about the approach? | What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use? |
| What do I want to know about reviewing therapy? | How will progress be assessed? |
| What question remains before a next step? | What happens if I or the therapist feel I am not improving? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What goals of therapy would you discuss in individual therapy?
- What approach do you use, and do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the approach you use?
- What can you share about the evidence base for that approach?
- How might progress be assessed?
FAQs
Can these questions help me compare individual therapy options?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies goals, approach, evidence base, and progress assessment as topics for a preliminary conversation. The answers can provide information for comparison, but they cannot determine fit or predict outcomes.
Do therapy and counseling use the same methods?
Not necessarily. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling can involve different methods and are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope.
Is it appropriate to ask about evidence?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health includes the rationale for therapy and its evidence base among questions for a prospective therapist.
Can I ask what happens if improvement is not occurring?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health includes this topic among suggested questions for a preliminary conversation.
What can a consultation call provide?
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as a first step with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. The practice identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, as its therapist. It offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah. These details do not describe what any individual course of therapy will include or its outcome.
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
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. The practice describes a consultation call as an opportunity to 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.