Quick Overview: Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that a search for support can include health care professionals, programs, and support groups to contact. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies professional directories, advocacy organizations, university programs, local health resources, and insurance-provider lists as possible places to look for mental health professionals. These sources describe search options; they do not determine personal fit or what any option will be like for an individual.
A search can include more than one category of support. You may also choose to ask someone you trust for a recommendation, if you are comfortable doing so.
Search Categories for Support
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, says that finding a health care professional or program can take a lot of work. Its guidance includes asking a doctor, social worker, loved one, or trusted friend for a recommendation when that feels comfortable. SAMHSA also notes that speaking with more than one person may be useful because many types of support are available.
SAMHSA describes a search that includes health care professionals, programs, and support groups to contact. It suggests looking for treatment or support that 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 that matter to that person.
These are search categories and considerations, not a determination of what is appropriate for a particular person.
Health Care Professionals
SAMHSA includes health care professionals among the contacts a person may search for. The National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, states that many types of professionals offer psychotherapy, including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, and psychiatric nurses.
NIMH defines 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 states that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It also says that a therapist’s approach depends on training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Programs and Support Groups
SAMHSA includes programs and support groups among the options a person may search for and contact. Its guidance refers to open appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule when considering treatment or support.
The information provided for this article does not define every kind of program or support group. It also does not compare programs or groups with psychotherapy, describe what a particular program or group provides, or determine whether one of these options is a fit for an individual.
Search Considerations Named by SAMHSA
SAMHSA identifies several considerations for a search. A person may look for a contact that accepts their insurance or offers free or low-cost services. They may also look for a contact that is taking new patients or has open appointments or meetings that fit their schedule.
SAMHSA further notes that a person may look for qualities that are important to them. Its guidance 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.
Places to Look for Mental Health Professionals
NIMH identifies professional directories, advocacy organizations, university programs, and local health resources as possible ways to find mental health professionals. It also states that an insurance provider may have a list of mental health professionals who participate in a plan.
NIMH notes that many universities or medical schools have affiliated programs offering treatment options, including training clinics. It says that local university health-center websites may be searched for psychiatry or psychology departments. State or county health-department websites may also list mental health-related programs.
NIMH states that it does not evaluate the qualifications or competencies of individual practitioners listed on the websites it names. These resources are provided for informational purposes, are not comprehensive lists, and an organization’s inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.
What a Preliminary Conversation May Cover
NIMH states that, after identifying one or more possible therapists, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. According to NIMH, these conversations may happen in person, by phone, or virtually.
NIMH identifies questions about a therapist’s specialty, approach, and particular type of therapy. It also identifies questions about the rationale for therapy and its evidence base, experience with a specific age group and condition, therapy goals, and a recommended time frame or number of sessions.
Other questions named by NIMH include how progress will be assessed, what happens if a person or therapist feels improvement is not beginning, treatment fees, insurance acceptance, and whether a sliding scale according to income is available.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is the therapist named by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The practice states that it offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo and virtual therapy across Utah.
Reflection Questions for a Search
These questions are planning prompts based on the search considerations described by SAMHSA and NIMH. They do not determine fit, cost, availability, or what any contact will provide.
| Search area | Questions for reflection |
|---|---|
| Contact type | Am I looking for a health care professional, a program, a support group, or contacts in more than one category? |
| Recommendations | Is there a doctor, social worker, loved one, or trusted friend I am comfortable asking for a recommendation? |
| Schedule | Does the contact state that it is taking new patients or has open appointments or meetings that fit my schedule? |
| Cost | Does the contact state that it accepts my insurance or offers free, low-cost, or sliding-scale services? |
| Therapist conversation | What would I like to ask about specialty, approach, therapy goals, fees, insurance, or a recommended time frame? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions may include:
- What services does Rooted Integrative Therapy currently list?
- What is the process for scheduling a consultation call or requesting an appointment?
- What information can you share about fees and insurance?
- What therapy approach do you use?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how is progress assessed?
- What time frame or number of sessions might you recommend?
FAQs
Can I search for a therapist, a program, and a support group?
Yes. SAMHSA says that a search for support can include health care professionals, programs, and support groups to contact. The source does not determine which option fits an individual.
Where can I look for mental health professionals?
NIMH identifies professional directories, advocacy organizations, university programs, local health resources, and insurance-provider lists as possible places to look.
What can I ask a prospective therapist?
NIMH identifies questions about specialty, approach, therapy goals, evidence base, experience, fees, insurance, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, and how progress will be assessed.
What services does Rooted Integrative Therapy list?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the listed contact details or form.
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, visit the Connect page to submit an inquiry or appointment request using the listed contact details or form. The practice FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for questions and consideration of 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.