Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy goals can include maintaining or enhancing daily functioning and improving quality of life. It also describes psychotherapy as treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that most treatments aim to change thoughts and behaviors. These general descriptions do not determine what will fit a particular person or what outcome an individual will experience.
Questions about daily functioning and thought patterns can be part of a broader conversation about psychotherapy. The available information describes possible psychotherapy goals and elements, rather than a required focus for every person or every type of therapy.
What the Available Information Says About Therapy 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 psychotherapy goals generally include gaining relief from symptoms, maintaining or enhancing daily functioning, and improving quality of life.
The same source notes that psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options. It says that choosing a treatment plan is based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation under the guidance of a mental-health professional.
Daily Functioning and Quality of Life Are Named Psychotherapy Goals
The National Institute of Mental Health explicitly includes maintaining or enhancing daily functioning and improving quality of life among general psychotherapy goals. This information supports the plain answer that therapy goals can include daily-life concerns when those concerns relate to daily functioning or quality of life.
The source does not state that every psychotherapy approach has the same goals. It also does not determine whether a particular concern, treatment approach, or outcome applies to an individual reader.
Thoughts and Behaviors Can Be Part of Psychotherapy
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can help a person identify and change troubling thoughts and behaviors. It describes cognitive behavioral therapy as an approach that can involve becoming aware of automatic ways of thinking that are inaccurate or harmful, questioning those thoughts, understanding how they affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration similarly states that the goal of most treatments is to change thoughts and behaviors. It identifies therapy and counseling as types of care and says they are usually focused on developing healthy coping skills and understanding the core cause of thoughts and behaviors in order to change unhealthy patterns.
These statements describe broad treatment information. They do not establish what a particular therapist will focus on or what approach is suitable for a specific person.
Reflection Questions for Considering Therapy Goals
The questions below are prompts for reflection. They do not determine what care is appropriate or what a therapist will recommend.
| Reflection question | Related source-based topic |
|---|---|
| Could maintaining or enhancing daily functioning be part of what I want to ask about? | The National Institute of Mental Health lists daily functioning among general psychotherapy goals. |
| Is improving quality of life a topic I want to discuss? | The National Institute of Mental Health includes quality of life among general psychotherapy goals. |
| Do I have questions about troubling thoughts, emotions, or behaviors? | The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as aiming to help identify and change these concerns. |
| What would I like to know about a therapist’s approach? | The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking what approach a therapist uses and the rationale and evidence base for that approach. |
| How will progress be assessed if I begin therapy? | The National Institute of Mental Health includes progress assessment among questions to ask a prospective therapist. |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as a first step with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions may include:
- “How would you describe your approach to therapy?”
- “What are the goals of therapy in the approach you use?”
- “What is the rationale and evidence base for that approach?”
- “How will progress be assessed?”
- “What should I know about requesting an appointment?”
Frequently Asked Questions
Can therapy goals include daily functioning?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that general psychotherapy goals can include maintaining or enhancing daily functioning and improving quality of life.
Can therapy address thought patterns?
The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as work that can help a person identify and change troubling thoughts and behaviors. It also describes cognitive behavioral therapy as one approach that addresses automatic ways of thinking. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that most treatments aim to change thoughts and behaviors.
Does this information show which therapy approach is right for me?
No. The available information does not determine personal fit, an appropriate treatment approach, or individual outcomes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that treatment planning is based on individual needs and medical situation under the guidance of a mental-health professional.
How can I contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit.
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
If you would like to ask questions about Rooted Integrative Therapy, you can request a consultation. 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.