Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and decide whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. NIMH identifies questions about approach, rationale and evidence base, therapy goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, and progress assessment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) identifies trustworthiness and transparency as a principle of trauma-informed approaches. SAMHSA says organizational decisions are conducted with the goal of building and maintaining trust with participants and staff.
Asking About the Therapy Process
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 states that an approach may depend on a therapist’s training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
According to NIMH, a preliminary conversation may help a person understand how treatment will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH lists questions that can be raised with a prospective therapist, including questions about specialty, approach, a particular type of therapy, rationale, evidence base, goals, time frame, progress assessment, and what may happen if improvement does not begin.
This general information does not determine which approach fits a particular person or what a person’s experience of therapy will be.
Questions About Approach and Rationale
NIMH states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. Its description of psychotherapy includes identifying and questioning inaccurate or harmful automatic thinking; developing ways to cope with stress and problem-solving strategies; examining interactions with others; teaching social and communication skills; applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques; tracking emotions and behaviors; and using supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
NIMH also describes exposure therapy as a type of cognitive behavioral therapy used for anxiety disorders. It states that treatment approaches can differ and may be tailored to a specific disorder.
Questions identified in NIMH’s material include:
- What approach will the therapist use?
- Does the therapist practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the therapy?
- What is its evidence base?
A person may ask these questions during a preliminary conversation. NIMH does not state that any particular approach is appropriate for every person or situation.
Questions About Goals, Time Frame, and Progress
NIMH describes general goals of psychotherapy as gaining relief from symptoms, maintaining or enhancing daily functioning, and improving quality of life. It also identifies questions about therapy goals and progress assessment.
Questions from NIMH’s material include:
- What are the goals of therapy?
- Does the therapist recommend a specific time frame or number of sessions?
- How will progress be assessed?
- What happens if the person or therapist feels improvement is not beginning?
NIMH states that choosing a treatment plan is based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation and should occur under the guidance of a mental-health professional. General descriptions of psychotherapy goals do not establish goals, timing, or progress for a particular person.
Transparency in a Trauma-Informed Approach
SAMHSA describes a trauma-informed approach as one in which a program, organization, or system realizes the widespread impact of trauma, understands potential paths for recovery, recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma in people involved with the system, and responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices. SAMHSA states that these approaches seek to actively resist retraumatization.
SAMHSA identifies safety; peer support; trustworthiness and transparency; collaboration and mutuality; and empowerment, voice, and choice as principles of trauma-informed approaches.
Trustworthiness and Transparency in SAMHSA’s Description
SAMHSA states that, under the principle of trustworthiness and transparency, organizational decisions are conducted with the goal of building and maintaining trust with participants and staff.
The available SAMHSA material does not provide a universal definition of the phrase “transparent therapy program.” It also does not describe every program’s policies, procedures, practices, or treatment process. A question that uses SAMHSA’s language is: “How does your program describe trustworthiness and transparency?”
SAMHSA’s description does not establish that every service uses trauma-informed principles, and it does not show how a particular service applies them. A service can describe its own approach when asked.
Boundaries of General Information About Fit
NIMH lists topics for a preliminary conversation, but its material does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. SAMHSA identifies principles of trauma-informed approaches, but its material does not describe every program.
Questions about a particular therapist, service, approach, or program can be directed to that therapist or service. A general article cannot answer whether a particular therapy process, time frame, or approach will fit an individual reader.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, as its therapist. Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
A Question-Based Reflection Table
| Question for reflection | Question to bring to a consultation |
|---|---|
| What do I want to understand about how treatment will proceed? | How will treatment proceed? |
| What approach would I like explained? | What approach will you use, and do you practice a particular type of therapy? |
| What information about rationale matters to me? | What is the rationale and evidence base for the therapy? |
| What goals or progress questions do I have? | What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed? |
| What does trustworthiness and transparency mean to me? | How does your program describe trustworthiness and transparency? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What is the purpose of the consultation call?
- What approach will you use?
- Does the therapist practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the therapy?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed?
- Does the therapist recommend a specific time frame or number of sessions?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form.
FAQs
Can I ask how therapy will proceed before beginning?
Yes. NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and decide whether they feel comfortable with the therapist.
What questions does NIMH identify for a prospective therapist?
NIMH identifies questions about specialty, approach, a particular type of therapy, rationale and evidence base, therapy goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, progress assessment, and what may happen if improvement does not begin.
What does SAMHSA say about transparency?
SAMHSA identifies trustworthiness and transparency as a trauma-informed principle. It states that organizational decisions are conducted with the goal of building and maintaining trust with participants and staff.
Does this article describe every trauma-informed program?
No. The available SAMHSA material describes trauma-informed approaches and principles. It does not describe every program’s policies, procedures, practices, or treatment process.
How can I contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Trauma-Informed Approaches and Programs
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page provides a way to make an inquiry or request an appointment. Its FAQs describe 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.