Quick Overview: Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration suggests that people who feel comfortable may ask trusted loved ones or friends for recommendations when starting a search. A recommendation may identify a health care professional or program to consider. The National Institute of Mental Health states that people may seek psychotherapy for relationship or family problems. These sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, identifies asking trusted people for recommendations as part of beginning a search. The National Institute of Mental Health, or NIMH, includes relationship or family problems among reasons people may seek psychotherapy. A recommendation and a preliminary conversation are distinct parts of the information described in these sources.
What a Trusted Recommendation May Identify
SAMHSA states that people who feel comfortable may ask a doctor, social worker, loved one, or trusted friend whether they know a health care professional or program for mental health or drug and alcohol use. It also states that talking with more than one person can be helpful because many types of support are available.
For therapy for family concerns, a recommendation may identify a health care professional or program to consider. The research notes for this article set a clear boundary: a trusted recommendation does not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
Consider the professional or program named in the recommendation
SAMHSA refers to recommendations for health care professionals or programs. Its search guidance also identifies qualities that are important to a person, whether a professional or program is taking new patients, whether appointments or meetings fit a person’s schedule, and whether insurance is accepted or free or low-cost services are offered.
NIMH states that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It also states that the approach a therapist uses depends on training and experience, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. These are general statements from NIMH and do not describe a particular therapist or service.
Use preliminary-conversation topics from NIMH
NIMH states that, after identifying possible therapists, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH states that these conversations may occur in person, by phone, or virtually.
NIMH identifies questions about whether a therapist has a specialty, what approach the therapist will use, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that approach. It also identifies questions about therapy goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, how progress will be assessed, and what happens if a person or therapist feels improvement is not occurring.
A Question-Based Reflection Table
These questions reflect topics identified in SAMHSA and NIMH materials. They do not determine which professional, program, or service fits a particular person.
| Question | Related information in the available guidance |
|---|---|
| What did the trusted person recommend? | SAMHSA refers to a health care professional or program. |
| Which qualities are important to me in a professional or program? | SAMHSA advises looking for qualities that are important to you. |
| Is the professional or program taking new patients, and are appointments or meetings available? | SAMHSA includes these search topics. |
| What approach does the therapist use? | NIMH identifies the therapist’s approach as a preliminary-conversation topic. |
| What is the rationale and evidence base for that approach? | NIMH includes this question for a prospective therapist. |
| What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed? | NIMH identifies both goals and progress assessment as topics to ask about. |
Family Concerns in NIMH Information
NIMH states that people may seek psychotherapy for relationship or family problems. It also includes severe or long-term stress from a family situation among reasons someone might seek psychotherapy. These are examples in NIMH information. They do not define family concerns for an individual reader or identify an appropriate service.
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 psychotherapy and medication are common forms of mental health treatment. It also states that psychotherapy may be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options.
According to NIMH, 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. NIMH also states that therapists may use a primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on training, the disorder being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Keep service offerings separate from questions about fit
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The available practice facts do not state how any particular service would address a particular family concern.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Rooted Integrative Therapy states that Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, provides in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. This is practice-specific access information, not a general statement about therapy access or format.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. NIMH identifies these topics for a preliminary conversation with a prospective therapist:
- Do you have a specialty?
- What approach would you use?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed?
- What are the fees, do you accept insurance, and is there a sliding scale for fees according to income?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a trusted loved one or friend help me start a search?
Yes. SAMHSA suggests that people who feel comfortable may ask trusted loved ones or friends for recommendations when starting a search.
Can people seek psychotherapy for relationship or family problems?
Yes. NIMH states that people may seek psychotherapy for relationship or family problems. This does not determine fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
What can a preliminary conversation help me understand?
NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy describe as its first step?
Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
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: Health Care Or Support
A Grounded Next Step
SAMHSA suggests that a trusted recommendation may be part of starting a search when a person feels comfortable asking for one. Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests, and 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.