Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindful meditation and includes discussion sessions and other strategies to help people apply what they have learned to stressful experiences. These descriptions do not mean that every psychotherapy approach uses mindfulness or that every mindfulness program includes discussion sessions.
Mindfulness Can Be an Element of Psychotherapy
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. Its description of psychotherapy elements includes mindfulness and relaxation techniques, with meditation and breathing exercises named as examples.
This supports a limited, clear point about mindfulness in therapy: mindfulness may be part of psychotherapy. It does not establish that mindfulness is part of every psychotherapy approach, every therapist’s work, or every service described as therapy.
The National Institute of Mental Health also identifies other possible psychotherapy elements. These include identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, teaching social and communication skills, tracking emotions and behaviors, and supportive counseling. The organization 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 treatment.
What a General Description Cannot Determine
A general description that psychotherapy can include mindfulness does not show whether a particular service includes meditation, breathing exercises, or another mindfulness practice. It also does not determine whether a particular approach fits an individual person or what outcomes they may experience.
A direct question can help clarify a specific offering: How does this service describe the role of mindfulness or relaxation techniques?
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Can Include Discussion Sessions
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. It also explains that programs teaching meditation or mindfulness may combine those practices with other activities.
Its description of mindfulness-based stress reduction is more specific. Mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindful meditation and includes discussion sessions and other strategies to help people apply what they have learned to stressful experiences.
That description answers the central question plainly. A psychotherapy approach can use mindfulness, and mindfulness-based stress reduction can include discussion sessions. The presence of discussion sessions does not remove mindful meditation from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health description; both are included in its description of the program.
The Limits of This Comparison
The available information identifies discussion sessions as part of mindfulness-based stress reduction. It does not establish that every program described as a mindfulness program includes discussion sessions, mindful meditation, or strategies for applying learning to stressful experiences.
Likewise, the information does not establish that psychotherapy and all mindfulness programs can be compared in one general way. The sources describe possible elements of psychotherapy and named components of mindfulness-based stress reduction. For a particular offering, it may be useful to ask: What practices, discussion sessions, or other activities does this program include?
Questions That Can Clarify a Specific Offering
The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. It identifies questions about the approach being used, the rationale and evidence base, goals of therapy, and how progress will be assessed.
When a service mentions mindfulness, questions can seek a description rather than assume that particular components are included. Asking about meditation, breathing exercises, or discussion sessions may help clarify what the service itself offers.
Reflection Questions Before an Inquiry
| Question to consider | Question to ask or clarify |
|---|---|
| What information am I looking for? | Is this offering described as psychotherapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, or another service? |
| What do I mean by mindfulness in this context? | Does the offering include mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as meditation or breathing exercises? |
| Am I looking for discussion sessions? | Does this specific offering include discussion sessions? |
| What would I like explained about the approach? | How would the approach proceed, and what elements may be included? |
| What would I like to understand about fit? | What questions can I ask during a preliminary conversation or consultation call? |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe mindfulness within the service I am considering?
- Does this service include mindfulness or relaxation techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises?
- Does this offering include discussion sessions?
- What approach would be used in this service?
- What information can you provide about how treatment would proceed?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. The practice identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, on its About page.
Rooted Integrative Therapy Access and Inquiries
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. These access details and listed service categories do not establish that every service is available in every setting. They also do not establish that a particular service includes mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, or discussion sessions.
The practice’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using the page’s contact details or form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can psychotherapy include mindfulness?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. This does not establish what a particular psychotherapy service includes.
Does mindfulness-based stress reduction include discussion sessions?
Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that mindfulness-based stress reduction teaches mindful meditation and includes discussion sessions and other strategies for applying learning to stressful experiences.
Do all mindfulness programs include discussion sessions?
The available information does not establish that. The cited description of discussion sessions applies to mindfulness-based stress reduction.
Can this article determine whether an approach fits me?
No. The research notes provide general descriptions and do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
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.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to ask about a Rooted Integrative Therapy service, the Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. You may ask how the practice describes the service you are considering and whether mindfulness, meditation, breathing exercises, or discussion sessions are included.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.