Quick Overview: Yes. You can ask how an individual therapy approach connects thoughts, feelings, and actions, which approach a therapist uses, and the rationale for that approach. The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It says psychotherapy can include noticing automatic thought patterns and considering how thoughts affect emotions and behavior. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration says therapy and counseling can explore the roots of thoughts and behaviors and support changes in unhealthy patterns. These are general descriptions and do not predict an individual experience.
Asking About Thoughts, Feelings, and Actions in Therapy
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. This broad description does not mean that every therapy approach uses the same methods or addresses the same concerns.
Within its discussion of psychotherapy elements, the National Institute of Mental Health says an approach can help a person become aware of automatic ways of thinking that may be inaccurate or harmful. It also describes questioning those thoughts, understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behavior, and changing self-defeating behavior patterns. The source identifies this as an element of cognitive behavioral therapy.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. It says therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns. This is a general description of therapy and counseling, not a statement about what a particular therapist will do or what a person will experience.
What the Connection Can Mean in General
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, psychotherapy can include attention to automatic thought patterns and to ways thoughts affect emotions and behavior. Its broader list of possible psychotherapy elements also includes tracking emotions and behaviors to raise awareness of their impact on each other, identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, and using mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
These are possible elements within a broad description of psychotherapy. They are not a checklist for every individual therapy approach. The available information does not establish that a particular approach will include each element, focus on automatic thoughts, or lead to a particular result.
A direct question can be: “How does your approach address thoughts, feelings, and actions?” Another can be: “Which parts of this connection are relevant to the approach you use?” A prospective therapist can describe the approach they use and its rationale.
Questions About a Therapist’s Approach
The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It says that the approach a therapist uses depends on training and experience. The source also states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
The National Institute of Mental Health says people can ask a prospective therapist which approach they use and the rationale for that approach. It also identifies questions about the goals of therapy, how treatment will proceed, how progress may be assessed, whether a therapist recommends a particular time frame or number of sessions, and what may happen if someone does not feel they are improving.
Those topics may provide a starting point for a conversation. They do not establish whether an approach is a fit or predict the course of therapy for any person.
Reflection Questions for Considering Individual Therapy
The questions below are for reflection and discussion. They do not identify what type of therapy a person needs, determine fit, or predict an outcome.
| Reflection question | Question to bring to a prospective therapist |
|---|---|
| What would I like to understand about thoughts, feelings, or actions? | How does your approach address thoughts, feelings, and actions? |
| What do I want to know about the method being used? | Which approach do you use in individual therapy? |
| What would I like to understand about the reason for an approach? | What is the rationale for your approach? |
| What questions do I have about therapy goals? | What might the goals of therapy be? |
| What would I like to know about the process? | How will treatment proceed? |
| What would I want to ask about progress? | How is progress assessed? |
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 also states that rapport and trust are essential in therapy. These points do not guarantee fit or a particular therapy experience.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- Which approach do you use in individual therapy?
- What is the rationale for that approach?
- How does your approach address thoughts, feelings, and actions?
- Does your approach include attention to automatic thought patterns?
- What might the goals of therapy be?
- How will progress be assessed?
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. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form.
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask why a therapist uses a particular approach?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says people can ask a prospective therapist which approach they use and the rationale for that approach.
Can psychotherapy address thoughts, feelings, and actions together?
The National Institute of Mental Health says psychotherapy can include noticing automatic thought patterns and understanding how thoughts affect emotions and behavior. It also lists tracking emotions and behaviors as a possible psychotherapy element. This does not establish that every approach addresses these areas in the same way.
Will every individual therapy approach focus on automatic thoughts?
The available information does not establish that every individual therapy approach focuses on automatic thoughts. The National Institute of Mental Health presents awareness of automatic thinking as a possible element of psychotherapy.
Can therapy and counseling explore thought and behavior patterns?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling can help people better understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
Can I ask how treatment will proceed?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health includes how treatment will proceed among topics that may be discussed in a preliminary conversation.
Can I ask questions during a consultation with Rooted Integrative Therapy?
Yes. Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as a first step with an opportunity to ask questions and consider 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 or request an appointment with Rooted Integrative Therapy, visit the Connect page.
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.