Quick Overview: Yes, breathing exercises can be included among the mindfulness and relaxation techniques used in psychotherapy, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The available information does not establish that slow, deep breathing is included in every individual therapy service or by any particular therapist. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes breathing exercises as focusing on slow, deep breaths, also called diaphragmatic breathing. A consultation can be a place to ask how a therapist approaches breathing exercises and whether the service feels like a fit.
What the Available Information Establishes
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 includes mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises.
This supports a clear but limited answer: breathing exercises can be an element of psychotherapy. It does not establish that slow, deep breathing is part of every individual therapy service, every therapy conversation, or a particular therapist’s approach.
NIMH lists several possible elements of psychotherapy. These include identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others and teaching social and communication skills, tracking emotions and behaviors, supportive counseling, and mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
NIMH also 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. That general description does not define a standard individual therapy format or predict what will be discussed in a particular service.
Breathing Exercises Are One Possible Psychotherapy Element
The phrase individual therapy breathing exercises can raise several different questions. You may be asking whether psychotherapy can include breathing exercises, what slow deep breathing means, or whether a prospective therapist discusses relaxation practices.
The available sources answer the first question at a general level: psychotherapy can include breathing exercises. They do not answer whether breathing exercises will be used in a particular individual therapy service. A direct conversation with a prospective therapist can clarify their approach.
What Slow, Deep Breathing Means
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes breathing exercises as practices in which a person might focus on taking slow, deep breaths. It also calls this diaphragmatic breathing.
This is a general description of a breathing exercise. It does not establish that diaphragmatic breathing will be part of individual therapy, explain how a therapist would introduce it, or determine whether it fits a particular person.
NCCIH describes relaxation techniques as practices intended to bring about the body’s “relaxation response.” It characterizes that response as involving slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. Its overview lists breathing exercises alongside progressive relaxation, autogenic training, guided imagery, biofeedback-assisted relaxation, and self-hypnosis.
General Terms Do Not Describe a Particular Service
Terms such as slow deep breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, and relaxation practice in therapy are general terms. They do not establish whether a topic will be educational, part of a broader discussion, or absent from a particular therapy conversation.
If these terms are important to you, you might ask a prospective therapist what they mean by diaphragmatic breathing, whether breathing exercises are part of their approach, and how they describe relaxation techniques.
Reflection Questions About the Topic
These prompts are for general reflection. They do not indicate whether slow, deep breathing is appropriate for you or whether it will be included in a particular service.
| Reflection question | Possible follow-up question |
|---|---|
| What do I mean when I say “slow, deep breathing”? | Am I asking about a definition, diaphragmatic breathing, or psychotherapy? |
| What would I like to understand about a therapist’s approach? | How does the therapist describe relaxation techniques or breathing exercises? |
| What do I want to ask during a consultation? | Do I want to ask about the service, the approach, or fit? |
| Which terms would I like explained? | What does the therapist mean by mindfulness, relaxation, or diaphragmatic breathing? |
| What questions do I want to write down beforehand? | Which questions are most important for a preliminary conversation? |
A Preliminary Conversation Can Clarify Approach
NIMH 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 a therapist’s specialty, approach, rationale and evidence base, therapy goals, time frame, and progress assessment.
Those questions do not establish what a therapist will recommend or include. They provide a starting point for learning about a prospective therapist’s approach.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions you may bring include:
- How do you describe your approach to individual therapy?
- Do mindfulness or relaxation techniques, including breathing exercises, come up in your approach?
- When you use the term diaphragmatic breathing, what do you mean?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approaches you use?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how is progress assessed?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. The practice identifies Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, on its About page. Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person services near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can individual therapy include slow, deep breathing?
Psychotherapy can include breathing exercises, according to NIMH. The available sources do not establish whether slow, deep breathing is included in every individual therapy service or by a particular therapist.
Is slow, deep breathing also called diaphragmatic breathing?
NCCIH describes breathing exercises as focusing on slow, deep breaths, also called diaphragmatic breathing.
Are breathing exercises the only relaxation technique NCCIH mentions?
No. NCCIH also lists progressive relaxation, autogenic training, guided imagery, biofeedback-assisted relaxation, and self-hypnosis. This list does not determine what will be used in psychotherapy.
What can a consultation call address?
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
A Grounded Next Step
If you want to ask about individual therapy at Rooted Integrative Therapy, its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. You may ask how the therapist describes their approach, whether breathing exercises are discussed, and what diaphragmatic breathing means in that context.
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.