Quick Overview: Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says people searching for treatment or support can look for open appointments or meetings that fit their schedule and for qualities that matter to them. SAMHSA also says a person might not find a perfect match right away and may look for a professional or program they could open up to over time. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how therapy will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist.
Availability and Connection Can Both Be Search Topics
SAMHSA identifies several considerations for a search for treatment or support. These include whether a service accepts insurance or offers free or low-cost services, is taking new patients, has open appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule, and includes qualities that are important to that person.
This guidance does not say that every consideration has the same importance for every person. It also does not determine whether a particular provider has an appointment time that fits, whether a particular service is available, or whether a person will feel comfortable with a specific therapist. It identifies topics a person can look for during a search.
For the question in this article’s title, appointment times and the possibility of opening up can both be part of a search. One question concerns open appointment times. Another concerns qualities that matter to you and whether you could imagine opening up to a professional or program over time.
Appointment Times Are a Practical Topic to Ask About
SAMHSA specifically says people can look for open appointments or meetings that fit their schedule. Asking about open appointment times is consistent with its general guidance for finding treatment or support.
A question about timing does not answer questions about specialty, approach, or comfort. NIMH says therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It also says that a therapist’s approach depends on training and experience and on the disorder being treated. NIMH identifies specialty and approach among topics to discuss with a prospective therapist.
You may wish to ask about appointment times, how therapy would proceed, and the therapist’s approach. The available sources do not say how any person should weigh those topics or which topic should matter most.
Opening Up May Take Time Rather Than Happen Immediately
SAMHSA says a person might not find a perfect match right away. It advises looking for a professional or program a person could open up to as they work together, and it notes that relationships take time to build.
That statement does not predict whether someone will open up with a particular professional or program. It does not define a required amount of time, describe a particular course of therapy, or determine whether continuing with a provider is appropriate for any individual. Its scope is general search guidance.
NIMH states that rapport and trust are important. It also says therapy discussions are deeply personal and that it is important for a person to feel comfortable with the therapist and have confidence in the therapist’s expertise.
A Preliminary Conversation Can Address Questions About Therapy
NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how therapy will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. NIMH notes that these conversations may happen in person, by phone, or virtually. That statement describes possible preliminary-conversation formats generally; it does not describe the format of a particular practice’s consultation.
NIMH also identifies questions about a therapist’s specialty, the approach they use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base for the therapy, therapy goals, progress assessment, and a recommended time frame or number of sessions.
These are possible discussion topics. They are not promises about what a therapist will recommend, what an appointment will be like, or what results a person will experience.
Reflection Questions for a Therapy Search
The questions below reflect search topics identified by SAMHSA and NIMH. They are not a way to determine personal fit or predict an outcome.
| Reflection question | Topic identified in the available guidance |
|---|---|
| Which open appointment times or meetings fit my schedule? | SAMHSA says people can look for open appointments or meetings that fit their schedule. |
| What qualities are important to me in a professional or program? | SAMHSA says people can look for qualities that are important to them. |
| Could I imagine opening up to this professional or program over time? | SAMHSA says people may look for a professional or program they could open up to as they work together. |
| What do I want to understand about how therapy will proceed? | NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how therapy will proceed. |
| What would I want to ask about specialty or approach? | NIMH identifies specialty and approach as topics for a prospective-therapist conversation. |
| What would feeling comfortable with a therapist mean to me? | NIMH says a preliminary conversation can help someone consider whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. |
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. The following questions stay within topics identified by SAMHSA and NIMH:
- What appointment times are currently open for individual therapy?
- How will therapy proceed?
- What approach do you use in therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the approach and its evidence base?
NIMH also identifies questions about specialty, therapy goals, progress assessment, and a recommended time frame or number of sessions. Those topics may be raised with a prospective therapist; they do not establish what a particular therapist will recommend.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its About page lists Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. The practice states that it offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQ page describes a consultation call as a first step and an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can appointment availability be part of a search for support?
Yes. SAMHSA says people searching for treatment or support can look for open appointments or meetings that fit their schedule. This does not determine the availability of a particular provider or service.
Does SAMHSA say I need to find a perfect match right away?
No. SAMHSA says a person might not find a perfect match right away and may look for a professional or program they could open up to as they work together. SAMHSA also notes that relationships take time to build.
What can a preliminary conversation help me understand?
NIMH says it can help someone understand how therapy will proceed and consider whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. NIMH also identifies questions about specialty, approach, evidence base, goals, progress assessment, and time frame.
Why are comfort, rapport, and trust relevant topics?
NIMH states that rapport and trust are important. It says therapy discussions are deeply personal and that it is important to feel comfortable with the therapist and have confidence in the therapist’s expertise.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy describe as a first step?
The practice’s FAQ page describes scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
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:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Health Care Or Support
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the contact details or form provided there. The practice describes 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.