Quick Overview: Yes. You can ask whether an individual therapy approach includes mindfulness or relaxation techniques. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques among its possible elements. You can ask how these terms are defined, whether they are part of the approach being discussed, and which practices, if any, may be considered. Available information does not establish that every individual therapy approach includes mindfulness or relaxation techniques.
Understanding Mindfulness and Relaxation in Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Can Include Different Elements
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. It 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.
Mindfulness and relaxation techniques are among the possible elements of psychotherapy named by the National Institute of Mental Health. The organization also lists elements such as identifying ways to cope with stress, developing problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, tracking emotions and behaviors, and supportive counseling.
A conversation with a therapist can be a place to ask what approach they use. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests questions about the approach a therapist will use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that approach. Asking about mindfulness or relaxation can be part of learning how an approach is described.
Mindfulness Means Present-Moment Awareness Without Judgment
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments. Its information describes meditation as a variety of practices that focus on mind and body integration. Some meditation practices involve maintaining mental focus on breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a repeated word or phrase. Other forms involve mindfulness practice.
When mindfulness comes up in a conversation about individual therapy, it may help to ask what the term means in the approach being discussed. For example, you might ask whether mindfulness is discussed as a concept, whether a mindfulness practice may be considered, or whether it is not part of that approach.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that 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. The information here does not determine what fits a particular person or what result a practice may have.
Relaxation Techniques Name Several Distinct Practices
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes relaxation techniques as practices intended to bring about the body’s relaxation response. It characterizes that response as slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate.
The organization lists several relaxation techniques:
- Progressive relaxation: tensing different muscles in the body and then releasing the tension.
- Guided imagery or visualization: picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in the body.
- Biofeedback-assisted relaxation: using feedback, usually provided by an electronic device, to learn how to recognize and manage bodily responses.
- Self-hypnosis: learning to produce the relaxation response when prompted by a phrase or nonverbal cue.
- Breathing exercises: focusing on slow, deep breaths, also called diaphragmatic breathing.
These names do not establish that a particular practice is part of an individual therapy approach. A clear question can ask whether any of these practices are included in the approach being discussed.
Asking About an Individual Therapy Approach
Questions Can Clarify Terms and Rationale
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 the therapist. It identifies rapport and trust as essential and suggests asking about a therapist’s approach, rationale, evidence base, goals of therapy, and how progress may be assessed.
Questions about mindfulness in individual therapy or relaxation techniques in therapy can focus on information rather than assumptions. You may ask:
- “How do you describe your approach to individual therapy?”
- “Does the approach you are describing include mindfulness?”
- “What do you mean by mindfulness in this approach?”
- “Are relaxation techniques part of the approach you use?”
- “Which practices, if any, are being considered?”
- “What is the rationale and evidence base for this approach?”
These questions do not establish that mindfulness or relaxation will be included. They invite a description of the approach under discussion.
Reflection Questions Can Prepare a Conversation
The following table offers questions for reflection. It does not predict what an individual therapy approach will include.
| Reflection question | Question to bring to a consultation |
|---|---|
| What do I mean when I use the word “mindfulness”? | “How do you define mindfulness in your approach?” |
| Am I asking about relaxation generally or about a named practice? | “Are breathing exercises, guided imagery, progressive relaxation, or another practice part of the approach you describe?” |
| What would help me understand how treatment may proceed? | “Can you explain the approach you use in individual therapy?” |
| What do I want to know about the rationale? | “What is the rationale for the approach you are describing?” |
| What do I want to understand about evidence? | “What is the evidence base for this approach?” |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy. The practice’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Consultation Questions About Mindfulness and Relaxation
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions to bring may include:
- Do you offer individual therapy?
- How do you describe your approach to individual therapy?
- Does the approach being discussed include mindfulness or relaxation techniques?
- What do you mean by mindfulness or relaxation techniques?
- Which practices, if any, may be part of the approach?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you describe?
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy 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 I Ask Whether a Therapist Uses Mindfulness?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health lists mindfulness as a possible element of psychotherapy. You can ask whether it is part of the approach being discussed.
What Is Mindfulness?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
What Are Relaxation Techniques?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health lists progressive relaxation, guided imagery, biofeedback-assisted relaxation, self-hypnosis, and breathing exercises.
Does Every Individual Therapy Approach Include These Practices?
No conclusion about every approach is supported here. The National Institute of Mental Health states that mindfulness and relaxation techniques can be elements of psychotherapy.
Can This Information Tell Me What Is Right for Me?
No. The National Institute of Mental Health states that treatment selection is based on individual needs and medical situation and should occur under the guidance of a mental-health professional.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to ask about individual therapy mindfulness and relaxation techniques, Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page provides contact details and a form for inquiries and appointment requests. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering 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.