Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health says therapists may have different specialties and suggests asking a prospective therapist whether they have a specialty. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises people seeking support to look for a professional or program that is taking new patients. During a preliminary conversation, you can also ask about the approach a therapist may use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base they describe, therapy goals, and how progress may be assessed.
Asking About a Therapist’s Specialty
The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It includes asking whether a prospective therapist has a specialty among the topics for a preliminary conversation.
A plain question is: “Do you have a specialty?”
This question can request information about a therapist’s work while you are choosing an individual therapist. It does not settle every consideration in a therapy search or determine whether a particular arrangement will fit a person’s circumstances.
The National Institute of Mental Health also states that the approach a therapist uses depends on the therapist’s training and experience and on the disorder being treated. It notes 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 therapy.
Asking About the Therapy Approach
Specialty is not the only topic a prospective therapist can discuss. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking what approach the therapist will use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, and what rationale and evidence base they identify for that therapy.
Questions may include:
- What approach will you use?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale for the therapy and its evidence base?
The National Institute of Mental Health defines 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 also states that there are many types of psychotherapy and that therapies are often variations of an established approach.
Asking about an approach allows a prospective therapist to explain how treatment may proceed. Asking about rationale and evidence base invites the therapist to describe the basis they identify for the therapy. These are topics the National Institute of Mental Health includes for preliminary conversations.
Asking About Goals and Progress
The National Institute of Mental Health also suggests asking about the goals of therapy and how progress will be assessed. It includes asking what happens if the person receiving therapy or the therapist feels improvement is not occurring.
Possible questions include:
- What are the goals of therapy?
- How will progress be assessed?
- What happens if either of us feels improvement is not occurring?
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. The organization also states that rapport and trust are essential.
Checking Whether New Patients Are Being Accepted
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises people searching for support to look for a professional or program that is taking new patients. A direct question based on that search topic is: “Are you taking new patients?”
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also identifies open appointments or meetings that fit a person’s schedule, insurance acceptance or free or low-cost services, and qualities important to the person as search considerations.
A therapy search can include availability alongside questions about specialty, approach, goals, and progress. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that finding a health care professional or program can take work. It also states that a person might not find a perfect match right away and encourages looking for a professional or program they could open up to while working together.
Search Topics to Consider
The National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provide information that supports asking about topics such as:
- Whether a therapist has a specialty
- The approach a therapist may use
- Whether a therapist practices a particular type of therapy
- The rationale and evidence base described for a therapy
- Whether a professional or program is taking new patients
- Whether appointments or meetings fit a person’s schedule
- Fees, insurance acceptance, or free or low-cost services
- Therapy goals and how progress may be assessed
The National Institute of Mental Health also suggests asking about a therapist’s experience with a relevant age group and specific condition when applicable. It separately includes questions about whether medication is an option and whether a therapist can prescribe medication.
Reflection Questions for a Therapy Search
The following reflection questions draw on National Institute of Mental Health topics for preliminary conversations and on the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s search topic of finding a professional or program that is taking new patients.
| Reflection question | Question to ask a prospective therapist or program |
|---|---|
| Do I want information about a therapist’s specialty? | “Do you have a specialty?” |
| Do I want to understand the therapist’s approach? | “What approach will you use?” |
| Do I want information about a particular type of therapy? | “Do you practice a particular type of therapy?” |
| Do I want to ask about the basis for the therapy? | “What is the rationale and evidence base for that therapy?” |
| Do I need to know whether care is currently available? | “Are you taking new patients?” |
| Do I want to ask about goals and progress? | “What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed?” |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its website identifies Alina Hovsoyan. Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person care near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
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 through its contact details or form.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- Do you have a specialty?
- What approach will you use?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for that therapy?
- Are you taking new patients?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how will progress be assessed?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask a therapist whether they have a specialty?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking a prospective therapist whether they have a specialty.
Can I ask about a therapist’s approach?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health suggests asking what approach the therapist will use, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for that therapy.
Can I ask whether a therapist is taking new patients?
Yes. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises people looking for support to look for a professional or program that is taking new patients.
What does Rooted Integrative Therapy say about consultation calls?
Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
How can I contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
The Rooted Integrative Therapy Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through contact details or a form.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: Health Care Or Support
A Grounded Next Step
If you are choosing an individual therapist, you can ask Rooted Integrative Therapy whether it is taking new patients. You can also ask about specialty, approach, a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base described for therapy, goals, and progress assessment. The practice’s Connect page provides contact details and a form for inquiries and appointment requests.
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.