Quick Overview: You can identify the qualities that matter to you and use a preliminary conversation to learn how treatment may proceed. The National Institute of Mental Health states that rapport and trust are essential in therapy, and that a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how treatment may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration advises looking for qualities that matter to you and for a professional or program you may be able to open up to over time. These sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual.
Choosing an individual therapy provider can involve learning about a provider’s approach, asking questions, and considering the qualities that matter to you. This article reflects information from the National Institute of Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It does not determine whether a particular provider, approach, or program is right for you.
What Comfort, Rapport, and Trust Mean in This Search
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 states that therapists can have different professional backgrounds and specialties. A therapist’s approach may depend on training, experience, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
For someone considering a therapist, NIMH identifies rapport and trust as essential. It also states that discussions in therapy are deeply personal and that it is important to feel comfortable with the therapist and have confidence in their expertise.
A Preliminary Conversation Can Provide Relevant Information
NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. According to NIMH, these conversations may take place in person, by phone, or virtually.
NIMH identifies topics a person may ask about during a preliminary conversation. These include a therapist’s specialty, the approach the therapist may use, the rationale and evidence base for that approach, therapy goals, a recommended time frame, and how progress may be assessed.
Qualities Important to You Are Part of the Search
SAMHSA advises people seeking support to look for treatment or support that includes qualities important to them. Its guidance also says to look for a professional or program a person may be able to open up to as they work together.
SAMHSA does not provide one universal list of qualities that should matter most. It notes that a person might not find a perfect match right away and that relationships can take time to build. NIMH and SAMHSA do not provide a single conversation, question, or quality that determines personal fit.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
NIMH suggests asking prospective therapists about their specialty, approach, goals, time frame, and progress assessment. The following questions reflect those topics:
- What specialty or experience do you bring to individual therapy?
- What approach would you use, and what is the rationale and evidence base for that approach?
- What goals would guide therapy?
- Do you recommend a particular time frame for therapy?
- How would progress be assessed?
NIMH also suggests asking about treatment fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale availability when those topics are relevant. Whether a specific provider offers any of these options is a question to ask that provider or program directly.
Practical Considerations May Also Matter
SAMHSA includes practical considerations in its guidance for finding support. It advises looking for treatment or support that 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 important to that person.
These are areas SAMHSA says people may consider during a search. They do not describe what a specific practice offers. NIMH likewise recommends asking a prospective therapist about fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale availability when relevant.
A Question-Based Reflection Table
The questions below correspond with topics identified by NIMH and SAMHSA.
| Reflection question | Related source-based topic |
|---|---|
| Which qualities matter to me in a provider or program? | SAMHSA advises looking for qualities that are important to you. |
| What did I learn about how treatment may proceed? | NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help explain how treatment may proceed. |
| What approach did the therapist describe? | NIMH suggests asking about the therapist’s approach. |
| Was the rationale and evidence base for the approach discussed? | NIMH includes this among suggested questions. |
| What goals, time frame, and progress assessment were discussed? | NIMH suggests asking about these parts of therapy. |
| Do I feel comfortable with the therapist and have confidence in their expertise? | NIMH identifies comfort, rapport, trust, and confidence in expertise as important. |
NIMH states that a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how treatment may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. SAMHSA says a person may be able to open up to a professional or program over time. Neither source determines what fit or results will be for a particular person.
FAQs
How can I decide whether I feel comfortable with a therapy provider?
NIMH states that rapport and trust are essential in therapy. It says a preliminary conversation can help someone understand how treatment may proceed and whether they feel comfortable with a therapist. SAMHSA also advises seeking a professional or program a person may be able to open up to over time.
What qualities should I look for in a therapy provider?
SAMHSA advises looking for treatment or support that includes qualities important to you. Its guidance does not establish one set of qualities that fits every person.
What can I ask during a preliminary conversation?
NIMH suggests asking about specialty, approach, the approach’s rationale and evidence base, goals, time frame, progress assessment, fees, insurance acceptance, and sliding-scale availability when relevant.
Does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer a consultation call?
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Where does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer services?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists in-person services near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its consultation information describes a consultation call as 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: Health Care Or Support
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to ask about Rooted Integrative Therapy’s services or request an appointment, the practice’s Connect page invites inquiries through its contact details or form.
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.