Quick Overview: Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can address difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work. Its description of psychotherapy includes identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. These broad descriptions do not establish what a particular therapist will include or what an individual result will be.
Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Difficulties coping with situations at home, school, or work are among the specific issues named in its overview.
What National Sources Say About Psychotherapy and Coping
Psychotherapy may address coping in specific settings
The National Institute of Mental Health identifies difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work as an issue psychotherapy may address. It also states that psychotherapy can be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options.
The same source describes several possible elements of psychotherapy. These include identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies. It also lists examining interactions with others and teaching social and communication skills; applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises; tracking emotions and behaviors; and supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
These are examples in a national overview, not a description of a particular service. The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on their training, the issue being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
Therapy and counseling may focus on healthy coping skills
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. Its overview gives examples of concerns that may be part of this focus, including handling the loss of a loved one, drug or alcohol use, or a problem in a relationship.
SAMHSA also states that therapy and counseling can help a person better understand the core cause of their thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns. This is a general description of therapy and counseling, not a statement about every approach, therapist, or individual experience.
What These Descriptions Do Not Establish
A general overview cannot describe an individual course of therapy
The national sources describe broad purposes and possible elements of psychotherapy, therapy, and counseling. They do not establish what a particular therapist will recommend, which methods a particular service will use, how treatment will proceed, or what result a person will experience.
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that therapists have different professional backgrounds and specialties. It states that a therapist’s approach depends on training and experience and on the issue being treated. For someone considering therapy for challenging situations, this is a useful boundary: national information can identify topics that therapy may address, while a direct conversation can clarify a therapist’s approach.
Questions can clarify an approach
The National Institute of Mental Health recommends asking a prospective therapist about the approach they use, whether they practice a particular type of therapy, the rationale and evidence base for the approach, goals of therapy, how progress will be assessed, and what happens if treatment does not seem to be helping.
Its overview also states that a preliminary conversation can help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. That conversation may happen in person, by phone, or virtually, according to the source.
Reflection Questions Connected to the Source Topics
The questions below reflect topics named by the National Institute of Mental Health and SAMHSA. They do not determine what therapy will include or what type of care is appropriate.
| Reflection question | Source topic connected to the question |
|---|---|
| Which situations at home, school, or work am I considering discussing? | Difficulty coping with situations in these settings is named by the National Institute of Mental Health. |
| What coping with stress or problem-solving strategies would I like to ask about? | The National Institute of Mental Health lists coping with stress and problem-solving strategies as possible elements of psychotherapy. |
| What thoughts or behaviors would I like to understand better? | SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling can help a person better understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors. |
| What questions do I have about a therapist’s approach? | The National Institute of Mental Health recommends asking about approach, rationale, and evidence base. |
| What would I want to know about how treatment may proceed? | The National Institute of Mental Health identifies this as a topic for a preliminary conversation. |
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy services and contact options
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, is listed by the practice.
The practice offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form.
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Questions about approach, services, and next steps
A consultation call is described by Rooted Integrative Therapy as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions to consider include:
- How do you describe the approach you use in therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for your approach?
- How might treatment proceed for the concern I want to discuss?
- Which listed service should I ask about?
- How do you assess progress in therapy?
FAQs
Can psychotherapy address difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can address difficulty coping with situations at home, school, or work.
Can problem-solving strategies be part of psychotherapy?
They may be. The National Institute of Mental Health lists identifying ways to cope with stress and developing problem-solving strategies among possible elements of psychotherapy.
What does SAMHSA say about coping skills in therapy and counseling?
SAMHSA states that therapy and counseling are usually focused on developing healthy skills to cope. It also states that they can help a person better understand the core cause of thoughts and behaviors so they can change unhealthy patterns.
Does this information describe every therapist or service?
No. The national sources provide general descriptions. They do not establish the approach, content, or result of a particular therapist’s services.
How can I contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as the first step, with 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: Types Of Treatment
A Grounded Next Step
If you would like to make an inquiry, visit the Rooted Integrative Therapy Connect page. 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.