Quick Overview: Personal needs can be part of choosing a treatment plan. The National Institute of Mental Health states that 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 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration identifies empowerment, voice, and choice as principles of trauma-informed programs, organizations, and systems. These sources do not determine which therapy approach fits a particular person or whether a specific service uses a trauma-informed approach.
Personal Needs and a Therapy Approach
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 describes psychotherapy and medication as common forms of mental-health treatment.
A therapy approach is one topic that may arise when treatment is being considered. The National Institute of Mental Health states that choosing a treatment plan is based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation. It also states that this choice should occur under the guidance of a mental-health professional.
This article cannot identify a reader’s individual needs, determine a treatment plan, or establish whether a particular therapy approach is appropriate for any person. General education can describe published information and identify questions that the National Institute of Mental Health names for a preliminary conversation.
Approaches may differ by training and the person receiving treatment
The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. According to the same source, the approach used can depend on the therapist’s training and experience, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
The source also lists examples of elements that psychotherapy can include. These include examining automatic ways of thinking, identifying ways to cope with stress and develop problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques, tracking emotions and behaviors, and using supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
These examples are descriptions from the National Institute of Mental Health. They do not establish what any individual therapist provides, what a particular service includes, or what will occur in a consultation or therapy session.
Preliminary conversations can address published questions
The National Institute of Mental Health states that a preliminary conversation may help a person understand how treatment will proceed and whether they feel comfortable with the therapist. It lists questions about whether a therapist has a specialty, what approach the therapist will use, whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy, and the rationale and evidence base for the therapy.
The source also names questions about therapy goals, a recommended time frame or number of sessions, how progress will be assessed, and what may happen if improvement is not occurring. Whether these topics are addressed by a particular practice is a matter to ask directly.
Voice, Choice, and Collaboration
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration describes a trauma-informed approach in relation to programs, organizations, and systems. It states that such an approach recognizes the widespread impact of trauma, recognizes signs and symptoms of trauma, and responds by integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices while seeking to resist retraumatization.
The same organization identifies empowerment, voice, and choice as principles of a trauma-informed approach. Its description says that organizations foster a belief in the primacy of the people they serve to heal and promote recovery from trauma.
Collaboration and mutuality are named principles
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also identifies collaboration and mutuality as principles of a trauma-informed approach. It describes these principles as placing importance on partnering and reducing power differences between staff and service participants.
These principles describe the organization’s account of trauma-informed programs, organizations, and systems. They do not establish that every therapy practice uses a trauma-informed approach, that any particular therapist works in this way, or that a particular approach will fit a particular person.
A person may ask a practice whether it describes its services using trauma-informed principles. The available sources do not establish what answer any practice will provide.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives among its services. The practice lists in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. These details do not determine fit for an individual person.
Reflection Questions Before a Consultation
The questions below are prompts for reflection. They do not identify personal needs, recommend a therapy approach, or assume that a consultation will provide a particular answer.
| Reflection question | Research-note context |
|---|---|
| What would I like to ask about a therapist’s approach? | The National Institute of Mental Health lists the therapist’s approach as a possible topic for a preliminary conversation. |
| Do I want to ask whether the therapist practices a particular type of therapy? | The National Institute of Mental Health includes this among its suggested questions. |
| What would I like to know about the rationale and evidence base for an approach? | The National Institute of Mental Health identifies the rationale and evidence base as possible questions. |
| What does the phrase “voice and choice” mean in SAMHSA’s description? | SAMHSA identifies empowerment, voice, and choice as principles of a trauma-informed approach. |
| What service information would I like to confirm with Rooted Integrative Therapy? | The practice lists individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- What approach do you use in individual therapy?
- Do you practice a particular type of therapy?
- What is the rationale and evidence base for the approach you use?
- What are the goals of therapy, and how is progress assessed?
- What information can you share about the services listed by Rooted Integrative Therapy?
- What information can you share about in-person therapy near Orem and Provo or virtual therapy across Utah?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can personal needs shape a therapy approach?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that choosing a treatment plan is based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation. It also states that therapists may use one approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches depending on training, the condition being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment. This information does not determine what fits a particular reader.
What do voice and choice mean in the SAMHSA source?
SAMHSA identifies empowerment, voice, and choice as principles of a trauma-informed approach for programs, organizations, and systems. It also identifies collaboration and mutuality, describing them as partnering and reducing power differences between staff and service participants.
Does Rooted Integrative Therapy offer individual therapy?
Rooted Integrative Therapy lists individual therapy among its services. It also lists couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives.
How can someone contact Rooted Integrative Therapy?
The practice’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests using its contact details or form. Its FAQs describe a consultation call as a 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: Trauma-Informed Approaches and Programs
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests. The practice’s FAQs describe a consultation call as a first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider 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.