Traits commonly associated with psychiatrists and therapists include empathy, respect, compassion, trustworthiness, knowledge and many more. But, curiosity is a virtue that is vital in mental health. This is especially true in helping those who feel unseen or misunderstood feel validated, seen, and invested in treatment.

In mental health care, the inquisitiveness and genuine interest a provider brings to a session can be transformative. Whether you're starting therapy or being prescribed medication for anxiety or depression, the depth and quality of the relationship with your provider directly impact the outcomes. But what is it about curiosity, or perhaps better described as genuine engagement, that makes such a difference?

What is Curiosity, and How Does It Impact Mental Health?

Curiosity isn’t just about asking questions. It’s a deep, active interest in understanding someone’s unique story and experience. Remembering client details and looking for patterns and links doesn't come from a disengaged brain. In fact  curiosity impacts memory and recall, and a study of medical students suggested that intellectual and social curiosity measures may be good predictors of their progress throughout training and the quality of the curriculum. Curious people are likely to ask more questions, identify mistakes, effectively problem solve and retain what they’ve learned.

In mental health care, curiosity fuels a deeper exploration into the factors that contribute to someone’s challenges and struggles. Studies show that curiosity, when paired with empathy, fosters better patient rapport and more personalized treatment plans​. According to research on engaged curiosity in clinical settings, providers who are genuinely invested in exploring their patients' experiences are more likely to form empathic connections. An inquisitive mind reduces the tendency to jump to conclusions and helps avoid the pitfalls of stereotyping, projecting, and naive sympathy. This may ultimately lead to better care.

Moving Beyond Quick Appointments: Why Time Matters

For many people an appointment with a genuinely engaged provider may feel strange.

Due to the complexity that comes with scheduling and potentially covering a wide range of concerns in a visit, it's understandable that the average visit may not yield lot of time to dive into someone's complex mental health background.

The average primary care visit in the U.S. is just 18 minutes​. Primary Care Providers, Family Health Doctors, and OBGYNs may prescribe medication to address symptoms of depression or anxiety, but often they choose to refer to a psychiatric specialist and therapists who have advanced training in this area of healthcare. With Mental Health the appointment time really matters.

Quick appointments may lead to incomplete diagnoses, and rushed treatment plans. Providers need more time to explore their patients' stories and address not just their symptoms but also the deeper issues that may be driving them.

Dr. Arif Noorbaksh, a psychiatrist at Therapath Mental Health, highlights this in his practice, “We spend the first part of the session verifying intake information. No one loves paperwork, but filling out forms ahead of time helps us use our sessions to gain depth. Using intake paperwork to identify your reasons for the appointment and current symptoms is a great starting point and can also feel empowering. In a first session there are many reasons why you may not immediately verbalize everything that's going on or think to share your whole health history. Getting it down on paper or a form is helpful. Then we can truly take the time after verifying the details on your intake to begin to truly collaborate on a comprehensive treatment plan.”

His focus on spending meaningful time with patients reflects the growing body of research that suggests bringing the patient into the decision making process for treatment planning can lead to increased satisfaction. But there is still work to be done to ensure medication is taken appropriately and treatment plans like therapy are followed.

Aiming for Collaboration is Ethical and Worth the Time

Ethical considerations in shared-decision making in mental health are debated, but overcoming obstacles to shared-decision making is considered the right step in promoting patient autonomy. It's the clinician's job to identify the best way to get the patient involved in understanding their options, making choices, and carrying out their plan. The first step is for the provider to become genuinely curious about what healing and wellness looks like for the person they are treating - from the patient or client's perspective.

A collaborative approach is intended to increase a person's feeling of investment in their own care, and also offset the potential pitfalls. Collaboration with patient may offset the pitfall of paternalism leading to feeling invalidated by a perceived mismatched power-dynamic in the provider-patient relationship. It also can combat consumerism in which the person is overly influenced by marketing of medications and pop culture healthcare trends interrupting their ability to trust that their provider supports what is best for their care.

Avoiding Assumptions Through Genuine Engagement

When providers make assumptions, critical information can be missed. This is where being deeply engaged—or curious—becomes crucial. A provider who listens actively and asks follow-up questions can prevent gaps in care and help build a treatment plan that is tailored to each individual's needs.

Susan Hogan, a licensed counselor, shares her approach: “You know yourself better than I do,” she tells her clients, highlighting the importance of collaboration and shared decision-making. By creating an environment where patients feel heard, Susan helps her clients uncover deeper truths about their experiences, which can lead to more effective care.

Building trust in mental health care doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process that unfolds over a series of appointments. Follow-up visits allow for tweaking treatment plans, adjusting medications, and exploring new areas of concern. This ongoing engagement leads to better long-term outcomes​

Dana Ebeling, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, explains how taking the time to understand her patients' past and present helps her create a holistic, individualized treatment plan. She says, “I want to take time to listen and make sure we’re addressing every aspect of your health.” This consistent, in-depth approach is key to ensuring that treatment remains effective and appropriate over time.

Multicultural Considerations for Having Patience with Patient's Response to Curiosity

Social relationships in life take time. So does the relationship with a provider. Rapport starts with the first appointment but it doesn't stop there. Not everyone is ready to 'spill the tea' on their life story. When talking to a psychiatrist or therapist a patient is being asked to trust a stranger with some of their most intimate thoughts and feelings. For many people it may be completely new to have someone ask personal questions and display genuine interest in their experience. Culture, age, gender and many other dynamics may create differences in regards to how a patient may think about mental health, view the power dynamic between their provider and themselves, and approach what healing and feeling better might actually look like.

And, that's perfectly ok.

Culture-centered mental health care acknowledges that people are affected not just by biology, individual experiences, and interpersonal relationships but also by larger systems. Getting a patient to open up requires patience, and rapport building. Life experiences should not be immediately pathologized, nor should behaviors especially when considered from a multicultural approach. "Quick scripts" models of care often miss critical pieces of cultural considerations failing to see the whole-person inside the context of their life and background.

It might take a few sessions to get a full scope of cultural differences, and understanding values. Becoming responsive and comfortable with someone else's curiosity can take time.

Your Provider May Want You to Practice Curiosity

When you have higher levels of self-curiosity, you might feel less self-aware, become more sensitive to others, introspect more, experience greater distress, and worry more about personal issues. Overall, this type of curiosity is closely related to other forms of curiosity and helps you understand how you reflect on and manage your inner life.

Curiosity Drives Better Care

Ultimately, whether you call it curiosity, engagement, or a genuine interest in understanding your story, this trait is critical to effective mental health care. Providers who spend the time asking the right questions, listening without judgment, and following up over time are the ones who will help you achieve the best outcomes.