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Psychotherapy: meaning, definitions and examples

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psychotherapy

 

[ ˌsaɪkəʊˈθerəpi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mental health treatment

Psychotherapy is a type of treatment for mental health disorders that involves talking with a trained therapist. It aims to help individuals understand their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors, and develop coping strategies to deal with challenges in their lives. Psychotherapy can be provided in individual, group, or couples sessions.

Synonyms

counseling, talk therapy, therapy.

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Word Description / Examples
psychotherapy

Used in a formal context where the focus is on the treatment of mental health disorders through structured psychological methods. Often conducted by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist.

  • He has been undergoing psychotherapy for his anxiety
  • Psychotherapy has helped many people cope with their depression
counseling

Typically used in a broader range of settings including schools, workplaces, and community centers. It often focuses on providing guidance and support for personal issues and decision-making.

  • She went to counseling to help with her career decisions
  • The school provides counseling services for students
therapy

A general term that can include various types of therapeutic interventions, both mental and physical. Used broadly to describe treatment for improving mental health and well-being.

  • She started therapy to deal with her depression
  • Physical therapy helped him recover from his injury
talk therapy

Informal term for any type of therapy where speaking is the main mode of treatment. It emphasizes open conversation and may include various techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).

  • After the trauma, he found talk therapy very helpful
  • Talk therapy sessions have made a big difference in her life

Examples of usage

  • Many people find psychotherapy helpful in managing their anxiety and depression.
  • Childhood trauma survivors often benefit from psychotherapy to work through their past experiences.
  • Psychotherapy sessions may focus on identifying and changing negative thought patterns.

Translations

Translations of the word "psychotherapy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 psicoterapia

🇮🇳 मनोचिकित्सा

🇩🇪 Psychotherapie

🇮🇩 psikoterapi

🇺🇦 психотерапія

🇵🇱 psychoterapia

🇯🇵 心理療法 (shinri ryōhō)

🇫🇷 psychothérapie

🇪🇸 psicoterapia

🇹🇷 psikoterapi

🇰🇷 심리 치료 (simni chiryō)

🇸🇦 العلاج النفسي (al'ilaj alnafsiy)

🇨🇿 psychoterapie

🇸🇰 psychoterapia

🇨🇳 心理治疗 (xīnlǐ zhìliáo)

🇸🇮 psihoterapija

🇮🇸 sálfræðimeðferð

🇰🇿 психотерапия

🇬🇪 ფსიქოთერაპია (psikoterapia)

🇦🇿 psixoterapiya

🇲🇽 psicoterapia

Etymology

The term 'psychotherapy' originated in the late 19th century, combining the Greek words 'psyche' (mind) and 'therapeia' (healing). Sigmund Freud is often credited as one of the pioneers of modern psychotherapy with his development of psychoanalytic techniques. Over time, various approaches to psychotherapy have emerged, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and humanistic therapy.

See also: therapeutic.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,158, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.