psychotherapy

[sahy-koh-ther-uh-pee]

noun

plural

psychotherapies 

1. the treatment of psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique, as psychoanalysis, group therapy, or behavioral therapy.

psychotherapy

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪks, ˌsaɪkəʊˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. the treatment of nervous disorders by psychological methods

psychotherapy

1. The use of the techniques of psychology or psychiatry or both to treat mental and emotional disorders. The term includes psychoanalysis, as well as other forms of psychological therapy.

Other Word Forms

• psychotherapeutic adjective
• psychotherapist noun
• psychotherapeutically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of psychotherapy¹

First recorded in 1890–95; psycho- + therapy

Example Sentences

It offers combined strength training and psychotherapy, and prospective clients can refer themselves or be referred by social care workers and GPs.

From BBC

Before psychotherapy was de rigueur, the 1970s hit “The Bob Newhart Show” was the first comedy series whose lead character was a shrink.

From Los Angeles Times

The Eulas clinic in Hamilton opened under licence from Healthcare Improvement Scotland in September and charges £6,000 for a programme of four intravenous ketamine infusions and a course of psychotherapy.

From BBC

Ultimately, psychotherapy is about this same confrontation with self, although if these confrontations come on too strongly with psychedelics it may be too overwhelming to process, he said.

From Salon

Still, some believe they are inappropriately prescribed for too long, or in cases when lifestyle changes or psychotherapy should be tried first.

From Salon