psychotherapy
noun
psy·cho·ther·a·py
ˌsī-kō-ˈther-ə-pē 
: treatment of mental or emotional disorder or of related bodily ills by psychological means
Examples of psychotherapy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Like many of Phillips’s previous works, this roving collection of writings fuses the lexicon of psychotherapy with literary criticism to upend conventional ideas about common emotional experiences—among them repression, longing, and loss.
—
The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
There’s good evidence that psychotherapy and other forms of mental health treatment can help people with IBD.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
Become a Subscriber Among those who can afford it, regular psychotherapy is often viewed as a lifelong project, like working out or going to the dentist.
—Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
What about psychotherapy, which is so prominent in much of the Western world?
—Tyler Cowen, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024
This week investigators in Finland said Moreno-tracing helped reveal the identity of a hacker who allegedly attacked psychotherapy company Vastaamo in 2020, stealing thousands of patient records and threatening to leak them unless people paid a ransom.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2024
Anxiety and depression can both be treated with psychotherapy and medications.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2024
Traditionally, psychiatrists provided psychotherapy as well, but that’s more rare these days.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Its use in psychotherapy has been explored for decades.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2023
The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024
There’s good evidence that psychotherapy and other forms of mental health treatment can help people with IBD.
—Markham Heid, TIME, 9 Feb. 2024
Become a Subscriber Among those who can afford it, regular psychotherapy is often viewed as a lifelong project, like working out or going to the dentist.
—Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 5 Feb. 2024
What about psychotherapy, which is so prominent in much of the Western world?
—Tyler Cowen, The Mercury News, 6 Jan. 2024
This week investigators in Finland said Moreno-tracing helped reveal the identity of a hacker who allegedly attacked psychotherapy company Vastaamo in 2020, stealing thousands of patient records and threatening to leak them unless people paid a ransom.
—Matt Burgess, WIRED, 3 Feb. 2024
Anxiety and depression can both be treated with psychotherapy and medications.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 31 Jan. 2024
Traditionally, psychiatrists provided psychotherapy as well, but that’s more rare these days.
—Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023
Its use in psychotherapy has been explored for decades.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 14 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'psychotherapy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near psychotherapy
Cite this Entry
“Psychotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychotherapy. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
psychotherapy
noun
psy·cho·ther·a·py
ˌsī-kō-ˈther-ə-pē
: treatment of mental or emotional disorder or of related bodily illnesses by psychological means
Medical Definition
psychotherapy
noun
psy·cho·ther·a·py
ˌsī-kō-ˈther-ə-pē
plural psychotherapies
1
: treatment of mental or emotional disorder or maladjustment by psychological means especially involving verbal communication (as in psychoanalysis, nondirective psychotherapy, reeducation, or hypnosis)
2
: any alteration in an individual's interpersonal environment, relationships, or life situation brought about especially by a qualified therapist and intended to have the effect of alleviating symptoms of mental or emotional disturbance
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