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

psychotherapist

ˌsī-kō-ˈther-ə-pist 

noun

Examples of psychotherapy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the early 1990s, the FDA approved the first human trial that looked at whether MDMA could relieve pain for those who were facing terminal illness, or help as a treatment with psychotherapy. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 5 June 2024

In the 1990s, the FDA approved the first human trial examining use of MDMA to relieve pain in terminally patients as well as being used in combination with psychotherapy. —Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 4 June 2024

This is an issue for MDMA, which has explicitly been tested alongside psychotherapy. —Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 31 May 2024

After the panel votes, drugmaker Lykos Therapeutics says the FDA is expected to make a decision by Aug. 11 on whether to approve its approach for patients with PTSD: a four-month course of MDMA combined with psychotherapy. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 31 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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