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

Patients need to be carefully monitored, and treatment is typically accompanied by psychotherapy to process the hallucinogenic experience. —Lisa Jarvis, Twin Cities, 13 May 2026

Smith is two years into a three-year transactional analysis (TA) psychotherapy course at Greenbank Academy in the south of Liverpool. —James Pearce, New York Times, 12 May 2026

Katherine worked in private practice as a licensed clinical social worker and also part-time at the clinic Amae Health to provide community outreach, family support groups, peer support and psychotherapy. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 10 May 2026

Support groups were around well before psychotherapy. —Barton Goldsmith, AJC.com, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for psychotherapy

• brachytherapy
• chemotherapy
• cryotherapy
• hydrotherapy
• hypnotherapy
• monotherapy
• phototherapy
• sclerotherapy
• immunotherapy
• pharmacotherapy
• physiotherapy
• radiotherapy

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