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 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Both psychotherapy and medication therapy are effective, but both need time to work, which is why a short-term treatment with clonazepam, or similar, is appropriate, with plans to get off that medicine when the other treatments become effective. 
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Help can come in the form of psychotherapy or counseling. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 This was one of the major limitations of the study, along with an inability to evaluate effects in different subgroups, such as women or those with psychiatric comorbidity, or to understand how psychotherapy and psilocybin interact. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 Less intensive psychotherapy and the treatment modalities known as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) also exist. Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 10 July 2022 Clayton had tried psychotherapy and an arsenal of traditional oral antidepressants over the years, but her severe depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations persisted. Raleigh Mcelvery, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022 The support and treatment for depression that the task force recommended at the time included antidepressants, psychotherapy, or both. Caroline Chirichella, Health.com, 21 Apr. 2022 In general, experts recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medication to help stabilize a person’s mood. Ashley Abramson, SELF, 11 Feb. 2022 Izenson remains one of jazz’s more curious characters, a future PhD in psychotherapy and co-founder of Potsmokers Anonymous, and a worthy foil for Coleman. Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2022 See More
Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Help can come in the form of psychotherapy or counseling. Laura Newberry, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 This was one of the major limitations of the study, along with an inability to evaluate effects in different subgroups, such as women or those with psychiatric comorbidity, or to understand how psychotherapy and psilocybin interact. Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 27 Aug. 2022 Less intensive psychotherapy and the treatment modalities known as CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy) also exist. Daphne Merkin, The Atlantic, 10 July 2022 Clayton had tried psychotherapy and an arsenal of traditional oral antidepressants over the years, but her severe depressive symptoms and suicidal ideations persisted. Raleigh Mcelvery, Smithsonian Magazine, 24 May 2022 The support and treatment for depression that the task force recommended at the time included antidepressants, psychotherapy, or both. Caroline Chirichella, Health.com, 21 Apr. 2022 In general, experts recommend a combination of psychotherapy and medication to help stabilize a person’s mood. Ashley Abramson, SELF, 11 Feb. 2022 Izenson remains one of jazz’s more curious characters, a future PhD in psychotherapy and co-founder of Potsmokers Anonymous, and a worthy foil for Coleman. Washington Post, 28 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
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