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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
Personalized healthcare can vary greatly from solution to solution and can include things such as massage therapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, exercise classes, nutrition plans and more.
—John Graham Harper, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024
Most research also pairs psychedelic drugs with some form of therapy or facilitation, and as the FDA has made clear, its role is to assess drugs, not the psychotherapies that might go along with them.
—Benjamin Y. Fong, Discover Magazine, 16 Aug. 2024
Some companies are already using psychedelics purely as a drug therapy, rather than to assist psychotherapy, including the two aiming to treat depression with psilocybin.
—Bykai Kupferschmidt, science.org, 12 Aug. 2024
Having a completely new way to address these conditions, in addition to psychotherapy and medications, could eventually help more people to find interventions that work for them, and could even help more people experience more durable success in managing their mental illness.
—Alice Park, TIME, 24 Oct. 2024
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Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
circa 1890, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near psychotherapy
Cite this Entry
“Psychotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychotherapy. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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
More from Merriam-Webster on psychotherapy
Nglish: Translation of psychotherapy for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of psychotherapy for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about psychotherapy
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