psychotherapy

American  

[sahy-koh-ther-uh-pee] / ˌsaɪ koʊˈθɛr ə pi /

noun

plural

psychotherapies

1. the treatment of psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique, as psychoanalysis, group therapy, or behavioral therapy.

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psychotherapy British  

/ ˌsaɪkəʊˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪks, ˌsaɪkəʊˈθɛrəpɪ /

noun

1. the treatment of nervous disorders by psychological methods

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psychotherapy Cultural  

1. The use of the techniques of psychology or psychiatry or both to treat mental and emotional disorders. The term includes psychoanalysis, as well as other forms of psychological therapy.

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Other Word Forms

• psychotherapeutic adjective
• psychotherapeutically adverb
• psychotherapist noun

Etymology

Origin of psychotherapy

First recorded in 1890–95; psycho- + therapy

Compare meaning

How does psychotherapy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• psychoanalysis vs. psychotherapy

Example Sentences

Earlier studies have already suggested that physical activity compares favorably with psychotherapy and medication for reducing symptoms.

From Science Daily • Feb. 16, 2026

But, he adds, there is a "spectrum" of schools, with some incorporating psychotherapy for students and training for parents, or disciplining staff who carry out corporal punishment.

From BBC • Dec. 11, 2025

Yet I’ve seen it in my own psychotherapy practice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025

Medical guidelines in the U.S. generally recommend psychotherapy, medication or a combination to treat mild or moderate depression.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 19, 2025

It should be stressed that Skulason was not “Bobby’s psychiatrist,” as has been implied in the general press, nor did he offer Bobby any analysis or psychotherapy.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady