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
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While treatment such as medication and psychotherapy can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, these disorders are typically chronic and may require ongoing management to prevent and mitigate the recurrence of severe symptoms.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
To them, combining psychotherapy, mindfulness practices, exercise, and alternative therapies creates a rounded path to sustainable recovery.
—Kara Markley Sterling, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Holistic therapy also commonly pairs psychotherapy with animal therapy and creative arts therapy.2
What Is the Purpose of Therapy?
—Brittany Dube, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
Then two factors — the pandemic and the explosion of teletherapy — contributed to a sharp increase, with the number of adults receiving psychotherapy rising to 8.5 percent in 2021 from 6.5 percent in 2018.
—Ellen Barry, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
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Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
To them, combining psychotherapy, mindfulness practices, exercise, and alternative therapies creates a rounded path to sustainable recovery.
—Kara Markley Sterling, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
Holistic therapy also commonly pairs psychotherapy with animal therapy and creative arts therapy.2
What Is the Purpose of Therapy?
—Brittany Dube, Health, 25 Feb. 2025
Then two factors — the pandemic and the explosion of teletherapy — contributed to a sharp increase, with the number of adults receiving psychotherapy rising to 8.5 percent in 2021 from 6.5 percent in 2018.
—Ellen Barry, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for psychotherapy
Cite this Entry
“Psychotherapy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psychotherapy. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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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 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
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