What does psychotherapist mean?
A psychotherapist is a professional who practices psychotherapy, a form of treatment that uses the therapeutic relationship and methods such as dialogue, behavioral exercises, and coping strategies to address emotional, behavioral, and mental-health difficulties. The title is broad: in some countries it refers to a practitioner with a dedicated psychotherapy qualification, while in the United States it is often used for licensed counselors, marriage and family therapists, or psychologists who provide talk-based treatment. "Therapist" is the everyday equivalent, but "psychotherapist" gives somewhat more emphasis to the method and the practitioner’s training. Unlike a psychiatrist, a psychotherapist is not necessarily a physician, and the title does not by itself indicate medical authority or prescribing rights. The word is useful because it names the person delivering psychotherapy while leaving open the particular professional background, methods, and credentials that vary by setting and jurisdiction.
nounA professional who practices psychotherapy, using psychological and conversational methods to help people address emotional, behavioral, and mental-health difficulties.
- A practitioner of psychotherapy who helps clients identify, understand, and manage emotional, behavioral, or mental-health difficulties through therapeutic methods.
"After months of struggling with anxiety, she decided to see a psychotherapist."
"A psychotherapist helped him recognize patterns of anxiety that were affecting his work."
"The article describes how to choose a qualified psychotherapist without making claims about a particular treatment."
"Many psychotherapists combine talk-based sessions with practical exercises and homework."
The regular plural is used for two or more practitioners; the final "s" is pronounced.
"Two psychotherapists established a private practice together."
The title promises a method, not a medical degree: a psychotherapist may provide treatment without being licensed to prescribe medication.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does psychotherapist come from?
The word combines psychē, from Greek for "mind" or "soul," with therapeia, from Greek for "service," "care," or "treatment." English psychotherapy was established by the late nineteenth century, and psychotherapist emerged in the early twentieth century as professional labels developed around psychoanalysis and other talk-based treatments. Its relatives psychiatrist, psychological, and psychology preserve the same Greek elements, although they belong to different professional and grammatical branches.
Related word forms
How psychotherapist is actually used
In everyday use, "therapist" is often preferred as the shorter and less technical alternative. The professional backgrounds represented by "psychotherapist" vary considerably by jurisdiction and setting. In British English, "psychological therapist" is a common formal designation, while "counsellor" is frequently used for someone who provides talking therapies. The title does not necessarily imply medical training, and its regulatory status varies by country.
Easily confused with psychotherapist
A psychologist is trained in the scientific study of behavior and mental processes, whereas a psychotherapist specifically provides therapeutic treatment.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who may prescribe medication, while a psychotherapist focuses on psychological treatment and does not necessarily have medical training.