Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy (also psychological therapy, talk therapy, or talking therapy) is the use of <a href="/facts/Psychology/duoqW7Sz">psychological</a> methods, particularly when based on regular <a href="/facts/Conversation/GNKD6xb3">personal interaction</a>, to help a person change behavior, increase happiness, and overcome problems. Psychotherapy aims to improve an individual's <a href="/facts/Well-being/h1dsU4VU">well-being</a> and <a href="/facts/Mental_health/QIszfk6D">mental health</a>, to resolve or mitigate troublesome behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or emotions, and to improve relationships and <a href="/facts/Social_skills/8W31BlvH">social skills</a>. Numerous types of psychotherapy have been designed either for individual adults, families, or children and adolescents. Some types of psychotherapy are considered <a href="/facts/Evidence-based/sU7RdtkN">evidence-based</a> for treating diagnosed <a href="/facts/Mental_disorder/EPNjFtFf">mental disorders</a>; other types have been criticized as <a href="/facts/Pseudoscience/kdNzoLeS">pseudoscience</a>.
There are hundreds of psychotherapy techniques, some being minor variations; others are based on very different conceptions of psychology. Most approaches involve one-to-one sessions, between the client and therapist, but some are conducted with <a href="/facts/Group_psychotherapy/BK7xQjCS">groups</a>, including <a href="/facts/Couples_therapy/NhRSaJJX">couples</a> and <a href="/facts/Family_therapy/ne5xehgd">families</a>.
Psychotherapists may be <a href="/facts/Mental_health_professional/DMHltcTu">mental health professionals</a> such as <a href="/facts/Psychiatrist/hS7EnAU6">psychiatrists</a>, <a href="/facts/Psychologist/J4l4QdX2">psychologists</a>, <a href="/facts/Mental_health_nurse/aD9hMe0U">mental health nurses</a>, <a href="/facts/Clinical_social_worker/5151hcsQ">clinical social workers</a>, <a href="/facts/Marriage_and_family_therapist/ne5xehgd">marriage and family therapists</a>, or <a href="/facts/Licensed_professional_counselor/QSs9G6f3">licensed professional counselors</a>. Psychotherapists may also come from a variety of other backgrounds, and depending on the <a href="/facts/Jurisdiction/0Kb8hao4">jurisdiction</a> may be legally regulated, voluntarily regulated or unregulated (and the term itself may be protected or not).

Psychotherapy open-in-new

Psychotherapy