“+ noun
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary psych- + therapy
1.
a. : treatment of mental or emotional disorder or maladjustment by psychological means especially involving verbal communication (as in psychoanalysis, nondirective psychotherapy, reeducation, hypnosis, or prestige suggestion)
b. : a particular school or method (as Freudian psychoanalysis) of psychotherapy
the bewildering proliferation of self-improvement manuals and popular psychotherapies — R.D. Rosen
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