Psychotherapy and therapy are closely related terms, but they are not always the same. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right kind of support for your mental health needs.
What is Psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a form of talk therapy provided by a licensed mental health professional. It involves evidence-based techniques to treat mental health disorders, emotional challenges, and behavioral issues. Common types of psychotherapy include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Psychotherapy typically focuses on long-term improvement by exploring thoughts, emotions, and patterns of behavior. It is often used to treat conditions like:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Trauma and PTSD
- OCD
- Bipolar disorder
What is Therapy?
“Therapy” is a broader, more general term. It may refer to:
- Psychotherapy (as described above)
- Counseling (such as career, grief, or relationship counseling)
- Supportive talk therapy without a clinical diagnosis
- Complementary therapies (like art therapy or music therapy)
In everyday language, many people say “therapy” when they mean “psychotherapy,” and that’s perfectly okay. However, from a clinical perspective, psychotherapy involves formal diagnosis and treatment, while therapy can include supportive or non-clinical interventions.In summary:
Psychotherapy is a clinical, structured form of therapy for mental health conditions.
Therapy is a general term that may include psychotherapy or other types of emotional support.