psychotherapy

psychotherapy definition - medical

psy·cho·ther·a·py (sīˌkō-thĕrˈə-pē)

noun
The treatment of mental and emotional disorders through the use of psychological techniques designed to encourage communication of conflicts and insight into problems, with the goal being personality growth and behavior modification. Also called psychotherapeutics.

Related Forms:

  • psyˌcho·therˌa·peuˈtic (-pyo͞oˈtĭk) adjective

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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