# psychotherapist

/ˌsaɪkəˈθɛɹəpɪst/ (US) · /sˈaɪkəʊθˌɛɹəpˌɪst/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/psychotherapist
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

a professional who helps people deal with mental health problems and emotional difficulties. They use talking and listening to help patients feel better.

For teachers: a professional trained to treat mental health disorders and emotional distress through psychological methods. Often used to distinguish from psychiatrists, who may also prescribe medication.

## Examples

- She sees a psychotherapist once a week to talk about her stress.
- After the accident, he worked with a psychotherapist to manage his anxiety and regain his confidence.
- The clinic employs a team of psychotherapists who specialize in cognitive-behavioral techniques to help patients reframe their negative thought patterns over several months of structured sessions.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.