Common Therapy Terms And What They Mean For You

If you’re exploring the possibility of therapy or if you’ve recently started attending sessions, you might come across certain therapy terms that are unfamiliar. Starting therapy can sometimes feel intimidating, and it can feel even more so if you’re not familiar with the jargon. It may be helpful to familiarize yourself with common therapy concepts and terms so you can better understand the language your therapist speaks and how they plan to help you. 

Learning these terms may also help you communicate better with mental health professionals while expressing your thoughts and goals for therapy. Continue reading to learn about common therapy terms, which may help you make the most out of your therapy experience. 

Common therapy terms

In the field of mental health and therapy, there are various terms used to describe different aspects of the treatment process. The following are some common therapy terms and their meanings. If you encounter other terms you aren’t familiar with, the American Psychological Association’s Dictionary of Psychology can be a helpful resource.

Affective disorder

Affective disorders, also called mood disorders, are mental health conditions that involve disruptions in mood or emotions such as depression or bipolar disorder, for example. These disorders can make it challenging for people to go about their daily lives and might require professional help to manage symptoms. For example, someone with depression might experience persistent feelings of sadness and low energy, making it difficult for them to engage in activities they usually enjoy.

Cognition

Cognition refers to the mental processes that help us understand and interact with our environment, including attention, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making. Various factors, including mental health disorders, can affect cognitive processes and may cause difficulties in daily functioning. 

Comorbidity

Comorbidity occurs when a person has more than one mental illness or condition simultaneously. For example, someone might experience both anxiety and depression at the same time. A person with a comorbidity may need a comprehensive treatment plan to manage various mental health symptoms.

Delusions

Delusions are false beliefs that are not based in reality. These beliefs can persist despite conflicting evidence. Delusions are common symptoms in psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. They can be distressing and confusing for those who experience them. Therapy may help address some of the underlying concerns that may cause delusions.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing mental health conditions may involve recognizing and classifying a person's symptoms based on well-established guidelines such as the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). After making a diagnosis, a therapist or other mental health professional can create a treatment plan. For example, a therapist might diagnose a student who has difficulty focusing and sitting still (among other symptoms) with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and then recommend a plan to help them manage it.

Dissociation

Dissociation occurs when a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions become separated, often due to traumatic experiences. Those who experience dissociation may feel disconnected from themselves or their surroundings. Therapy can help individuals reconnect and process their experiences. 

Dissonance

Dissonance, or cognitive dissonance, is the mental discomfort that arises when someone has conflicting beliefs, attitudes, or values. This discomfort can create internal conflict, which might motivate people to seek therapy to resolve these inconsistencies and become more self-aware. For instance, a person may feel dissonance if they believe in being honest but end up lying to a friend to avoid an awkward situation. Therapy can help the individual explore their beliefs and values to make more consistent choices.

Ego

In the field of psychoanalysis, the ego is the rational part of the mind that helps balance our instinctual desires (id) with societal expectations (superego). A therapist might discuss the ego when addressing the balance between personal wants and external demands. 

Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)

EFT is a type of counseling used for couples. It focuses on the importance of emotional connections and attachment within relationships. A major goal of EFT is to strengthen bonds between partners, making it helpful for couples facing relationship challenges or those striving to improve their emotional closeness.

Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and experience other people's feelings. In therapy, empathy is a skill that can help mental health professionals make clients feel heard and understood. Developing empathy can also benefit clients by helping them build stronger connections with others and improve their relationships.

Evidence-based therapy

Evidence-based therapy involves using therapeutic methods that have been scientifically tested and shown to be effective in treating specific mental health concerns. One example of an evidence-based treatment is cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety or depression. Using evidence-based approaches can help ensure that clients receive the most suitable and effective treatment for their individual needs.

Hallucination

Hallucinations are false sensory experiences, including seeing, hearing, or feeling something that isn't actually there. They are often linked to psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, for example. Treating hallucinations may involve a combination of medication and counseling to help manage symptoms.

Mental status examination

A mental status examination (MSE) is a thorough assessment used by mental health professionals to evaluate a client's thinking, emotions, and behavioral functioning. This exam can help therapists identify potential conditions. It can also help them create targeted ways to relieve symptoms and resolve underlying concerns.

Mood

Mood refers to a person's emotional state or general attitude at any given time, which can be influenced by internal factors (e.g., thoughts and feelings) and external factors (e.g., environment and relationships). Therapy can provide tools to help individuals balance their emotions. These tools might include relaxation techniques or strategies for reframing negative thought patterns.

Personality

Personality includes an individual's patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, which tend to stay consistent over time and in different situations. A client and therapist might explore personality in therapy to promote personal growth. For example, someone might discover that they are highly organized but lack flexibility in new situations.

Positive psychology

Positive psychology is a field of psychology that focuses on studying positive traits, emotions, and experiences. Incorporating positive psychology principles into therapy may help clients become more adaptable and lead a more satisfying life. For instance, a therapist might encourage a client to practice gratitude or set meaningful goals to boost their happiness.

Projection

Projection is a process in which someone places their own thoughts, feelings, or motives onto another person to avoid facing their own emotions. It is often used as a defense mechanism. In therapy, clients can come to an understanding of how they might be projecting. This can help them better understand their emotions and improve their relationships. For instance, a client may discover they've been blaming a friend for their own insecurities.

Psychodynamic therapy

Psychodynamic therapy is a therapeutic approach that explores the effects of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and motivations on a person's behavior and emotions. This type of therapy may help clients look at unresolved issues that may be affecting their mental health. Someone who undergoes psychodynamic therapy might uncover childhood experiences that contribute to their current relationship difficulties.

Repression

Repression is a defense mechanism where a person unconsciously hides upsetting thoughts, feelings, and memories. In therapy, clients can work through past experiences and learn ways to cope with upsetting emotions, thoughts, or feelings in healthier ways. For instance, a client might confront a past trauma that they've been avoiding, allowing them to heal and move forward in their life.

Self-esteem

Self-esteem refers to how much a person values themselves and sees themselves in a positive light, which can affect their mental health. Developing healthy self-esteem is often a goal in therapy since it can lead to increased confidence that can help individuals manage problems in their daily life.

Solution-focused therapy

Solution-focused therapy, also called solution-focused brief therapy, is an approach to therapy that can help people focus on their strengths and what they want to achieve. This type of therapy can also help individuals find solutions to problems instead of talking about the past. Solution-focused therapy can also help people feel more in control and reach their goals in a short amount of time.

Stress

Stress is the physical or psychological response to challenging events, situations, or triggers. Stress is a natural human reaction, but long-term stress can cause mental and physical health problems. Therapy can teach people strategies to help them manage stress and prevent its negative effects.

Therapeutic relationship

The bond between a therapist and client, known as the therapeutic relationship or therapeutic alliance, is considered a cornerstone of therapy. A strong, trusting relationship may help clients feel comfortable discussing their experiences and emotions, which could lead to better treatment outcomes. With open communication and active listening, a therapist and client can work together to promote positive change.

Transference

In therapy, transference happens when a client projects their feelings, thoughts, or expectations about someone important in their life onto the therapist, which may affect their therapeutic relationship. By managing the effects of transference, clients can learn about their ways of interacting with others and improve their relationships.

Unconscious

The unconscious is a part of the mind that holds thoughts, memories, and desires not currently in our conscious awareness but that still affect our behaviors and emotions. For example, a family therapist might help a client identify how unconscious thoughts, feelings, or actions may be affecting their relationships with other family members. 

Further help through online therapy

You may come across these terms in any kind of therapy session, whether in-person or online. For some people, it may be helpful to reach out to your therapist whenever questions arise, even if that is outside of therapy sessions. With online therapy through BetterHelp, you can use in-app messaging to ask your therapist questions at any time, and they will respond as soon as they can. 

Research has demonstrated the effectiveness of online therapy for a range of concerns. For instance, researchers conducted an overview of the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy (ICBT) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders and concluded that “ICBT is effective in the treatment and management of various psychiatric disorders”, including depression, social anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, substance use disorders, bipolar disorder, and OCD.

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.