What does therapy mean in 2019? Psychotherapy or simply “therapy” is a general term for treating mental health problems by talking with a mental health provider. It focuses on moods, feelings, thoughts and behaviors with the goal of positive responses to challenging situations and healthy coping skills.
The definition of the word therapy has changed over time. It came into use in English in the 1800’s from the Greek word therapeia meaning healing. The modern era for treating mental illness started in the 1960’s with the discovery of several helpful medications and cognitive therapy (a new technique of psychotherapy).
In the 2000’s the limitations of medicines and the advantages of cognitive therapy became much more clear. Perhaps the greatest advance was the discovery that short-term cognitive therapy could have a life-long positive impact (not something medications could duplicate).