Kim DavisEvery field has its jargon, and therapy and mental health care is worse than most. This glossary covers the 37 terms that come up again and again in our guides and in the questions readers send us. Definitions are short on purpose: enough to unblock you, with links to deeper guides throughout the site when you want the full story.
Anxiety
A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something that might happen. It’s a normal human emotion, but when it becomes persistent and interferes with daily life, it may be considered an anxiety disorder.
Bipolar Disorder
A mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings between high periods (mania) and low periods (depression). People with bipolar disorder may experience changes in sleep, energy, and behavior during these episodes.
Burnout
A state of emotional and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, usually related to work or caregiving. Symptoms include fatigue, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness in your responsibilities.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A type of talk therapy that focuses on changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. The therapist helps you identify how your thoughts affect your feelings and actions, then works with you to develop healthier patterns.
Coping Skills
Strategies and techniques you use to manage stress, difficult emotions, or challenging situations. Examples include deep breathing, journaling, exercise, or talking with a friend.
Depression
A mental health condition marked by persistent sadness, loss of interest in activities, and feelings of hopelessness. Depression can affect sleep, appetite, energy levels, and concentration.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
A type of therapy that combines cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. It was originally developed for people with borderline personality disorder but is now used for other conditions.
Exposure Therapy
A treatment approach where you gradually face fears or situations you’ve been avoiding in a safe environment. The goal is to reduce anxiety and build confidence by learning that the feared situation is manageable.
Grounding Techniques
Methods used to bring your attention to the present moment and calm your nervous system during anxiety or panic. Common techniques include focusing on your five senses or feeling your feet on the ground.
Group Therapy
A therapeutic setting where a small group of people with similar challenges meet with one or more therapists. Sharing experiences with others facing similar issues can provide support and reduce isolation.
Hospitalization
Admission to a hospital for intensive mental health treatment when someone is in crisis or at risk of harm. This provides 24-hour care, medication management, and structured therapeutic support.
Insomnia
A sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early. Chronic insomnia can affect mood, concentration, and overall health.
Intake Assessment
The initial evaluation conducted by a mental health professional to understand your history, symptoms, and treatment goals. This helps the therapist create an appropriate treatment plan for you.
Intrusive Thoughts
Unwanted thoughts that pop into your mind repeatedly and cause distress. They’re common in anxiety disorders and OCD, but having them doesn’t mean you’ll act on them.
Mindfulness
The practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness techniques like meditation can help reduce stress and increase awareness of your thoughts and feelings.
Mood Tracking
The practice of regularly recording your emotional state and any factors that influenced it. This helps identify patterns in your mood and can be useful information to share with your therapist.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
A condition involving unwanted, intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions). People with OCD often recognize these patterns are irrational but feel unable to stop them.
Panic Attack
A sudden episode of intense fear or anxiety with physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, and difficulty breathing. Panic attacks typically peak within minutes and are not dangerous, though they feel frightening.
Panic Disorder
A condition where someone experiences repeated panic attacks and becomes anxious about having future attacks. This fear can limit daily activities and quality of life.
Psychosis
A mental state where someone loses touch with reality, experiencing hallucinations or delusions. Psychosis can occur in several conditions and requires professional evaluation and treatment.
Psychotherapist
A mental health professional trained to provide therapy using psychological methods. The term can include psychologists, licensed counselors, and licensed clinical social workers.
PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
A condition that develops after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance, and hypervigilance.
Psychiatrist
A medical doctor who specializes in mental health and is qualified to prescribe medication. Psychiatrists can also provide therapy, though many focus primarily on medication management.
Psychologist
A mental health professional with advanced training in psychology who conducts assessments and provides therapy. Psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree but cannot prescribe medication in most states.
Relapse
A return of symptoms or a return to unhealthy behaviors after a period of improvement. Planning for relapse prevention is an important part of treatment.
Resilience
The ability to recover and adapt after facing stress, difficulty, or adversity. Building resilience is a key goal in mental health treatment.
Schizophrenia
A serious mental illness characterized by symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech, and difficulty with motivation. Treatment typically involves medication and therapy.
Self-Care
Activities and habits you practice to maintain your physical and mental well-being. Examples include exercise, healthy eating, sleep, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones.
Cognitive Distortion
A pattern of thinking that is inaccurate or exaggerated and often makes you feel worse. Common examples include catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, and overgeneralization.
Therapist
A trained mental health professional who provides talk therapy and counseling. Therapists help you understand and work through emotional, behavioral, and life challenges.
Therapeutic Alliance
The trusting, collaborative relationship between a therapist and client. A strong therapeutic alliance is important for effective treatment outcomes.
Trauma
A deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have lasting psychological effects. Trauma can result from accidents, violence, loss, or other overwhelming events.
Trigger
A person, place, situation, or sensation that brings back distressing memories or emotions. Identifying triggers helps you develop strategies to manage your response.
Validation
Acknowledging and accepting someone’s feelings or experiences as understandable and legitimate. Validation is a key therapeutic technique that helps people feel heard.
Wellness Plan
A personalized strategy that outlines healthy habits and coping tools you’ll use to maintain mental health. It might include exercise, sleep goals, therapy appointments, and other self-care practices.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
A structured program that combines mindfulness meditation and yoga to reduce stress and improve well-being. It’s typically taught in an eight-week format.
Medication Management
The process of working with a psychiatrist or doctor to find the right psychiatric medication and dosage for your condition. This involves regular check-ins to monitor effectiveness and side effects.