Vocabulary Words Every Therapist Should Know

Therapist

Definition: A trained professional who helps people with mental health issues.

• She visits a therapist to talk about her feelings.
• The therapist gave him strategies to cope with stress.
• Many people find therapy helpful for their well-being.

Therapist in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Talk

Definition: To speak with someone.

• I love to talk with my friends.
• Can we talk about the project later?
• She talks to her parents every day.

Talk in a sentence

Listen

Definition: To pay attention to sound or someone speaking.

• Please listen carefully to the instructions.
• I like to listen to music while I study.
• It is important to listen to our friends when they talk.

Listen in a sentence

Feel

Definition: To sense or experience something.

• I feel happy today.
• She felt cold in the winter.
• He feels tired after running.

Feel in a sentence

Think

Definition: to use your mind to consider or reason

• I like to think about different solutions to problems.
• She needs time to think before deciding.
• He often thinks about his future plans.

Think in a sentence

Happy

Definition: Feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.

• I feel happy when I play outside.
• She was happy to see her friends.
• They were happy about the surprise party.

Happy in a sentence

Sad

Definition: Feeling unhappy or sorrowful.

• I felt sad when my friend moved away.
• It's okay to feel sad sometimes.
• The movie made me sad at the end.

Sad in a sentence

Problem

Definition: A situation that is difficult or unsatisfactory.

• She faced a problem with her homework.
• Finding a solution to a problem can be challenging.
• He is good at identifying problems quickly.

Problem in a sentence

Friend

Definition: A person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection.

• My best friend is someone I can trust.
• I love spending time with my friends after school.
• Friends support each other in tough times.

Friend in a sentence

Family

Definition: A group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

• Her family gathered for a reunion every summer.
• He values spending time with his family.
• Understanding family dynamics is essential for social relationships.

Family in a sentence

Support

Definition: To help or provide assistance to someone or something.

• Friends should support each other.
• The community came together to support the event.
• We need to support local businesses.

Support in a sentence

Care

Definition: To look after someone or something; to be concerned about.

• I care about my family and friends.
• Please take care of your pets.
• The doctor will care for the patients.

Care in a sentence

Change

Definition: To make something different; the act of becoming different.

• She decided to change her hairstyle.
• He likes to change his routine every month.
• Change is a natural part of life.

Change in a sentence

Learn

Definition: To gain knowledge or skills through study or experience.

• I want to learn how to play the guitar.
• We learn new words every week in class.
• She loves to learn about different cultures.

Learn in a sentence

Safe

Definition: Free from harm or danger.

• It is important to keep our home safe.
• Always wear a helmet to stay safe while biking.
• This is a safe place for kids to play.

Safe in a sentence

Good

Definition: Of high quality; positive.

• She did a good job on the test.
• This is a good book to read.
• They are good friends.

Good in a sentence

Bad

Definition: not good; of poor quality

• That was a bad movie; I didn’t enjoy it.
• He made a bad decision that he regretted later.
• The weather was bad, so we stayed indoors.

Bad in a sentence

Hope

Definition: A feeling of wanting something good to happen.

• I have hope that we will win the game.
• She holds onto hope for a better future.
• Hope can keep us motivated during tough times.

Hope in a sentence

Love

Definition: A strong feeling of affection.

• I love my family very much.
• She loves to read books.
• They show love by helping each other.

Love in a sentence

Therapy

Definition: treatment to help someone improve

• He went to therapy for his anxiety.
• Art therapy can help express feelings.
• She believes in the benefits of therapy.

Therapy in a sentence

Patient

Definition: Able to wait without getting angry.

• She is very patient with her students.
• It's important to be patient when learning.
• He waited patiently for his turn.

Patient in a sentence

Feeling

Definition: an emotional state or reaction

• She had a feeling of joy when she received the news.
• His feeling of sadness was evident after the loss.
• Understanding feelings helps in emotional intelligence.

Feeling in a sentence

Mind

Definition: The part of a person that thinks and feels.

• I need to clear my mind.
• He has a creative mind.
• What's on your mind today?

Mind in a sentence

Trust

Definition: A firm belief in the reliability or truth of someone or something.

• I trust my friends to keep my secrets.
• They built a trust over many years.
• She has trust in her teacher's guidance.

Trust in a sentence

Stress

Definition: A feeling of pressure or worry; tension.

• She feels stress when studying for exams.
• Exercise helps reduce stress.
• He talked about his stress with a friend.

Stress in a sentence

Relax

Definition: To become less tense or anxious; to rest.

• I like to relax by reading a book.
• After a long day, it's important to relax.
• She listens to music to help her relax.

Relax in a sentence

Goal

Definition: An aim or desired result that one works towards.

• My goal is to finish reading this book by next week.
• Setting a goal helps me stay focused.
• He scored a goal in the soccer game.

Goal in a sentence

Plan

Definition: A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something; a strategy or outline.

• They made a plan for their vacation next summer.
• Having a plan helps organize thoughts and actions.
• She wrote a plan for her science project.

Plan in a sentence

Mental

Definition: Related to the mind or thinking; involving cognitive processes.

• Mental health is important for overall well-being.
• She practices meditation for mental clarity.
• He is studying mental mathematics in school.

Mental in a sentence

Health

Definition: The state of being free from illness or injury.

• Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your health.
• Regular exercise helps improve your health.
• We should take care of our mental health as well.

Health in a sentence

Emotional

Definition: related to feelings or moods

• The movie was very emotional, making her cry.
• He expressed his emotional response to the news.
• She felt emotional when talking about her family.

Emotional in a sentence

Feelings

Definition: Emotions or sensations.

• He expressed his feelings honestly.
• Her feelings were hurt by the comment.
• Understanding your feelings is important for well-being.

Feelings in a sentence

Coping

Definition: The process of dealing with difficult emotions or situations.

• Coping strategies can help during tough times.
• She is coping well after her loss.
• Effective coping mechanisms are essential for mental health.

Coping in a sentence

Behavior

Definition: The way a person or animal acts; actions and reactions.

• His behavior in class is always positive.
• She studies animal behavior in her research.
• They discussed appropriate behavior during the meeting.

Behavior in a sentence

Anxiety

Definition: A feeling of worry or nervousness about something.

• He felt anxiety before the big exam.
• She deals with anxiety by practicing deep breathing.
• The movie made her feel a sense of anxiety.

Anxiety in a sentence

Communication

Definition: The process of sharing information between people.

• Good communication is key to teamwork.
• We use different methods of communication, like texting.
• Effective communication helps prevent misunderstandings.

Communication in a sentence

Relationship

Definition: The way in which two or more people are connected.

• They have a close relationship as siblings.
• Building a good relationship takes time.
• Friendship is an important type of relationship.

Relationship in a sentence

Goals

Definition: Desired outcomes or achievements.

• Setting goals helps you stay focused.
• She has academic goals for this school year.
• His goals include learning a new language.

Process

Definition: A series of actions or steps taken to achieve a result.

• The process of baking bread takes time.
• She explained the process of making pizza.
• He followed the process carefully to complete his task.

Process in a sentence

Session

Definition: a period of time dedicated to a specific activity

• We have a study session after school.
• The training session lasted for two hours.
• She enjoyed the art session with friends.

Session in a sentence

Skills

Definition: The abilities or expertise needed to perform tasks.

• He has many skills, including cooking and painting.
• We learn new skills in school every day.
• Her skills in math helped her win the competition.

Techniques

Definition: Methods or ways of doing something, often skillfully.

• He learned new techniques for painting.
• The teacher taught us different reading techniques.
• Using proper techniques can improve your performance.

Understanding

Definition: The ability to comprehend or grasp the meaning of something.

• She has a deep understanding of math concepts.
• Understanding different cultures is important.
• They reached a mutual understanding after talking.

Understanding in a sentence

Solution

Definition: An answer to a problem.

• We need to find a solution to this issue.
• The teacher provided a solution to the math problem.
• There are many solutions to environmental challenges.

Solution in a sentence

Growth

Definition: The process of increasing in size or amount.

• The growth of the plant was surprising.
• His growth as a student is evident.
• Economic growth is important for a country.

Growth in a sentence

Challenge

Definition: A difficult task or situation that requires effort to overcome.

• I accepted the challenge to run a marathon.
• The puzzle was a fun challenge to solve.
• She faced the challenge of learning a new language.

Challenge in a sentence

Reflection

Definition: The image of something that is seen in a mirror or surface; also means careful thought.

• She saw her reflection in the water.
• Reflection helps us learn from our experiences.
• He took time for reflection after the event.

Reflection in a sentence

Feedback

Definition: Information or comments about someone's performance or work.

• The teacher gave feedback on my essay.
• He appreciated the feedback from his peers.
• Constructive feedback helps improve skills.

Feedback in a sentence

Progress

Definition: Forward movement towards a goal; improvement over time.

• She made great progress in her studies this year.
• The team is working to track their progress.
• Progress is essential for personal growth.

Progress in a sentence

Environment

Definition: The natural world around us.

• We should protect our environment.
• The environment is important for all living things.
• Pollution harms the environment.

Environment in a sentence

Cognitive

Definition: Related to mental processes like thinking, learning, and memory.

• Cognitive development is important in early childhood.
• She studied cognitive psychology at university.
• Reading enhances cognitive skills in children.

Cognitive in a sentence

Empathy

Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

• She showed empathy toward her friend's situation.
• Empathy is important for building strong relationships.
• He learned about empathy in his social studies class.

Empathy in a sentence

Resilience

Definition: The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

• Her resilience helped her overcome challenges.
• He admired her resilience during tough times.
• They teach kids about resilience in school.

Resilience in a sentence

Mindfulness

Definition: The practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment; awareness.

• Mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety.
• She practices mindfulness through meditation.
• They learned mindfulness techniques to improve focus.

Mindfulness in a sentence

Assessment

Definition: An evaluation or test to measure knowledge or skills.

• The teacher gave an assessment to check our progress.
• We will have a math assessment next week.
• Assessments help identify areas to improve.

Assessment in a sentence

Intervention

Definition: The act of intervening to prevent or alter a situation; often to improve conditions.

• The teacher's intervention helped the struggling student.
• They discussed intervention strategies in health class.
• The intervention was successful in improving outcomes.

Intervention in a sentence

Motivation

Definition: the reason to act or achieve something

• His motivation to study came from his goals.
• She found motivation in her favorite books.
• Positive feedback can increase motivation.

Motivation in a sentence

Boundaries

Definition: Limits or borders that define an area; the edge of something.

• We should respect the boundaries of others.
• The park has clear boundaries marked by fences.
• Setting boundaries helps maintain healthy relationships.

Trauma

Definition: A deeply distressing or disturbing experience, often related to injury or emotional shock.

• Trauma can have lasting effects on a person's mental health.
• He received care for trauma after the accident.
• Understanding trauma is important for recovery.

Trauma in a sentence

Healing

Definition: the process of becoming healthy again

• The doctor focused on the healing of the wound.
• Meditation can aid in emotional healing.
• She felt a sense of healing after talking to a friend.

Healing in a sentence

Insight

Definition: the ability to understand something deeply

• He gained insight into human behavior.
• Her insight helped solve the problem.
• They discussed the insight gained from the research.

Insight in a sentence

Well-being

Definition: a state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy

• Well-being is important for a balanced life.
• She focuses on her mental well-being through meditation.
• Understanding well-being enhances quality of life.

Well-being in a sentence

Strategies

Definition: Plans or methods for achieving a specific goal.

• The team developed strategies to improve performance.
• She used effective strategies to study for the exam.
• Different strategies can lead to success in business.

Perception

Definition: The way we interpret and understand things based on our senses or experiences.

• Her perception of the situation was different from his.
• Perception can be influenced by many factors.
• Understanding perception helps improve communication.

Perception in a sentence

Adjustment

Definition: A change made to improve or adapt to a situation.

• She made an adjustment to her schedule to fit in more study time.
• He needed an adjustment to his glasses for better vision.
• Understanding adjustment helps in adapting to new environments.

Adjustment in a sentence

Conflict

Definition: A disagreement or struggle between people or ideas.

• The conflict between the two teams was intense.
• They resolved the conflict peacefully.
• He wrote about the conflict in his essay.

Conflict in a sentence

Adaptation

Definition: A change or adjustment made to fit new conditions or environments.

• Adaptation is necessary for survival in nature.
• They studied the adaptation of animals to their habitats.
• Her adaptation to the new school was quick and smooth.

Adaptation in a sentence

Awareness

Definition: Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact; being conscious of something.

• She raised awareness about environmental issues.
• Awareness of mental health is growing.
• He emphasized the need for awareness in the community.

Awareness in a sentence

Encouragement

Definition: Support or confidence given to someone to help them do something.

• Her words of encouragement helped him during the race.
• The team received encouragement from their coach.
• Understanding encouragement is important for building confidence.

Encouragement in a sentence

Transference

Definition: The process of redirecting feelings from one person to another.

• Transference can occur in therapeutic relationships.
• He learned about transference in his psychology course.
• Understanding transference helps in counseling practices.

Transference in a sentence

Countertransference

Definition: A psychological phenomenon where a therapist projects their feelings onto a client.

• Understanding countertransference is important for therapists.
• She learned about countertransference in her training.
• Countertransference can affect the therapeutic process.

Countertransference in a sentence

Therapeutic

Definition: Relating to the healing of disease or the treatment of illness.

• Therapeutic practices can improve mental health.
• She found therapeutic benefits in yoga.
• Therapeutic methods vary for different conditions.

Therapeutic in a sentence

Rapport

Definition: A positive and trusting relationship between people.

• Building rapport is important for effective communication.
• She established rapport with her students quickly.
• Understanding rapport enhances personal and professional interactions.

Rapport in a sentence

Psychoeducation

Definition: educational activities to inform about mental health

• Psychoeducation can empower patients and families.
• The program provides psychoeducation to support recovery.
• She attended a psychoeducation workshop.

Narrative

Definition: a story or account of events

• The narrative of the book was captivating.
• She wrote a narrative about her summer vacation.
• The narrative included many interesting characters.

Narrative in a sentence

Attachment

Definition: A connection or bond to a person or object; also a file sent with an email.

• She has a strong attachment to her childhood toys.
• He sent an attachment with the report.
• The attachment in the email contained the presentation.

Attachment in a sentence

Self-awareness

Definition: The conscious knowledge of one's own character and feelings.

• Self-awareness helps improve personal relationships.
• He worked on his self-awareness through reflection.
• Understanding self-awareness is key to personal development.

Self-awareness in a sentence

Congruence

Definition: the quality of being in agreement or harmony

• There was a congruence between their ideas.
• The teacher emphasized the congruence of math concepts.
• Understanding congruence is important in geometry.

Congruence in a sentence

Validation

Definition: the act of confirming or supporting something

• Validation of the results is crucial for the research.
• She received validation from her peers for her project.
• The process requires validation to ensure accuracy.

Validation in a sentence

Autonomy

Definition: The right or condition of self-government; independence.

• Students value their autonomy in learning.
• The region gained autonomy after negotiations.
• Her autonomy in decision-making was respected.

Autonomy in a sentence

Introspection

Definition: The examination of one's own thoughts and feelings; self-reflection.

• Introspection helps us understand our emotions.
• She took time for introspection after the event.
• Through introspection, he gained insight into his goals.

Introspection in a sentence

Facilitation

Definition: The act of making a process easier.

• Facilitation helps groups reach decisions.
• She took a course in meeting facilitation.
• Good facilitation leads to productive discussions.

Facilitation in a sentence

Psychodynamics

Definition: the study of psychological forces

• Psychodynamics helps understand behavior patterns.
• The course covered the basics of psychodynamics.
• He wrote a paper on psychodynamics in therapy.

Psychodynamics in a sentence

Existential

Definition: Relating to existence or the meaning of life.

• He had an existential crisis after college.
• The book explores existential questions.
• She wrote an essay on existential philosophy.

Existential in a sentence

Neurosis

Definition: A mental disorder characterized by anxiety and emotional distress.

• She was diagnosed with neurosis and received therapy.
• Neurosis can affect how one interacts with others.
• Understanding neurosis helps in mental health discussions.

Neurosis in a sentence

Psychosis

Definition: A serious mental disorder where someone loses touch with reality.

• Psychosis may involve hallucinations or delusions.
• He experienced psychosis during a difficult time in his life.
• Treatment for psychosis often includes therapy and medication.

Psychosis in a sentence

Somatic

Definition: Relating to the body, especially in contrast to the mind.

• Somatic symptoms can affect a person's well-being.
• He studied somatic practices to improve health.
• Her somatic awareness helped her understand her physical state.

Somatic in a sentence

Archetype

Definition: a typical example or model of something

• The hero is an archetype found in many stories.
• She discussed the archetype of the wise old man.
• Understanding archetypes can enhance storytelling.

Archetype in a sentence

Heuristics

Definition: Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making processes.

• Heuristics help people make quick and efficient choices.
• She learned about heuristics in her psychology class.
• Understanding heuristics can improve problem-solving skills.

Heuristics in a sentence

Schema

Definition: A mental structure that organizes knowledge or concepts.

• The schema for the project helped clarify ideas.
• She developed a schema for understanding the topic.
• In psychology, a schema represents how we process information.

Schema in a sentence

Dialectical

Definition: Related to the discussion of ideas or arguments; often involves opposing viewpoints.

• Dialectical thinking helps in understanding complex issues.
• He used a dialectical approach in his debate.
• Understanding dialectical methods is important in philosophy.

Dialectical in a sentence

Authenticity

Definition: The quality of being genuine or real.

• The authenticity of the artifact was confirmed by experts.
• She values the authenticity of local traditions.
• Ensuring authenticity is crucial for cultural heritage.

Authenticity in a sentence

Cathexis

Definition: The process of investing emotional energy in a person or object.

• Her cathexis towards her family was evident.
• He experienced cathexis when he fell in love.
• Cathexis can influence relationships greatly.

Existentialism

Definition: a philosophy that explores individual existence and freedom

• Existentialism emphasizes personal choice and responsibility.
• She studied existentialism in her philosophy class.
• Understanding existentialism can deepen discussions about life.

Existentialism in a sentence

Psychometrics

Definition: The field of study that measures mental capabilities and processes.

• Psychometrics helps assess intelligence and personality.
• She studied psychometrics to understand different learning styles.
• Understanding psychometrics is important in psychology.

Psychometrics in a sentence

Ambivalence

Definition: The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something.

• He felt ambivalence about moving to a new city.
• Her ambivalence showed when she couldn't decide.
• Ambivalence can make decision-making difficult.

Ambivalence in a sentence

Contextualization

Definition: The process of placing something within its context for better understanding.

• Contextualization helps clarify the meaning of events.
• He used contextualization to explain the historical background.
• Learning contextualization enhances comprehension of texts.