Psychotherapy is a professional, structured process in which a trained therapist works with a client to reduce distress, improve functioning, and support meaningful change. It is more than supportive conversation: it uses purposeful methods, a therapeutic relationship, and psychological principles to help people understand patterns, build skills, and respond differently to challenges.
This lesson defines psychotherapy, explains how it differs from advice-giving, coaching, and casual talk, and introduces the idea that effective therapy is both relational and evidence-based. It also clarifies the therapist’s role, the client’s role, and the limits of psychotherapy so learners can build a solid foundation for the rest of the course.
Check back — resources for this lesson will appear here.