Psychotherapy is a form of therapy in which a trained professional uses methods based on psychological theories to help a person with psychological problems. One form of psychotherapy, founded by Sigmund Freud, is called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis tries to help the patient bring unconscious conflict into consciousness. The following techniques are used in psychoanalysis: (1) free association, which is used to relax the censorship of the ego; (2) dream interpretation, in which the symbols of the manifest content of dreams are interpreted to reveal their latent content; (3) resistance, which refers to any form of patient opposition to psychoanalysis; (4) transference, which refers to the development of a relatively intense relationship between patient and therapist during therapy; and (5) catharsis, the release of emotional energy related to unconscious conflicts. A new form of psychotherapy, derived from the psychoanalytic tradition is called interpersonal therapy. This type of therapy is used to treat depression by emphasizing the accurate identification of feelings, constructive communication, and improving social relationships.

Humanistic psychotherapists attempt to help the client seek more complete self-awareness to allow the client's inner-directed potential for growth to be realized. One type of humanistic psychotherapy is client-centered therapy. The goal of the client-centered therapist is to create an atmosphere that encourages clients to explore their unsymbolized feelings. Another humanistic approach, Gestalt psychotherapy, helps the individual achieve greater self-awareness by using directive techniques, such as questioning and challenging the client.

Another approach to psychotherapy is called behavior therapy. Behavior therapists help their clients to unlearn abnormal behavior and learn adaptive ways of thinking, feeling, and acting. Among the techniques used by behavior therapists are (1) systematic desensitization and flooding, two commonly used methods of fear reduction; (2) social skills training and developmental skills training, two approaches that teach new, adaptive skills using operant conditioning; (3) assertiveness training, techniques to increase assertive rather than aggressive ways of expressing feelings; and (4) aversive conditioning, a controversial technique that uses unpleasant, negative stimuli to eliminate abnormal habits.

Cognitive therapy assumes that faulty cognitions are the cause of abnormal behavior. Other models of therapy include feminist psychotherapy, which has evolved from the philosophical foundation of feminism. The basic principles of feminist psychotherapy are increasingly being integrated with other forms of therapy.

Group therapy, generally conducted with one or two therapists and four to eight clients, makes efficient use of therapists' time and provides an opportunity for clients to benefit from interactions with each other. Family therapy is a variation of group therapy that attempts to reestablish proper functioning within a family.

Medical therapies are designed to correct a physical condition that is believed to be the cause of a psychological disorder. Medical therapies include drug therapy, electroconvulsive therapy, and psychosurgery.

Community mental health centers emphasize prevention of psychological disturbances.

Professional mental health services are widely available. Many colleges and universities have student counseling or mental health centers. Referrals and board certification are guides in helping to select a professional. Important ethnic and gender inequalities exist in receiving psychological services in the United States.