Therapies & Treatments Glossary (A–Z)

A calm, plain-language glossary for therapy approaches, treatment terminology, support tools, and common words used in mental health and wellbeing services.

Content note: Some terms relate to distress, trauma, or crisis support. Definitions are written in non-graphic, supportive language. Pause or skip any section that feels too much.

Before therapy

Write your goal in one sentence (even if it’s small).
Ask what sessions look like (structure, homework, pacing).
Ask about confidentiality and your rights.
Bring notes if your mind goes blank under pressure.

During therapy

It’s okay to ask for slower pace or simpler language.
It’s okay to say “I don’t know” or “I need a break.”
Good therapy should feel collaborative, not blaming.
You can request sensory-friendly adjustments.

After therapy

Plan “aftercare” (water, snack, rest, quiet time).
Jot down 1–3 key points (not everything).
Notice emotions that come up later — normal and valid.
Reach out to support if a session stirred heavy feelings.

Language matters:

Instead of “treatment resistant” → “support hasn’t matched needs yet.”
Instead of “non-compliant” → “barriers to access / needs support.”
Instead of “attention seeking” → “help seeking / needs reassurance.”

Types of Therapy (Quick Table)

Use this as a simple guide to what each approach usually focuses on.

Therapy / Approach	Main focus	What it might look like	Best for (examples)
CBT Cognitive Behavioural Therapy	Thoughts, feelings, behaviours	Identify patterns, test new strategies, small practice steps	Anxiety, depression, worry loops, phobias
DBT Dialectical Behaviour Therapy	Emotion regulation + distress tolerance	Skills training, coping tools, crisis planning	Big emotions, self-harm risk, overwhelm, intense stress
ACT Acceptance & Commitment Therapy	Values + flexible thinking	Mindfulness, values work, making room for thoughts	Anxiety, shame, chronic stress, identity work
EMDR Eye Movement Desensitisation & Reprocessing	Trauma memory processing	Guided processing using bilateral stimulation	Trauma/PTSD, distressing memories
Trauma-informed	Safety, control, nervous system	Pacing, consent, grounding, body safety	Trauma history, shutdown, triggers
OT Occupational Therapy	Daily life functioning	Routine supports, sensory tools, energy planning	Neurodivergence, burnout, daily living skills
Speech-Language	Communication support	Social communication, language tools, AAC support	Autism, speech/language differences
Family therapy	Relationships + communication	Shared skills, repair conversations, boundaries	Conflict, support planning, parenting support

Search filters all glossary definitions below in real time.

Letter A

ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy): Therapy focused on values, mindfulness, and building flexible responses to thoughts and feelings. Example: “I can feel anxious and still do what matters to me.”
Aftercare: Support steps after a session or difficult moment (rest, hydration, grounding, check-ins).
Alliance (Therapeutic Alliance): The relationship and trust between you and your therapist — a strong predictor of progress.
Assessment: A structured process to understand needs, goals, and supports that may help.

Letter B

Behavioural Activation: A CBT tool that supports depression by building small, meaningful activities back into life.
Bilateral Stimulation: Left-right stimulation used in some therapies (like EMDR) to support processing.
Brief Intervention: Short-term support focused on one main problem and practical steps.

Letter C

CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy): Therapy that explores how thoughts, feelings, and behaviours influence each other.
Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT): Therapy that helps reduce shame and build self-kindness and emotional safety.
Co-Regulation: Being supported by another person to calm your nervous system (voice, presence, safety cues).
Crisis Plan: A personal plan for high distress: warning signs, coping steps, supports, emergency options.

Letter D

DBT (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy): Skills-based therapy for managing intense emotions and distress more safely.
Distress Tolerance: Skills that help you get through big feelings without making things worse.
Disclosure: Choosing what to share about your mental health/neurodivergence and with whom.

Letter E

EMDR: Trauma therapy that supports processing distressing memories with guided bilateral stimulation.
Exposure Therapy: Gradual, supported practice facing feared situations to reduce anxiety over time.
Emotion Regulation: Skills that help identify, understand, and respond to emotions in a safer way.

Letter F

Family Therapy: Therapy focused on relationships, communication, and shared support planning.
Functional Assessment: Understanding what triggers a behaviour and what it is communicating/trying to achieve.

Letter G

Grounding: Skills that bring you back to the present using senses, movement, breath, or objects.
Goal Setting: Choosing small, realistic steps toward what matters to you.
Group Therapy: Therapy with others, often skills-based (DBT groups, anxiety groups, support groups).

Letter H

Harm Reduction: Approach focused on safety and reducing risk rather than perfection.
Holistic Support: Considering body, mind, environment, relationships, routines, and access needs together.

Letter I

Informed Consent: Understanding options, risks, and benefits — and agreeing freely to treatment.
Interoception: Sensing what is happening inside the body (hunger, thirst, tension, heartbeat).
Intake Session: The first appointment where you share concerns and goals and learn how therapy works.

Letter J

Journaling (Therapeutic): Writing to process feelings, patterns, and needs — can be structured or free-form.

Letter K

Key Worker: A main support person who helps coordinate care (common in community services).

Letter L

Life Skills Support: Practical support for daily living: routines, planning, cooking, hygiene, budgeting.
Limit Setting: Clear boundaries that protect wellbeing and safety in relationships.

Letter M

Mindfulness: Paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and less judgement.
Motivational Interviewing (MI): A supportive approach helping people explore change in a non-judgemental way.
Multidisciplinary Team: Different professionals working together (psychologist, OT, GP, social worker etc.).

Letter N

Nervous System Regulation: Skills that help shift from survival mode toward calmer, safer states.
Non-Directive Counselling: Client-led therapy that follows your pace and focuses on listening and support.

Letter O

Occupational Therapy (OT): Support for everyday functioning, sensory needs, routines, and independence.
Outcome Measures: Tools or questionnaires used to track change over time (not a “test you pass”).

Letter P

Psychoeducation: Learning how the brain, body, and mental health work — and what supports help.
Processing (Therapy Processing): Working through experiences and feelings to reduce distress and build understanding.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR): A calming skill that tenses and relaxes muscles in sequence.

Letter Q

Question Prompts: A prepared list of questions to help you advocate for your needs in sessions.

Letter R

Rapport: Feeling comfortable, understood, and safe with your therapist or support worker.
Referral: A recommendation or request to access a service (GP referral, school referral etc.).
Relapse Prevention Plan: A plan to notice early warning signs and add support sooner.

Letter S

Somatic Therapy: Body-based therapy focusing on nervous system cues, safety, and regulation.
Safety Planning: Steps for staying safe during crisis or high distress.
Session Structure: How a session flows (check-in → focus → tools → wrap-up) — varies by therapist.
Skills Building: Learning practical tools: communication, boundaries, coping, routines.

Letter T

Trauma-Informed Care: Support that prioritises safety, consent, choice, pacing, and empowerment.
Trigger: Something that activates a strong reaction (memory, sensation, fear response).
Treatment Plan: Agreed goals, supports, and next steps (reviewed and adjusted over time).

Letter U

Up-Skilling: Learning new coping or life skills to make things feel more manageable.

Letter V

Values Work: Clarifying what matters to you so choices feel aligned and meaningful.

Letter W

Wraparound Support: Multiple supports working together (school, home, services, health).
Wellbeing Plan: Personal supports for sleep, routines, sensory needs, coping, and connection.

Letter X

X-Plan (Personal shorthand): A personal “backup plan” name some people use for crisis or overwhelm support steps.

Letter Y

Yoga / Movement Therapy (optional): Body-based support that can help regulation, stress reduction, and interoception.

Letter Z

Zones of Regulation (framework): A tool that uses colour zones to help identify states and choose regulation strategies.

Need support?

If you feel unsafe or overwhelmed, reach out to a trusted person or local crisis support. NZ: call/text 1737 any time, or call 111 in an emergency.

Related Glossaries

Glossaries Hub Glossary Index Trauma & Regulation Medical & Clinical Medication & Psychiatry

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