Therapy is Confusing.
Knowing These Terms Can Help.
GLOSSARY
Talking about the ins and outs of therapy can sometimes feel like listening to a foreign language. There are so many acronyms to wade through. Filing insurance claims can be tedious and overwhelming. And even words that you definitely know seem to be used in very different (and strange) contexts than you’re used to. How ironic, given that therapy is supposed to reduce stress and anxiety.
This glossary is meant to shed some light on the unfamiliar terms you might come across in therapy. Whether you're filing an out-of-network claim or simply want to better understand therapeutic approaches, this glossary is here to help.
Insurance & Billing Terms
The amount you must pay out-of-pocket before your insurance starts covering costs.
Deductible
The percentage of costs you pay after meeting your deductible (e.g., 20% of the session fee).
Co-Insurance
A fixed amount you pay per therapy session if using in-network benefits.
Co-Pay
Coverage for providers not directly contracted with your insurance. You may need to submit claims for reimbursement.
Out-of-Network (OON) Benefits
A detailed receipt from your therapist that includes necessary information for insurance reimbursement.
Superbill
A document from your insurance company explaining what they’ve covered and what you owe.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Approval required by some insurance plans before covering therapy sessions.
Pre-Authorization
The maximum fee an insurance company will consider for a service.
Allowed Amount
The percentage of the session fee your insurance will pay back after you meet your deductible.
Reimbursement Rate
A reduced fee option some therapists offer based on financial need.
Sliding Scale
The maximum fee an insurance company will consider for a service.
Allowed Amount
Therapeutic Approaches & Techniques
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
A structured, evidence-based therapy focused on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns.
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
A therapy blending mindfulness and emotional regulation techniques, often used for borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation.
EMDR
(Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
A trauma-focused therapy using guided eye movements to process distressing memories.
Psychodynamic Therapy
A depth-oriented therapy exploring unconscious patterns, past experiences, and emotional conflicts.
ACT
(Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
A therapy approach that helps clients accept difficult emotions while committing to values-based actions.
IFS (Internal Family Systems)
A therapy that views the mind as made up of different “parts,” working to heal and integrate them.
Somatic Therapy
A body-focused approach that helps release stored trauma and regulate the nervous system.
Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Incorporating mindfulness practices to increase present-moment awareness and reduce stress.
Exposure Therapy
A treatment for anxiety and PTSD that gradually exposes clients to feared situations in a controlled way.
Narrative Therapy
Helps clients reshape their personal stories to foster empowerment and resilience.
Common Therapy Terms & Concepts
Attachment Styles
Patterns of relating to others based on early relationships (e.g., secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized).
Cognitive Distortions
Unhelpful thought patterns (e.g., catastrophizing, black-and-white thinking).
Coping Strategies
Healthy or unhealthy behaviors and actions individuals use to manage stress, emotions, or difficult situations.
Countertransference
When a therapist unconsciously reacts to a client based on their own past experiences.
Defense Mechanisms
Unconscious psychological strategies used to protect oneself from uncomfortable emotions or thoughts (e.g., denial, projection, rationalization).
Dissociation
A disconnection from thoughts, feelings, or surroundings, often a response to trauma.
Gaslighting
Originally a term for intentional psychological manipulation, involving a pattern of distorting reality to make someone doubt their own perceptions (often (mis)used to describe any disagreement or denial).
Holding Space
Providing a supportive, nonjudgmental presence for someone’s emotions.
Narcissist
A clinical personality disorder, not just someone who is selfish or self-absorbed. While narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum, actual Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) is a diagnosable condition with specific criteria.
Parts Work
A therapy approach that acknowledges different inner “parts” or aspects of the self.
Regulation
The ability to manage emotions and return to a calm state after distress.
Transference
When a client unconsciously projects feelings from past relationships onto their therapist.
Window of Tolerance
The optimal emotional state where a person can process emotions without becoming overwhelmed or shut down.
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