Which term describes the treatment of mental disorder by psychological means?

• A. Drug therapy
• B. Psychotherapy
• C. Behavior therapy
• D. Cognitive therapy

Answer: (B)

Treating mental disorders with psychological methods is psychotherapy. This umbrella term covers approaches that rely on talking, counseling, and techniques to influence thoughts, feelings, and behaviors rather than using medications. Within psychotherapy, there are specific forms like behavior therapy, which uses learning principles to change how someone acts, and cognitive therapy, which helps people reconsider and modify unhelpful thought patterns. Drug therapy, in contrast, uses medications to address symptoms, so it sits outside the realm of psychological treatments. That’s why psychotherapy is the best description for treating mental disorders through psychological means.