Glossary of Therapy and Mental Health Terms: A Plain-Language Guide
Therapy often draws on concepts from psychology, neuroscience, and relational research. While these terms are useful in clinical settings, they are not always explained in everyday language.
Below you can find a plain-language glossary of commonly used therapy, counselling, and mental health terms to support your understand understanding and provide transparency for individuals engaging in therapy or considering counselling services.
Core Therapy Concepts
These terms describe common ideas and experiences that often come up in therapy.
| Term | Definition | How It Commonly Shows Up |
|---|---|---|
| Affect | The observable expression of emotion through tone, facial expression, posture, and movement. | Flat affect, tearfulness, agitation, emotional intensity |
| Attachment | Learned patterns of relating that develop early in life and shape how people seek closeness and safety. | Fear of abandonment, distancing, difficulty trusting |
| Avoidance | Behaviours used to stay away from emotional pain, distressing memories, or situations. | Overworking, distraction, emotional shutdown |
| Boundaries | Emotional, physical, and relational limits that protect a person’s sense of self. | Difficulty saying no, resentment, burnout |
| Co-regulation | Emotional settling that occurs through safe, attuned connection with another person. | Calming when someone listens or stays present |
| Dissociation | A disconnection from thoughts, emotions, body sensations, or surroundings in response to overwhelm. | Numbness, spaciness, feeling unreal |
| Emotional Regulation | The ability to experience emotions without becoming overwhelmed or shutting down. | Staying present during strong feelings |
| Trigger | A stimulus that activates a nervous system response linked to past experience. | Tone of voice, smell, relational dynamic |
| Window of Tolerance | The range in which emotional arousal is manageable and thinking stays accessible. | Outside it: overwhelm or emotional numbness |
Types of Therapy and Approaches
This section outlines different therapy approaches and what they are generally used for.
| Therapy Type | Definition | Common Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) | A structured approach examining how thoughts, emotions, and behaviours influence one another. | Anxiety, depression, phobias |
| Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) | A therapy focused on acceptance, values, and flexible responding rather than symptom control. | Burnout, anxiety, chronic stress |
| EMDR | A trauma therapy that helps distressing memories be reprocessed so they lose emotional charge. | PTSD, childhood trauma |
| Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) | An attachment-based approach focused on emotional bonds and patterns of connection. | Couples therapy, relationship distress |
| Somatic Therapy | An approach that works directly with the body and nervous system to process emotion and trauma. | Trauma, dissociation, chronic stress |
| Psychodynamic Therapy | A depth-oriented approach exploring unconscious patterns and early relational experiences. | Identity, long-term relational issues |
| Internal Family Systems (IFS) | A model that views the psyche as made up of parts, each serving protective roles. | Trauma, shame, self-criticism |
| Integrative Therapy | A flexible approach drawing from multiple modalities based on client needs. | Complex or overlapping concerns |
The Therapy Process and What to Expect
These terms describe how therapy is usually structured and what different stages of the process can involve.
| Term | Definition | Practical Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Intake | The initial phase of therapy focused on understanding history, needs, and goals. | Assessment and orientation |
| Therapeutic Alliance | The collaborative working relationship between client and therapist. | Trust, engagement |
| Pace | The speed at which therapeutic work unfolds. | Too fast can overwhelm |
| Integration | Applying therapeutic insight to daily life and relationships. | Behavioural change |
| Termination | The planned ending of therapy. | Reflection, closure |
Trauma-Related Terms
These terms describe how trauma can affect memory, emotion, and nervous system responses.
| Term | Definition | Clinical Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Developmental Trauma | Repeated emotional or relational trauma occurring during childhood development. | Impacts attachment, regulation, identity |
| Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) | Trauma resulting from prolonged or repeated exposure rather than a single event. | Shame, emotional regulation, relationships |
| Freeze Response | A survival response involving immobility or shutdown when escape feels impossible. | Numbness, indecision |
| Collapse Response | A state of giving up under perceived threat, often mistaken for depression. | Fatigue, hopelessness |
| Implicit Memory | Non-verbal memory stored in sensations, emotions, and reflexes. | Automatic emotional reactions |
About the Vancouver Therapy Collective
The Vancouver Therapy Collective is a small counselling practice based in Kitsilano. We offer in-person counselling in Vancouver and online across BC.
We specialize in offering accessible counselling services to individuals, couples, and families seeking support for a wide range of mental health and life concerns. All therapy is client-centred and delivered with care, professionalism, and attention to each person’s unique context.
Our counselling services are provided by practicum therapists and associates chosen for their skills, experience, and character and closely supervised by highly experienced therapists. We offer both affordable therapy options and full cost options to make counselling within reach to anyone looking for support.
