When describing activities intended to improve or increase people’s mental health, I prefer to use the term ‘psychotherapy’ rather than counselling, clinical psychology, pastoral care, psychiatry, or any of the other word-labels attached to such people-helping roles. Let me explain my choice. The reasoning is simple and based on the literal meaning of the word. The first part of the word “psychotherapy” is “psycho…” and it comes from the Greek “psyche” which translates to “soul,” “life,” or “spirit” and can also refer to the “mind” or “self.” The second part of the word is “…therapy” and it comes from the Greek “therapeuo” which means to heal, cure, or restore to health, but also conveys a broader sense of care, service, or devotion to another’s wellbeing, in spirit, soul, body, and circumstances. Put these two Greek concepts together and you have an excellent descriptor of activities and interventions that are intended to promote or advance mental health. Who does psychotherapy? Everyone! We’re looking at a continuum here. At the simple end of the scale, the smile of someone we meet in the street may be experienced as therapeutic, whilst at the opposite end, a traumatised individual with several mental health conditions may require the help of a highly skilled and experienced psychologist. Whether they would use the term or not, psychotherapy is practised by a range of caring professionals including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, pastors and religious leaders, and pastoral carers. Think about your words and actions today. Would others experience them as therapeutic?