Whether you’re looking for clarity about your own mental health, supporting someone you care about, or simply want to understand psychological conditions better, this resource is for everyone—children, teens, and adults. The aim is to provide gentle, straightforward explanations for common mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, so you feel empowered and less alone on your journey.

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• First point of contact: If you have concerns about your own or someone else’s mental health, your GP or family doctor is the best place to start. They can listen, advise, and refer you to appropriate support services.

• Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist: Psychologists offer talking therapies and behavioral support. Psychiatrists are medical doctors who diagnose conditions and, when needed, prescribe medication. You might see one or both depending on your needs.

• Support in Workplaces and Communities: Many workplaces, universities, and community centers now have mental health first aiders, well-being coordinators, or peer supporters. They can provide guidance, signposting, and sometimes crisis support.

• School and College Mental Health: For students or young people, professional help can often start with a school counselor, educational psychologist, or student well-being team.

 

This glossary isn’t exhaustive, but it covers many of the most common mental health, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral challenges that people of all ages may face. If you notice symptoms that worry you, seeking early advice is always a wise and caring step.

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Why this glossary exists:
Mental health terms can feel confusing or intimidating, especially when you’re already struggling. This glossary was created to offer comfort, clear information, and supportive guidance—making the language of mental health easier to understand for everyone.

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If You’re Unsure Where to Start

• Your GP or family doctor is always a good first step for assessment and advice.

• If you’re studying or working, check if your school, university, or employer provides mental health support.

• For relationship or day-to-day struggles, talking therapies and support groups can be invaluable too.

 

This glossary aims to gently translate mental health terms into understanding- one kind definition at a time.

This is not medical advice, please contact your GP/Doctor for any medical advice.

If you have questions regarding more resources or would like more details on any entry on this page, please reach out or explore further support.

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Therapy Acronyms Glossary

Below is a compassionate, easy-to-read glossary of common therapy acronyms. Each entry includes a gentle explanation, its main benefits, and which mental health challenges it is often most helpful for. This format is intended to offer clarity, hope, and reassurance—no jargon, only kindness.

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CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

A supportive talking therapy that helps you gently notice and change unhelpful thoughts and habits.
Benefits: Builds coping skills, boosts confidence, and encourages practical steps for daily challenges.
Most Helpful For: Anxiety, depression, OCD, panic disorder, phobias, and stress.

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DBT – Dialectical Behavior Therapy

A therapy combining acceptance and change, teaching you practical tools to cope with overwhelming emotions and develop gentle self-understanding.
Benefits: Reduces emotional extremes, nurtures mindfulness, and supports healthier relationships.
Most Helpful For: Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), self-harm, intense mood swings, trauma recovery.

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ACT – Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Guides you toward accepting difficult feelings and thoughts, encouraging actions based on what matters most to you.
Benefits: Increases psychological flexibility, supports living in the moment, and helps manage emotional pain.
Most Helpful For: Anxiety, depression, chronic pain, OCD, and stress.

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EMDR – Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

A trauma-focused therapy using gentle movements and guided recall to process and heal distressing memories at a safe pace.
Benefits: Eases symptoms of trauma, reduces flashbacks and distress, builds strength around old wounds.
Most Helpful For: PTSD, trauma, grief, phobias, and complex stress.

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PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

A persistent response to trauma, where memories and feelings can feel overwhelming. With gentle support, recovery is always possible.
Most Helpful For: Those who have experienced or witnessed traumatic events.

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GAD – Generalized Anxiety Disorder

An ongoing cycle of worry about many daily things—support and hope can help break the cycle.
Most Helpful For: People struggling with chronic, excessive worry.

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OCD – Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

When intrusive thoughts and repeated behaviors make life harder, with understanding and support, things can improve.
Most Helpful For: Those experiencing obsessions (repetitive thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive actions).

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MDD – Major Depressive Disorder

Deep, ongoing low mood that’s more than sadness. With compassion and right support, small steps forward are possible.
Most Helpful For: Persistent low mood, hopelessness, and loss of interest in life.

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BPD – Borderline Personality Disorder

Marked by deep emotions and relationship struggles—gentle, patient help can bring more stability and kindness.
Most Helpful For: Emotional instability, fears of abandonment, intense relationships.

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SFBT – Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

A future-oriented approach focusing on what’s already working, helping you grow hope and practical solutions.
Benefits: Short-term, empowering, and builds on your existing strengths.
Most Helpful For: Mild-moderate depression, anxiety, problem-solving in everyday life.

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IFS – Internal Family Systems

Views our inner life as a family of “parts”—helping each find understanding and healing.
Benefits: Promotes deep self-compassion, aids with inner struggles and trauma.
Most Helpful For: Trauma, PTSD, complex emotions, self-criticism.

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IPT – Interpersonal Therapy

Focuses on healing and strengthening relationships—both with yourself and others.
Benefits: Boosts social support, helps manage grief, and improves communication.
Most Helpful For: Depression, grief, relationship difficulties.

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ERP – Exposure and Response Prevention

Gently guides you in facing fears step by step, building confidence that you can handle discomfort.
Benefits: Breaks the cycle of avoidance, especially for anxiety and OCD.
Most Helpful For: OCD, phobias, health anxiety.

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RO-DBT – Radically Open Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Offers skills for those who feel overly controlled or perfectionistic, inviting more openness and social connection.
Benefits: Boosts flexibility, nurtures self-acceptance, eases loneliness.
Most Helpful For: Perfectionism, social isolation, certain personality patterns.

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CFT – Compassion-Focused Therapy

A nurturing approach that helps quiet self-criticism and foster gentle self-kindness, using tools from science and compassion practice.
Benefits: Reduces shame, grows self-acceptance, eases inner harshness.
Most Helpful For: Depression, trauma, chronic shame or self-criticism.

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How This Glossary Helps

• You can come here anytime for reassurance or a reminder of what support options exist.

• Each therapy is described in friendly language for comfort and clarity.

• No one is expected to understand or try everything—gentle discovery is encouraged.​

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