Psychotherapy is a type of treatment that can help individuals experiencing a wide array of mental health conditions and emotional challenges. It is an approach for treating mental health issues by talking with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or another mental health provider. Psychotherapy can help individuals cope with stressful life events, the impact of trauma, medical illness or loss such as the death of a loved one, and specific mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety. It can be used as an alternative to or alongside medication and other treatment options. There are several different types of psychotherapy, and some types may work better with certain clinical situations. Psychotherapy can be short-term (a few weeks to months), dealing with more immediate challenges, or long-term (months to years), dealing with longstanding and complex issues. The goals of treatment and duration and frequency of treatment are discussed by the patient and therapist together. Confidentiality is a basic requirement of psychotherapy, and intimate physical contact with a therapist is never appropriate or acceptable.