Psychotherapy is typically administered by a qualified clinical psychologist to a patient and involves using of various methods based on experiential relationship building, dialogue, communication and behavior change that are designed to improve mental health or well being.

Sometimes, it involves the intervention of other trained practitioners in the psychology and medical field such as psychiatrists, marriage counselors, hypnotherapists and even mental health counselors.

In many countries, the standards of practice are governed by a professional board of psychotherapists to ensure the level of standards applied to help patients and clients are at an acceptable level.

The most common form of technique applied by psychotherapists is the spoken conversation model. Patients are typically rested comfortably in a room, lying in a bed and put into a therapeutic environment called the "Frame" where they can freely and comfortably share their deepest personal thoughts and experiences without fear.