This form of therapy is commonly known as "Talk Therapy". Psychotherapy is a process whereby psychological problems and personal difficulties are treated through communication and relationship between an individual and a therapist.
While most psychotherapy hinges on communication between the therapist and the individual, it is much more than talking about your problems. While family or friends can help you feel better or even provide good advice for change, this is not psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a professional relationship between a therapist and a client that is based on therapeutic principles, structure and technique. It differs from other relationships in many ways. You can speak to your therapist without having to worry about your information being told to others or in any way affecting your job, family or relationships. You can be honest with your therapist without needing to worry about being judged or criticized. When your therapist asks how you are doing, they truly want to know.
Psychotherapists are trained to understand what you say — your words, how you say them, including the words you do not use. They pay attention to body language and voice tone to fully understand your speech. Having learned about and treated people with your difficulties before, therapists can comprehend your particular problems. They are familiar with the symptoms of various psychiatric illnesses and the difficulties of daily living. A good therapist will even pose questions that you might never have considered asking.