Quick Overview: Meditation and psychotherapy are different. Meditation refers to varied mind-and-body practices. Psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, refers to treatments that aim to help people identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. They can overlap because psychotherapy may include mindfulness or relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. The available information does not establish which option, combination, or approach fits any particular person.
When people ask about meditation vs psychotherapy, they may be comparing two terms that sometimes appear together but do not mean the same thing. Clear definitions can help keep that comparison grounded.
Meditation Is a Broad Group of Practices
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes meditation as a term for a variety of practices focused on mind-and-body integration. These practices are used to calm the mind and enhance overall well-being.
Some meditation practices involve maintaining mental focus on a particular sensation. Examples named by the organization include breathing, a sound, a visual image, or a mantra, meaning a repeated word or phrase. Because meditation includes varied practices, the word “meditation” does not by itself identify one single method.
The organization also notes that meditation has a history going back thousands of years and that many meditative techniques began in Eastern traditions. That history does not mean every meditation practice is the same, or that every program using the term teaches the same activities.
Mindfulness Is Related but Not Identical
Mindfulness is one practice that may be included within meditation. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as maintaining attention or awareness on the present moment without making judgments.
This definition distinguishes mindfulness from the broader category of meditation. Meditation can involve mindfulness, but the available definitions do not make the two terms identical. A program that teaches meditation or mindfulness may also combine those practices with other activities.
For example, the organization describes mindfulness-based stress reduction as a program that teaches mindful meditation while also including discussion sessions and other strategies for applying what participants learn to stressful experiences. It also describes mindfulness-based cognitive therapy as integrating mindfulness practices with aspects of cognitive behavioral therapy.
Psychotherapy Is Talk Therapy
The National Institute of Mental Health describes psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. This definition gives psychotherapy a different scope from meditation.
The institute lists several possible elements of psychotherapy. Depending on the approach, these can include examining automatic ways of thinking, developing ways to cope with stress and problem-solving strategies, examining interactions with others, tracking emotions and behaviors, and using supportive counseling to explore troubling issues and receive emotional support.
Psychotherapy can also include mindfulness and relaxation techniques. The National Institute of Mental Health names meditation and breathing exercises as examples of those techniques. Their possible presence in psychotherapy does not make all psychotherapy meditation, and it does not make meditation itself psychotherapy.
Approaches Can Differ
The National Institute of Mental Health states that therapists may use one primary approach or incorporate elements from multiple approaches. It notes that the approach used depends on training and experience, the concern being treated, and the needs of the person receiving treatment.
The institute also explains that there are many types of psychotherapy and that therapies are often variations of an established approach, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. The broad term “talk therapy” therefore does not describe every possible element of a particular approach.
Where Meditation and Psychotherapy Overlap
The overlap between meditation and psychotherapy is specific: psychotherapy may include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and meditation may be one of those techniques. The National Institute of Mental Health identifies meditation and breathing exercises among possible psychotherapy elements.
At the same time, the two definitions retain clear boundaries. Meditation is a category of mind-and-body practices. Psychotherapy is a category of treatments aimed at identifying and changing troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
The supplied sources do not establish that meditation and psychotherapy have the same purpose, follow the same structure, or produce the same result for every person. They also do not establish whether a particular meditation practice or a particular psychotherapy approach will be helpful for an individual.
Research Calls for Careful Interpretation
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that research has examined meditation and mindfulness in relation to anxiety, stress, depression, pain, sleep, and other topics. It also states that much of the research has been preliminary or not scientifically rigorous, that many different practices have been studied, and that findings can be difficult to analyze.
The organization notes that meditation and mindfulness practices are usually considered to have few risks, while also stating that few studies have examined potentially harmful effects and that definite statements about safety are not possible. It reports negative experiences in some studies, including anxiety and depression.
These limits matter when reading broad claims about either meditation or mindfulness. Research findings do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
Reflection Questions for Considering the Difference
| Reflection question | What the available information can clarify |
|---|---|
| What do I mean by “meditation”? | Meditation includes varied mind-and-body practices, so it may help to identify the practice or program being considered. |
| Am I asking about mindfulness? | Mindfulness is described as present-moment awareness without judgment. |
| What do I mean by “psychotherapy”? | Psychotherapy is also called talk therapy and aims to help identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. |
| Am I comparing a practice with a treatment category? | Meditation is a broad practice category; psychotherapy is a treatment category. |
| Could mindfulness appear within talk therapy? | The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
- How do you describe psychotherapy or talk therapy in your practice?
- What approach or approaches do you use?
- Can mindfulness, meditation, or breathing exercises be part of your work?
- What questions would help me consider fit?
- What is the first step for requesting an appointment?
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as a first step for asking questions and considering fit. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the listed contact details or form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is meditation the same as psychotherapy?
No. Meditation refers to varied mind-and-body practices. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, refers to treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.
Can mindfulness be part of psychotherapy?
Yes. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy can include mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
Is mindfulness the same as meditation?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes mindfulness as present-moment awareness without judgment and meditation as a variety of mind-and-body practices. The terms are related, but the provided definitions do not make them identical.
Can a consultation help with questions about fit?
Rooted Integrative Therapy describes a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. The available practice information does not specify what any particular consultation will cover.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- nccih.nih.gov: Meditation And Mindfulness Effectiveness And Safety
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW, offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. To request a consultation or submit an inquiry, visit the Connect page.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.