Mental Health & Wellness Terms

Anxiety A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome. Becomes a disorder when persistent, excessive, and interfering with daily life.

Breathwork Deliberate breathing techniques used to influence physical, mental, and emotional states. Different patterns produce different effects (calming, energizing, etc.).

Burnout A state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by cynicism and feelings of ineffectiveness. Usually results from prolonged stress.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) A structured, evidence-based therapeutic approach focused on identifying and changing unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors.

Cognitive Distortions Systematic errors in thinking that create inaccurate perceptions of reality. Examples include catastrophizing, all-or-nothing thinking, and mind reading.

Compassion Fatigue Emotional and physical exhaustion from caring for others, often experienced by caregivers and helping professionals.

Depression A mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness, loss of interest, and other symptoms. Differs from temporary sadness in duration and intensity.

Dissociation A psychological experience of disconnection from one's thoughts, feelings, surroundings, or sense of identity. Ranges from mild (daydreaming) to severe (dissociative disorders).

Emotional Regulation The ability to manage and respond to emotional experiences in adaptive ways. A skill that can be developed through practice.

Gratitude Practice Intentional focus on noticing and appreciating positive aspects of life. Associated with improved mood and wellbeing.

Grounding Techniques that help bring attention back to the present moment, particularly useful during anxiety or dissociation.

Intrusive Thoughts Unwanted thoughts or images that enter the mind involuntarily. Common in anxiety disorders and OCD, though everyone experiences them occasionally.

Journaling The practice of writing about thoughts, feelings, and experiences as a tool for reflection and emotional processing.

Loving-Kindness Meditation (Metta) A meditation practice focused on cultivating feelings of love and compassion, first for oneself, then extending to others.

Mindfulness The practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment. Both a formal meditation practice and an informal way of being.

Mood Tracking Systematic recording of emotional states over time, used to identify patterns and triggers.

Nervous System The body's electrical communication network. The autonomic nervous system includes the sympathetic (fight/flight) and parasympathetic (rest/digest) branches.

Neuroplasticity The brain's ability to form new neural connections throughout life. The biological basis for learning and change.

Panic Attack A sudden episode of intense fear accompanied by physical symptoms (racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness) even without real danger.

Parasympathetic Nervous System The "rest and digest" branch of the autonomic nervous system. Promotes calm, recovery, and healing.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) A condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events, characterized by intrusive memories, avoidance, and hyperarousal.

Psychosis A mental state involving a disconnection from reality, potentially including hallucinations or delusions. Requires professional treatment.

Reframing The cognitive skill of viewing a situation from a different perspective to change its emotional impact.

Resilience The ability to recover from setbacks, adapt to change, and keep going in the face of adversity. A skill, not a fixed trait.

Rumination Repetitively thinking about the same thoughts, usually negative, without resolution. A common feature of depression and anxiety.

Self-Compassion Treating oneself with kindness and understanding during difficult times, rather than harsh self-judgment.

Self-Talk The internal dialogue we maintain with ourselves. Can be supportive or critical.

Stress Response The body's physiological reaction to perceived threats, involving hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Adaptive short-term, harmful when chronic.

Sympathetic Nervous System The "fight or flight" branch of the autonomic nervous system. Activates during stress or perceived danger.

Thought Record A CBT tool for examining and challenging unhelpful thoughts by systematically analyzing evidence for and against them.

Trigger Any stimulus (event, situation, person, sensation) that initiates an emotional or behavioral response, often related to past experiences.

Vagus Nerve The main nerve of the parasympathetic nervous system, connecting the brain to many organs. Slow breathing and other techniques stimulate it to promote calm.

Meditation & Breathwork Terms

Anchor A point of focus used to stabilize attention during meditation, commonly the breath.

Body Scan A meditation practice involving systematically focusing attention on different parts of the body.

Box Breathing A breathwork pattern: inhale, hold, exhale, hold — each for equal counts (often 4 seconds each).

Diaphragmatic Breathing Deep breathing that engages the diaphragm, causing the belly to rise and fall rather than the chest.

4-7-8 Breathing A breathwork pattern: inhale for 4 counts, hold for 7, exhale for 8. Promotes relaxation.

Guided Meditation Meditation led by a teacher or recording that provides verbal instructions throughout the practice.

Physiological Sigh A double inhale followed by a long exhale. Research shows it rapidly reduces stress.

Sitting Practice Formal meditation done in a seated position, as distinct from walking meditation or informal mindfulness.

AI & Technology Terms

AI Assistant An artificial intelligence system designed to have conversations and help with tasks. Examples include Claude and ChatGPT.

Algorithm A set of rules or instructions a computer follows. In the context of apps, algorithms determine recommendations and personalization.

Chatbot A program designed to simulate conversation. Modern AI chatbots use large language models.

Data Privacy The handling, processing, and protection of personal information. Relevant when using AI tools with sensitive content.

Large Language Model (LLM) The AI technology underlying assistants like Claude and ChatGPT. Trained on text data to generate human-like responses.

Machine Learning A type of AI that improves through experience rather than explicit programming.

Natural Language Processing (NLP) AI technology that enables computers to understand and generate human language.

Prompt The text you provide to an AI to get a response. Better prompts produce better outputs.

Habit & Behavior Change Terms

Accountability Partner Someone who helps you stay committed to your goals through regular check-ins and support.

Cue The trigger that initiates a habit. Part of the habit loop: cue → routine → reward.

Habit Loop The neurological pattern underlying habits: a cue triggers a routine, which delivers a reward.

Habit Stacking Linking a new habit to an existing one. "After I [current habit], I will [new habit]."

Implementation Intention A specific plan for when and where to perform a behavior. "I will [behavior] at [time] in [location]."

Keystone Habit A habit that creates positive ripple effects in other areas of life. Exercise and sleep are common examples.

Streak Consecutive days of completing a habit. Many apps use streaks as motivation.

Support & Treatment Terms

Crisis Line A telephone or text service providing immediate support during mental health emergencies.

Evidence-Based Approaches supported by scientific research demonstrating effectiveness.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) A master's-level mental health professional who provides therapy and case management.

Psychiatrist A medical doctor specializing in mental health who can prescribe medication and provide therapy.

Psychologist A doctoral-level professional specializing in therapy, assessment, and psychological research.

Sliding Scale A fee structure where the cost adjusts based on the client's income or ability to pay.

Telehealth/Teletherapy Mental health services delivered remotely via video call or phone.

Therapist A general term for mental health professionals who provide therapy. Includes psychologists, LCSWs, LPCs, and others.