touch therapy

treatment that involves touching or manipulating parts of an individual’s body to ease physical pain or to promote relaxation and a general sense of well-being. Touch therapy has been shown to have numerous benefits for children (among others), such as improving the physical and psychological development of preterm infants and bringing about a greater tolerance of touch by children with autism, which has resulted in enhanced bonding and communication with their parents. Also called therapeutic touch. See also complementary and alternative medicine; massage.

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Psychology term of the day

November 28th 2024

indirect method of therapy

a method of conducting therapy, particularly exemplified by client-centered therapy, in which the therapist does not attempt to direct the client’s communication or evaluate the client’s remarks, although he or she may refer back to the client’s remarks or restate them (see restatement).