The term psychotherapy is derived from Ancient Greek psyche ( meaning "breath; spirit; soul") and therapeia "healing; medical treatment"). The Oxford English Dictionary defines it now as "The treatment of disorders of the mind or personality by psychological methods. "The American Psychological Association adopted a resolution on the effectiveness of psychotherapy in 2012 based on a definition developed by John C. Norcross: "Psychotherapy is the informed and intentional application of clinical methods and interpersonal stances derived from established psychological principles for the purpose of assisting people to modify their behaviors, cognitions, emotions, and/or other personal characteristics in directions that the participants deem desirable". Influential editions of a work by psychiatrist Jerome Frank defined psychotherapy as a healing relationship using socially authorized methods in a series of contacts primarily involving words, acts and rituals-regarded as forms of persuasion and rhetoric.

Naveen Jha born on 16th January, 1971 in Silchar, Assam. He is a renowned psycholgist scholar. He has been Distinguished Scholar-Teacher. He completed his bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh, Assam and obtained his Ph.D. degree from Tezpur University, Tezpur, Assam. He is an independent researcher. He has published and supervised research on topics including sociomoral development, political orientation, attitudes toward institutional authority, and reputation management. He teaches a wide range of courses, including social psychology, group dynamics, research methods and introductory psychology. He has a particular interest in open textbooks from a social justice perspective.