xīnlǐ yīshēng: 心理医生 - Psychologist, Therapist, Psychiatrist

• Keywords: 心理医生, xinli yisheng, Chinese psychologist, Chinese therapist, psychiatrist in China, mental health in China, 看心理医生 (kàn xīnlǐ yīshēng), therapy in Chinese, Chinese for therapist, Chinese mental health terms.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng), the common word for a psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist. This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance regarding mental health in China, and practical usage. Whether you need to talk about stress, find a therapist in China, or simply understand modern Chinese society, mastering “xīnlǐ yīshēng” is a crucial step for any intermediate learner.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): xīn lǐ yī shēng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Essential intermediate vocabulary)
• Concise Definition: A doctor or professional who treats mental or emotional issues; a psychologist, psychiatrist, or therapist.
• In a Nutshell: 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng) is the go-to, general-purpose term for any mental health professional you would talk to, much like how “therapist” is often used in English. It literally translates to “mind-logic doctor.” While more specific terms exist, this is the word you'll hear most often in daily conversation when someone talks about seeing a professional for their mental well-being.

• 心 (xīn): This character originally depicted a human heart. It means “heart,” but also “mind,” “feeling,” and “intention.” It's the core of emotions in Chinese.
• 理 (lǐ): This character means “reason,” “logic,” or “principle.” It refers to the underlying patterns or principles of things.
• 医 (yī): This character means “doctor” or “medicine.”
• 生 (shēng): This character means “life” or “to be born.” When combined with 医 (yī), it forms the common word 医生 (yīshēng), “doctor.”

The characters combine to mean “mind-principle doctor”—a professional who understands the principles of the mind and provides treatment.

The term 心理医生 (xīnlǐ yīshēng) is more than just a job title; it's a window into China's evolving relationship with mental health. Historically, discussing mental struggles was highly taboo, often seen as a personal failing or a family issue to be handled internally. The focus was on endurance (吃苦, chīkǔ - “to eat bitterness”) rather than seeking external help. However, in modern, urban China, this is changing rapidly. The immense pressures of academic competition, intense work culture (like “996”), and rapid social change have made mental wellness a growing concern. Consequently, the concept of seeing a 心理医生 has become much more accepted, especially among younger generations. A key difference from the West is the general nature of the term. In English, there are clear distinctions between a “psychologist” (PhD, talk therapy), a “psychiatrist” (MD, can prescribe medication), and a “therapist” (a broader term). 心理医生 collapses these distinctions in everyday speech. While specific professional terms exist (see “Related Terms”), 心理医生 is the umbrella term used by the general public. This reflects a societal understanding that is still developing its vocabulary and norms around the specifics of mental healthcare. Seeking help is less about finding a specific type of specialist and more about the general act of “seeing a mind doctor.”

心理医生 is a neutral, standard term used in a wide variety of contexts.

• How to say “see a therapist”: The set phrase is 看心理医生 (kàn xīnlǐ yīshēng). The verb 看 (kàn) is the same one used for “seeing a regular doctor” (看医生). Using another verb like `见 (jiàn)` would sound unnatural.
• Common Scenarios: You will hear this term when people discuss dealing with stress (压力, yālì), anxiety (焦虑, jiāolǜ), depression (抑郁, yìyù), or relationship issues.
• Formality: The term is appropriate in almost any situation, from a casual conversation with friends to a more formal discussion or news report. It is the default, respectful term.

• Example 1:
  • 我最近压力很大，想去看看心理医生。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn yālì hěn dà, xiǎng qù kànkan xīnlǐ yīshēng.
  • English: I've been under a lot of stress lately, I'm thinking of going to see a therapist.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and natural way to express the need for mental health support. 看看 (kànkan) is a softened form of 看 (kàn), making it sound more tentative and less like a formal declaration.
• Example 2:
  • 你有没有考虑过找个心理医生聊聊？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu kǎolǜ guò zhǎo ge xīnlǐ yīshēng liáoliao?
  • English: Have you ever considered finding a therapist to talk to?
  • Analysis: A gentle way to suggest therapy to a friend. 聊聊 (liáoliao) means “to have a chat,” which frames the therapy session as a casual, low-pressure conversation.
• Example 3:
  • 她的职业是一名心理医生。
  • Pinyin: Tā de zhíyè shì yī míng xīnlǐ yīshēng.
  • English: Her profession is a psychologist.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence for describing someone's job. 一名 (yī míng) is a formal measure word for people, often used when stating a profession.
• Example 4:
  • 在中国，看心理医生的费用可能不便宜。
  • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, kàn xīnlǐ yīshēng de fèiyòng kěnéng bù piányi.
  • English: In China, the cost of seeing a therapist might not be cheap.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches on the practical reality of mental healthcare access in China.
• Example 5:
  • 很多老一辈的人仍然不相信心理医生。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō lǎo yī bèi de rén réngrán bù xiāngxìn xīnlǐ yīshēng.
  • English: Many people of the older generation still don't trust therapists.
  • Analysis: This highlights the cultural and generational divide in attitudes towards mental health.
• Example 6:
  • 和心理医生谈过之后，我的心情好多了。
  • Pinyin: Hé xīnlǐ yīshēng tánguò zhīhòu, wǒ de xīnqíng hǎo duō le.
  • English: After talking with the therapist, I feel much better.
  • Analysis: A positive testimonial for therapy. 谈过 (tánguò) emphasizes the experience of having talked.
• Example 7:
  • 学校为学生们配备了专业的心理医生。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào wèi xuéshēngmen pèibèi le zhuānyè de xīnlǐ yīshēng.
  • English: The school has equipped students with professional school counselors/psychologists.
  • Analysis: Shows the increasing institutional support for mental health in educational settings.
• Example 8:
  • 他需要心理医生的帮助来克服童年阴影。
  • Pinyin: Tā xūyào xīnlǐ yīshēng de bāngzhù lái kèfú tóngnián yīnyǐng.
  • English: He needs a therapist's help to overcome his childhood trauma.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a more serious context for seeking therapy. 童年阴影 (tóngnián yīnyǐng) literally means “childhood shadow.”
• Example 9:
  • 一位好的心理医生会耐心倾听，而不是直接给出建议。
  • Pinyin: Yī wèi hǎo de xīnlǐ yīshēng huì nàixīn qīngtīng, ér búshì zhíjiē gěichū jiànyì.
  • English: A good therapist will listen patiently instead of immediately giving advice.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the expected qualities and role of a therapist.
• Example 10:
  • 这不是身体上的毛病，你可能需要的是心理医生。
  • Pinyin: Zhè búshì shēntǐ shàng de máobìng, nǐ kěnéng xūyào de shì xīnlǐ yīshēng.
  • English: This isn't a physical ailment; what you might need is a psychotherapist.
  • Analysis: This sentence clearly distinguishes between physical and mental health issues.

• The “Generalist” Trap: The most common pitfall for English speakers is assuming 心理医生 has a one-to-one mapping to “psychologist” or “psychiatrist.” It's a catch-all term. If you need to be specific (e.g., you need medication), you should use a more specific term like 精神科医生 (jīngshénkē yīshēng) for “psychiatrist.” For everyday conversation, however, 心理医生 is almost always the correct choice.
• Incorrect Verb Usage: Do not say `见心理医生 (jiàn xīnlǐ yīshēng)`. While `见 (jiàn)` means “to meet,” the fixed collocation for any medical consultation is 看医生 (kàn yīshēng). Therefore, the correct phrase is 看心理医生 (kàn xīnlǐ yīshēng).
  • Incorrect: 我明天要去见我的心理医生。 (Wǒ míngtiān yào qù jiàn wǒ de xīnlǐ yīshēng.)
  • Correct: 我明天要去看我的心理医生。 (Wǒ míngtiān yào qù kàn wǒ de xīnlǐ yīshēng.)

• 心理咨询师 (xīnlǐ zīxún shī) - Psychological Counselor. A more specific title, often for professionals who provide talk therapy but cannot prescribe medicine. It's closer in meaning to “therapist” or “counselor.”
• 精神科医生 (jīngshénkē yīshēng) - Psychiatrist. This is the specific term for a medical doctor specializing in psychiatry who can diagnose mental illness and prescribe medication.
• 心理学 (xīnlǐxué) - Psychology. The academic field of study.
• 治疗 (zhìliáo) - Treatment; therapy. A general term for any kind of medical treatment, but can be used for psychotherapy, e.g., `心理治疗 (xīnlǐ zhìliáo)`.
• 看医生 (kàn yīshēng) - To see a doctor. The foundational phrase that `看心理医生` is built upon.
• 压力 (yālì) - Stress; pressure. A primary reason someone might see a `心理医生`.
• 焦虑 (jiāolǜ) - Anxiety; anxious. A common feeling or condition discussed with a `心理医生`.
• 抑郁症 (yìyùzhèng) - Depression (the clinical disorder). A specific diagnosis a `精神科医生` might give.
• 情绪 (qíngxù) - Emotions; mood. The general domain that a `心理医生` works with.